Summer Internship to USA

Monaghan County Council in collaboration with Project Children is delighted to offer two students from County Monaghan the chance to take part in the Project Children Summer Work & Travel Programme.

The program is heavily subsidized by Project Children to minimize costs to students.

1. Experience the US working environment by interning with a US company for 7 weeks.

2. Experience the US way of life by living with an American host family.

The Programme

The Project Children Summer Work & Travel Programme provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for students from Northern Ireland and Ireland. This seven week ‘cultural exchange’ programme runs each Summer and gives students the chance to immerse themselves in US culture by living and working in the US.

Eligibility:

In order to be eligible for the program, applicants should meet the following criteria. These criteria are formed from Project Children’s Policies, and the regulations relating to the issuance of a J1 visa.

• You must be enrolled as a full time student in third level education for the current academic year.
• You must show a strong association to Co. Monaghan e.g. be a resident of the county or have lived at least 10 years in the county.
• You must hold a valid UK or Republic of Ireland passport. This must be valid until September of the current program year.
• You must be available for interview 7th April 2026.
• You must be available to attend an in-person orientation in Belfast in early May.
• You must be available to travel to the US for the full and uninterrupted length of the program from mid June to mid August. No participant will be released early from the program for exam resits, graduations, etc.
• You must be between the ages of 18 and 24.
• You must have no criminal record.
• You must be willing to have all of your social media profiles set to public view as part of the checks for obtaining a US J1 visa.

Costs:

Covered by Project Children:

• Return flights from Ireland to the US.
• All internal flights within the US.
• Full medical insurance for the duration of your stay in the US.
• Accommodation and food while in the US.
• Travel expenses to and from your internship.
• $200 weekly stipend.
• SEVIS fee and J1 US administration costs.

Covered by Participant:

• Non-refundable program fee of €175 to secure your place if selected.
• $160 J1 processing fee paid directly to the US consulate (subject to change).
• Travel insurance to cover your belongings (optional).
• Spending money.

Post Internship Commitments

To help promote the programme and inspire future participants, successful Monaghan interns will be asked to:

• Attend up to four Monaghan County Council–organised events after returning from the U.S.
• Participate in social media and promotional activities, sharing insights about the internship and their experience.

How to Apply: 

Complete and submit your online application here. You will be required to upload the following during the application:

• A recent photograph.
• A scan of your passport photo page.
• A copy of your CV.
• Proof of your student status.

After the deadline, applications will be shortlisted. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a short informal interview in Monaghan on the week beginning 7th April 2026. Following this, successful candidates will then be selected and matched to the most suitable placement available based on their course of study and their indicated preferences from their application form.

Application Deadline: Tuesday, 24th March 2026