WEST Program

Program Overview

Program Highlights

WEST—Work, English Study, Travel—is a joint initiative of the Republic of Korea and the U.S. Department of State to promote understanding between our countries. The CDS team looks forward to working with the outstanding Korean students and recent graduates who are selected for WEST!

The CDS WEST program is for young Koreans who want their U.S. experience to take place in a very special location: our home of New York City. Living in New York is the opportunity of a lifetime, and we are very excited to introduce WEST participants to our great city.

CDS WEST participants will complete a language course at Hunter IELI in Manhattan followed by a professional internship lasting up to 12 months, and then will have the opportunity to travel independently throughout the U.S. before returning home.

Please note that the tentative program start date for CDS WEST Round 6 participants, which will appear on all visa documents, is Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Orientation in New York is tentatively scheduled to begin on March 31. Participants should arrange their accommodations accordingly.

CDS will sponsor J-1 visas, facilitate the language program at Hunter IELI, place each participant in a customized internship, organize a seminar program, and serve as participants’ main point of contact for any problems throughout their stay in the U.S. A full list of the services CDS will provide is included.

Why CDS?

CDS International is based in New York City, where our WEST participants will live and study English. We specialize in programs like WEST that focus on building the professional, as well as intercultural, competencies of our participants. With CDS, WEST participants will have the opportunity to participate in seminars and cultural activities with Americans and with students and young professionals from other CDS programs worldwide. We offer personalized service to each of our participants.

Because our New York City office is located a short subway ride from your language school, CDS can get to know you well enough to customize the best possible internship placement for you.