All CDS participants on J-1 visas are required to submit reports on their training programs to CDS. Participants staying on long-term programs (programs with a duration longer than 6 months) will need to submit reports at the middle and end of the program. Participants staying 6 months or less only need to submit a final report.

Please submit your final report before you return to your home country. All reports must be submitted to CDS, written in English and signed by both you and your immediate supervisor. Participants who are required to submit reports to their universities or other sponsors, need not to submit the CDS report as long as required CDS information is included in the report. Simply send a copy of the report, signed by you and your supervisor.

Content of the Reports

The reports should include both a cultural and a professional evaluation of your program in the U.S. Sample questions are as follows:

Mid-Program Progress Report

What did you do to prepare for your internship? How was your departure and arrival in U.S.A.? How was the "settling in" process (problems and solutions)? What are your responsibilities and what you have learned during your training program thus far? What kind of contact with colleagues do you have and what are your impressions of the workplace? Are you participating in any cross-cultural activities (free time activities, classes attended)? Are there issues with language acquisition? What are your living expenses? Please add any general comments you would like to make.

Final Report

What do you think of the training program from a professional and personal standpoint? Did you take part in any cross-cultural activities (classes attended, etc.)? What were your responsibilities (as above)? What skills did you learn? Do you think that you will be able to apply them in your home country? What career goals have you achieved during your program in the U.S.? Which experiences in the U.S. will be most important to your future employers? What concepts/ideas did you introduce to your U.S. coworkers and/or host company? How did they feel about hosting an international intern? How was your language acquisition? What were your living expenses? Please list 10 impressions that you have of the United States.

Certificate of Participation

CDS will provide a Certificate of Participation to participants who submit both a midterm and a final report. To request your certificate, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope (big enough for the 8 1/2 x 11 inch certificate) along with your final report. Remember to include enough postage for international mail!