MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has advised students scheduled for internships overseas to abide by the rules and regulations of their would-be host countries.
The CFO raised the need to guide students preparing for internships overseas during a forum it conducted at the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) in Manila.
The Student Globalization Conference, themed “Education Beyond Borders,” was organized by LPU’s College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management (CITHM) in collaboration with the CFO. The CFO said the event was aligned with its core mandate of ensuring the welfare and well-being of all Filipinos departing for overseas opportunities through proper pre-departure education.
Ann Mizer Hernandez, CITHM-Practicum and Internship department chief, underscored the significance of properly guiding students as they embark on global training.
Marita del Rosario-Apattad, CFO's Project Management Division chief, provided crucial details about the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) between the Philippines and the US.
Apattad clarified that the J-1 visa used for these internships was "not a working visa."
She warned participants against unauthorized employment in the US and instructed them to adhere to the activities specified in their DS-2019 documentation.
Apattad said EVP participants were required to return to the Philippines upon completing their program, fulfilling the program's objective of fostering cultural and educational exchange.
