International Students and Pre-Doctoral Internship: An Interview with Maria Aparcero-Suero

Maria is an international student from Spain. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Psychology at Fordham University. She is currently completing her pre-doctoral internship (forensic track) at Patton State Hospital and will complete her post-doctoral fellowship there during the upcoming training year. Maria joined the Psychology-Law Research Lab at Fordham University in the fall of 2017. Prior to her doctoral studies, she earned a master’s degree in Criminal Justice & Criminology at East Tennessee State University. Her major research interests include forensic assessment, cross-cultural assessment, instrument validation, immigration psycholegal evaluations, feigning, and sexual offending. Maria is an active member of the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services (IAFMHS) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. She also served as the international student representative at Fordham Graduate Student Council for 4 years (2018-2022).
In this interview, Maria discussed unique challenges faced by international students in the preparation of pre-doctoral internship in clinical psychology. Rules and regulations related to international students (e.g., work permit, health insurance) were highlighted during the discussion. The timing of applying for post-doc position as well as seeking employment were also covered.
Below is an outline with timestamp for your convenience:
 
(00:20) Introduction
(07:16) What did you do to be competitive before applying to a clinical psychology program in the U.S.?

• Be familiar with the application system (what is required)
• Don’t be shy to reach out to professors from different programs
• Edit your personal statement and other written materials – ask others for feedback

(12:20) Do you worry about your English not being good enough?

• It is common to feel insecurity about your English as an international student
• You can get better through trial and error

(17:59) What are the things international students need to be mindful of when applying for internship sites?

• Think about what type of forensic site you want (e.g., Jail/prison vs. state hospital)
  • Consider sites that are not purely forensic but have a forensic rotation
  • International students are not eligible to apply for ANY federal-related sites
    • Some sites may mistakenly list that they don’t take international students, it’s a good strategy to reach out and make sure
    • Use the APPIC filter
  • Medical insurance coverage is important
• Seek feedback on your essays and other application materials

(26:50) What do international students need after matching with an internship site?

• Apply for CPT so that you are allowed to work off-campus legally and get paid
  • The acceptance letter needs to include specific information (e.g., duration of employment, stipend, etc.) – tell your internship director so that they can write that letter for you
  • CPT is renewed by semester, meaning you have to apply for it each semester while you are on your internship
  • IMPORTANT: You cannot work the entire year (365 days) or you lose your OPT after graduation. Make sure you will finish the internship site earlier on any official documents (work with your training director so that you can finish the internship by several days earlier).
  • Talk to your international student service at your school about the gap between the end of your spring semester and the end of the internship (typically sometime in the summer) for CPT – your CPT should cover your whole internship period (your program may need to educate them on the 1-year internship requirement)
• Medical insurance
  • Be mindful of any potential lapse in coverage if you use the insurance offered by the internship site
  • Make sure the insurance offered by the internship site has the required coverage for international students – you may consider keeping your medical insurance through your school instead

(38:20) On OPT after internship

• Earliest date you can apply is 90 days before your program end date (i.e., completion of all your requirements, not necessarily the commencement date or the date your degree is conferred) and 60 days after graduation
  • Apply as early as possible
• Graduation date (degree conferral) is different than the commencement ceremony where you walk
• Check with your school when your graduation day is before the end of internship training

(44:00) It is possible to change the clinical psychology program to STEM eligible

• Work with your DCT and office of international student service

(45:58) Plans on applying for jobs after internship year

• Know when your OPT expires
• Look for jobs ASAP (typically while you’re still at internship or postdoc)
  • You need sponsorship to work after your OPT expires

(50:30) On international traveling between the end of your internship and the beginning of your OPT employment

• You can do it but be aware of the risk
• If your OPT is approved while you’re away, someone needs to mail the documents (EAD card) to you for you to get a new visa/reenter the U.S.  

(54:40) Outro