STAGE in the usa... where can I...?

Question

hello guys!!! i'm french and i'm chatting from italy... (strange!!!) do you know any web site where my cousin can get a job and work in the states for 1 month with tourism? would it be more simple just to contact a hotel, for example, and ask them if she can work in that hotel at the reception desk? please, anything you have let me know, it is very important, thanks a lot!!! remember: i'm talking about a STAGE and not working there for ever!!! or working there because she'll live there but because she NEEDS to work, for school, i mean!!! thanks again

Answer 1

I'm Swedish and on an Internship in New York at the moment. The hard part is the Visa, but if it's only 4 weeks, she can be in the country on a tourist visa, if she has an EU passport that is.

Regarding finding places, the easiest for her is to locate places where she wants go to, and then call the hotels. Find out who's working with HR and ask for that person. Explain the story and Sell yourself. Ask for an e-mail address and have a CV standing by ready to send the second after you hung up the phone. Do that with lots and lots of places. Eventually she'll find someone who's interested.

A tip is to work the languages, as Europeans usually speak more than one language, while most Americans speak only English, there is an advantage. If your cousin speaks French, perhaps look for an area where a lot of French people travel, and they can use someone who knows the language.

Also bear in mind that most internships in the US are unpaid, and all expenses will have to be covered by herself.
Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 2

Per the previous post, your friend may enter the US on a touristic visa which she can obtain at the airport upon entry to the country, however this does not give her authorization to work in the US. The issue of immigration is a hot topic here of late and employers are becoming increasingly aware of hiring only those with proper credentials such as a resident alien card or work visa. Without a proper visa or applying for resident alien status she will ahve a hard time finding work even for a month.

Answer 3

She will have to obtain a work visa in order to work, even for just a few weeks. A tourist visa does not entitle one to work.

Student Visas
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html

Visa Home Page
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

Immigration Home Page
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/