World Heritage USA - International Exchange Program (2025)

Since 1984, the United States Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (World Heritage USA) International Exchange Program (IEP) has worked with heritage partners around the world to provide hands-on training opportunities for emerging cultural heritage professionals. To date, more than 700 interns from over 100 countries have participated in the program. The IEP sends participants from the United States to internship placements abroad and welcomes international participants to placements in the United States, in order to expose the next generation of heritage professionals to global best practices of historic preservation and heritage conservation. In this way, the program encourages the cross-cultural exchange of ideas and practices, enabling hosts and interns to learn from one another and increase their impact in the heritage field.

Internships are approximately 12 weeks in length (including orientation and the final program) and take place during the summer between June and August. World Heritage USA hosts all interns in Washington D.C. for a program orientation at the beginning of the summer. Interns then travel to their various host locations where they complete a 10-week preservation-related project designed by the host organization. At the end of the summer, all interns gather in Washington, D.C. for a final debriefing and farewell program.

IEP projects are varied and correspond to the needs and requirements of the host organizations. The host defines the project to be completed; an internship is not an independent research opportunity. Applicants may indicate a preference for the type of project they wish to be assigned, but must be willing to accept any position which may be located anywhere in the world. Assignments are made on the basis of the best match between the proposed project and the applicant’s background and skills.

The cultural heritage field requires collaboration between people and organizations from different countries, communities, and cultures. In our increasingly interconnected and globalized world, organizations and emerging professionals must analyze and solve heritage problems from a variety of perspectives. By participating in the IEP, interns gain international experience at an early stage in their careers, broadening their worldview and preparing them for success in multicultural environments. In addition to strengthening professional heritage skills, the IEP fosters lifelong relationships between participants and their host organizations, creating a global network of heritage professionals. These connections have resulted in continued collaboration between people, communities, and organizations on heritage projects around the world.

2024 International Exchange Program

World Heritage USA, U.S. National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, is seeking applications for its 2024 International Exchange Program. You can apply as:

• An Intern: a graduate student or emerging professional specializing interested in strengthening professional heritage skills while gaining international experience
• A Host: a heritage organization willing to provide an intern with hands-on training in historic preservation or heritage conservation

Intern Responsibilities

Interns are selected on a competitive basis and are expected to be professional in their behavior and work ethic. Each World Heritage USA IEP Intern agrees to:

• Obtain a visa, if required.
• Maintain valid medical insurance, if required.
• Work a 5-day week, keeping the hours of the regular staff, and participate in staff activities.
• Complete the assigned project(s) within the duration of the internship.
• Discuss any problems with the host organizations supervisor and contact World Heritage USA if resolution is not possible.
• Try to learn as much as possible about the host country’s preservation techniques and philosophies, as well as local culture.
• Complete two evaluations during the program, and one at the end of the program (using online forms provided by World Heritage USA).
• Prepare and present a PowerPoint presentation and companion presentation board of project findings to be delivered at the concluding symposium.

World Heritage USA Responsibilities

To ensure the success of the International Exchange Program. the cross-cultural exchange of ideas and practices, and the development of the next generation of heritage professionals, Wold Heritage USA will:

• Endeavor to place the most capable and suitable candidate with each host organization.
• Allow host organizations to review and approve the selected candidate before placement.
• Coordinate the exchange visitor J-1 visa process for all interns entering the United States. (U.S. interns traveling overseas must arrange for their own visas)
• Obtain temporary travel insurance for all interns for travel to and from their internship location.
• Issue stipend checks to interns in the U.S. on a regular schedule throughout the internship.
• Provide meals and accomodation to all interns during the orientation and final programs in Washington D.C.
• Assist both the intern and host organization staff throughout the internship to ensure that the internship is successful and rewarding.

2025 IEP Schedule: 

Internships are approximately 12 weeks in length (including orientation and the program closing) and take place during the summer between June and August. World Heritage USA hosts all interns in Washington D.C. for a program orientation at the beginning of the summer. Interns then travel to their various host locations where they complete a 10-week preservation-related project designed by the host organization. At the end of the summer, all interns gather in Washington, D.C. for a final debriefing and farewell program.

Important Dates for 2025:

• January 1 – Deadline for Intern Applications
• January 15 – Deadline for Host Applications
• February – March – Interns are matched to hosts; Hosts approve placements; Final selections are made
• March 20 – Deadline for interns to accept placements
• March 29 – All signed agreements in place
• June 12 –14 – Intern orientation in Washington D.C
• June 17 – August 23 – Internship at the host organization
• August 24 – Interns return home
• September 6 – Virtual closing ceremony