AS A PROSPECTIVE HOLLAND IN THE VALLEY FELLOW I INTEND TO SECURE A PAID INTERNSHIP POSITION AT A US COMPANY AND UTILIZE MY SKILLSET AND CAPABILITIES IN AN INTERN ROLE STARTING FALL 2024


What are the details of employment in this program?

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Who is a Holland in the Valley Fellow?

A Holland in the Valley Fellow is someone who successfully secured an internship through the Internships in the Valley (IITV) Program. (click for details)

The Program is part of the Holland in the Valley network, which connects and supports over 5,000 Dutch professionals who work and live in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. The Program itself is a unique triple helix initiative between government, industry, and academia, due to its support by the Consulate General of The Netherlands in San Francisco, the Universities of The Netherlands (UNL) association, and the Netherland-America Foundation (NAF).

What is the framework of the IITV Program?

IITV’s mission is to connect highly qualified students from Dutch universities with innovative companies offering internships in the U.S. (click for details)

The Program provides the students and recent graduates with guidance and coaching to successfully secure an internship placement in the United States, through the type J-1 visa which allows up to 12 months of residency and legal status to work. Besides this, the partner of the Program, the NAF is a local representative of the visa sponsor CIEE and can initiate applications for students in the Netherlands and provide one-to-one assistance to them.

Will a Fellow now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status?

Due to each company’s different policies for international interns the answer is not a simple yes or no. (click for details)

A Holland in the Valley Fellow will receive visa sponsorship from CIEE who provide legal authorization to work in the United States under the type J-1 visa. However, the host company must develop a training plan for the internship to participate in the program and must cover the J-1 visa processing fees of the intern. After the internship, the Fellow will require sponsorship if the company intends to employ the Fellow as a full-time colleague in the future.

What tangible advantages can employing an international graduate from a Dutch university bring to a US company?

Hiring an international graduate from a Dutch university through the Internships in the Valley Program can bring several tangible benefits to a US company. (click for details)
  • The candidate brings a distinctive global perspective and cultural diversity to the workplace, fostering creativity and innovation that positively impacts problem-solving capabilities.
  • The outstanding quality of education in the Netherlands, marked by a strong emphasis on practical skills, innovation, and critical thinking, ensures the graduate’s potential to contribute valuable insights to the team.
  • Adaptability, resilience, and strong interpersonal skills, honed through living and working in a foreign country, make the graduate an asset for any innovative company.
  • Participation in the Program and the direct connection to the Consulate General of The Netherlands in San Francisco brings opportunities for the company for expanding its global network, potentially leading to new partnerships, clients, or collaborations facilitated by the graduate’s connections, experiences and participation in the Program.
  • Additionally, the graduate’s alignment with Dutch professional traits, such as a strong work ethic, punctuality, and professionalism, amplifies the benefits to the US company.

What companies are already partners of the IITV Program?

Globally well-known American and international companies as well as upcoming startups both like to partner up with the IITV Program. (click for details)

Companies such as BOSCH, Handelsbanken, Applied Materials, LinkedIn or the NASA Ames Research Center and startups such as Insitro, Cuberg, Stochastic and d-Matrix have already partnered up with the IITV Program and have welcomed graduates from the Netherlands through the Program with high overall satisfaction.

Why is Adam Brandisz a perfect candidate for my company?

As a prospective Holland in the Valley Fellow, I bring to the table a dynamic skill set and a resilient, cooperative mindset that positions me as an ideal candidate for a US company. In my professional journey, I have honed my versatility as a problem solver, navigating both corporate landscapes and student associations. Each experience, be it a professional setback or an academic triumph, has been an opportunity for my personal growth and development. At 23, I cultivated guiding values that prioritize community, self-care, personal well-being, and the welfare of those around me. Committed to going above and beyond, when necessary, I consistently dedicate the energy required to tackle challenges head-on.

My passion for networks and cooperation, coupled with a creative mind, aligns seamlessly with the objectives of the Internships in the Valley Program. Intending to secure a paid internship position at a US company starting in Fall 2024, I aspire to leverage my strengths, versatility, and resilience within the internship framework.

In pursuit of this goal, I am particularly interested in positions such as Founder Associate, Sales and Account Manager, Business Development Intern, Community Management Intern, Operations Intern, and Project Management Intern. However, these roles are suggestive rather than restrictive, providing a glimpse into the various capacities in which I envision contributing to the organization.

Being a Holland in the Valley Fellow means more than just securing an internship; it signifies becoming part of a unique triple helix initiative that connects and supports Dutch professionals in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. The Internships in the Valley Program, supported by the Consulate General of The Netherlands in San Francisco, the Universities of The Netherlands (UNL) association, and the Netherland-America Foundation (NAF), provides a comprehensive framework for personal and professional growth.

The Internships in the Valley Program facilitates connections between highly qualified Dutch students, like myself, and innovative US companies. With guidance and coaching, the program supports the successful placement of interns in the United States through the type J-1 visa program. This not only allows for up to 12 months of residency and legal work status but also provides a unique opportunity for companies to tap into global perspectives and diverse skill sets.

As a candidate, I offer a distinctive global perspective and cultural diversity that can foster creativity and innovation within the workplace. My education in the Netherlands has equipped me with practical skills, innovation, and critical thinking, ensuring that I bring valuable insights to any team. Having lived and worked in a foreign country, I possess adaptability, resilience, and strong interpersonal skills, making me an asset to any innovative company.

Furthermore, the direct connection to the Consulate General of The Netherlands in San Francisco and the Program’s association with CIEE for visa sponsorship underscores the credibility and support that comes with being a Holland in the Valley Fellow. This not only lowers the barriers to employ me through the Program, but also opens doors for the company to expand its global network and brings opportunities for new partnerships, clients, or collaborations facilitated by my and the Consulate’s connections and experiences.

In summary, I am a perfect candidate for a US company because I embody a blend of global perspective, cultural diversity, strong work ethic, and adaptability. My intention to become a Holland in the Valley Fellow and my experiences, values, and skills make me an ideal fit for a forward-thinking and innovative company based in the United States of America.

ADAM BRANDISZ