Taiwan Education Intern Program
Scholarship for Paid Teaching Internships at Schools in the United States
Spend a school year in the United States
The Taiwan Education Intern Program gives Taiwanese students and recent graduates the opportunity to spend 10–12 months at a U.S. elementary or secondary school, gaining hands-on experience in education while experiencing life and culture in the United States.
As an Education Intern, you’ll work alongside U.S. teachers in a STEM or Mandarin language learning environment, build your professional skills, and share Taiwanese culture with your school community.
The program is funded by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taiwan Ministry of Education and administered by Cultural Exchange Network (Cenet).
Applications for the 2027–28 school year are due January 15, 2027.
What You Can Expect
You’ll be matched by Cenet with an accredited U.S. elementary or secondary school for the 2027–28 school year.
During your internship, you will:
- Gain practical experience in a U.S. school
- Work alongside and learn from experienced U.S. educators
- Support STEM education or Mandarin language instruction, depending on your placement
- Develop your teaching, communication, and intercultural skills
- Share Taiwanese language and culture with students and your local community
- Experience daily life in the United States for 10-12 months
This is a training and cultural exchange program, so you will work under the guidance of experienced educators rather than serve as an independent or lead classroom teacher.
How School Placements Work
Interns do not choose their own host schools. Cenet matches selected candidates with host schools based on factors such as the school’s needs, the internship opportunity, and the candidate’s background and qualifications. Candidates will have an opportunity to interview with potential host schools as part of the matching process.
Potential placement locations include the U.S. states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Iowa, California, and Colorado.
Program Costs and Financial Support
Program funding helps make your U.S. experience more affordable.
Covered by the program
Participants receive funding for:
- J-1 visa sponsorship
- Health insurance
- Round-trip airfare, arranged by Cenet
- $800 USD monthly stipend (total $8,000-$9,600 USD)
In addition to the $800 monthly stipend, you will receive compensation from your host school. The amount varis by placement. Together, these funds are intended to help you pay for housing, food, transportation, and other everyday living expenses while you are in the U.S. You should plan to budget carefully, but the program is designed to provide financial support for your basic living costs during your internship.
Participants are responsible for
You should plan to pay for:
- Housing
- Food and other personal living expenses
- The $185 J-1 visa application fee
Housing: Interns are responsible for finding and arranging their own housing, but Cenet and your host school will provide resources and information to help with your search.
Am I Eligible?
Eligibility depends on whether you are applying for a STEM Education or Mandarin Language Teaching internship.
STEM Education Internships
You may be eligible if you are a Taiwanese citizen and meet one of the following requirements:
- You graduated from a Taiwanese university within the past 12 months and hold a Teacher Certificate; or
- You are currently enrolled in a teacher education or postgraduate education-related program and can provide transcripts or other official documentation showing that you have completed STEM education-related coursework.
Mandarin Language Teaching Internships
You may be eligible if you are a Taiwanese citizen and meet one of the following requirements:
- You graduated from a Taiwanese university within the past 12 months and hold a Teacher Certificate; or
- You are enrolled in a Mandarin language teaching degree or related program at a university in Taiwan; or
- You are an undergraduate or graduate student at a university in Taiwan and have completed at least 100 hours of a Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language program offered by a Taiwanese university, with a certificate of completion.
English proficiency
Participants should have intermediate to advanced English skills and be comfortable communicating in an English-speaking school environment.
Application and Program Timeline
Here’s what to expect throughout the application, matching, and preparation process for the 2027–28 program:
January 15, 2027
Application deadline
February 2027
Applicant interviews with the Taiwanese Ministry of Education
March–April 2027
Selected candidates are matched with potential U.S. host schools and participate in interviews with those schools
April–May 2027
Apply for your U.S. J-1 visa with support from Cenet
June–July 2027
Program orientation and pre-arrival preparation. Flight arrangements coordinated by Cenet
Late July 2027
Travel to the United States
Early August 2027
Begin your internship at your host school
Summer 2028
Complete your internship. End date depends on your host school’s calendar
After your internship
You may have an opportunity for additional independent travel in the United States before returning to Taiwan.
Your J-1 Visa and Support from Cenet
To participate in the program, you will travel to the United States on a BridgeUSA J-1 Intern visa, a U.S. visa specifically designed for international training and cultural exchange programs.
Cenet is your official J-1 visa sponsor, and we’ll help you every step of the way. We’ll guide you through the visa sponsorship and application process, help you understand the documents and requirements, and make sure you know what to expect before traveling to the United States.
We’ll also help you prepare for life in the U.S. Before and after you arrive, Cenet provides orientation, resources, and practical information to help you get settled and navigate your experience in the United States.
Ready to Apply?
Applications for the 2027–28 Taiwan Education Intern Program are due January 15, 2027.
Before applying, please review the eligibility requirements above to make sure the program is a good fit for you.
Ready to embark on a new adventure?
Host an Intern from Taiwan
Bring an international educator to your school.
Through the Taiwan Education Intern Program, U.S. elementary and secondary schools can host a talented Taiwanese education student or recent graduate for the 2027–28 school year.
Education Interns spend approximately 10–12 months working alongside U.S.educators, supporting STEM or Mandarin language education while sharing Taiwanese culture with students and the broader school community.
The program is funded by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taiwan Ministry of Education and administered by Cultural Exchange Network (Cenet).
Interested in hosting an intern for 2027–28?
What Can an Education Intern Do?
Education Interns are placed in structured, supervised roles designed to provide hands-on professional experience while supporting your school.
Depending on the placement, an intern may:
- Support classroom insruction and student learning
- Assist with STEM or Mandarin language education
- Work alongside teachers on classroom activities and projects
- Share Taiwanese culture and perspectives with students
- Support international and cross-cultural learning within the school community
Interns participate through the J-1 Intern visa program and are not placed as independent or lead classroom teachers.
Who Are the Interns?
Participants are Taiwanese university students and recent graduates preparing for careers in education.
Candidates meet specific education and training requirements for either STEM Education or Mandarin Language Teaching placements and have intermediate to advanced English skills.
Cenet works with the Taiwan Ministry of Education to identify candidates and then matches qualified candidates with U.S. host schools. Your school will have the opportunity to interview prospective interns before a placement is finalized.
What Does the Program Cover?
Program funding provides significant financial support for participating interns, including:
- J-1 visa sponsorship through Cenet
- Health insurance
- Round-trip airfare
- An $800 monthly stipend
Host schools provide additional compensation to the intern, based on the pay for similar positions at the school.
Interns are responsible for their own housing and personal living expenses.
What Is the Host School's Role?
Host schools provide the intern with a meaningful, supervised educational experience.
Schools should be prepared to:
- Provide a structured internship experience for the full scholarship year
- Identify qualified staff to supervise and mentor the intern
- Provide opportunities for the intern to learn, participate, and contribute
- Provide the required host-school compensation
- Help the intern become familiar with the school and local community
- Provide local information and resources that can help the intern find housing
Cenet handles the J-1 visa sponsorship and provides guidance throughout the process, so your school does not need to navigate the visa program on its own.
Host School Timeline
Here’s what to expect for the 2027–28 school year:
March–April 2027
Interview prospective interns matched with your school by Cenet
Spring–Summer 2027
Confirm your intern placement, complete host school paperwork, and prepare for the intern’s arrival
Late July 2027
Intern arrives in the United States
August 2027
Internship begins at your school
June–August 2028
Internship concludes, depending on your school calendar
Cenet Is Here to Help
Cenet serves as the intern’s official J-1 visa sponsor and supports both your school and the intern throughout the program.
Our goal is to make the process as easy as possible for your school. Cenet guides you through each step, provides clear instructions and resources, and handles the J-1 visa sponsorship so your team can focus on creating a great experience for your intern.
We help with the J-1 sponsorship process, required documentation, program orientation, international travel preparation, and ongoing program support.
Cenet also prepares interns for life in the United States and provides resources and guidance throughout their stay. Your school will have a dedicated partner to answer questions and provide support from placement through the end of the internship.
Interested in Hosting an Intern?
We’ll work with your school to learn about your needs, answer your questions, and determine whether the Taiwan Education Intern Program is a good fit.
Contact Cenet about hosting an Intern today!
Interested in hosting an Intern?
