ECON 4997/4998 Cross Cultural Work Experiences
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment authorization that makes it possible for an F-1 international student to work off-campus if the work is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study and has a curricular requirement. Economics majors with F-1 status who wish to pursue an internship related to economics outside of their country of citizenship should do the following:
1) Obtain an internship offer. Make sure that your prospective employer is aware that because of employment authorization requirements, you will need the offer letter early enough that you have time to complete the CPT process before your first day of work.
2) Email Prof. Orlov (george.orlov@cornell.edu) a copy of the internship offer letter and your expected graduation date; let him know that you are applying for CPT. The offer letter should include a job description of the work you will do.
- Note: To be eligible for CPT, the internship work must be directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study—that is, it must be directly related to your Economics Major. Please make sure that the offer letter includes sufficient information about the job so that we can make this assessment.
3) After receiving tentative approval from Prof. Orlov, submit the CPT application online through the International Services office. List George Orlov as the approver and go84@cornell.edu as the approver email. Select "employment is required to earn credits for a specific class" as the curricular requirement to qualify for CPT.
4) International Services will review your CPT application and your eligibility and email you to let you know the outcome and provide you with the updated I-20 work authorization.
5) If you are approved for CPT for a fall or winter internship, we will send you a permission code to enroll in ECON 4997, which takes place in the spring semester following your internship. If you are approved for CPT for a spring or summer internship, we will send you a permission code to enroll in ECON 4998, which takes place in the fall semester following your internship. These courses are 1 credit, S/U grading option only, and require you to complete assignments reflecting on your internship.