From Pegasus International College in Vietnam to a paid culinary internship at Elliot Park Hotel, Autograph Collection by Marriott International, in downtown Minneapolis, Nguyen Thang (Intake 20, Cookery & Patisserie Programme) is putting his culinary skills into practice on the Sauté / Hot Kitchen line. Through the U.S. J-1 Cultural Exchange Visitor Scheme, Thang is gaining first-hand experience in a professional international kitchen while earning approximately US$3,000 in net monthly income after tax—a valuable step towards his long-term culinary career.

Article Contents:

• Introduction: Culinary Passion & Global Career Opportunities
• Graduate Nguyen Thang’s Internship Point-of-View: From Pegasus To A 5-Star Marriott Autograph Collection International Hotel In The USA
• A Day In The Life Of An Intern: What A Typical Work Day Looks Like At The Elliot Hotel’s Minneapolis Back-of-House Kitchens
• Interview Spotlight: Navigating The Heat Of An International 5-Star Kitchen
• Earnings & Living Expenses: Salary Bands And Cost Of Living For Culinary Interns In The USA
• Professional Career Mindset: Key Advice For Aspiring International Chefs
• Pegasus Culinary Progression Pathway
• FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

A PASSION FOR CUISINE & GLOBAL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Turn Your Passion for Culinary Arts into a Global Career

Dream of building a Culinary career that takes you beyond Vietnam?

At Pegasus International College, the launch of your global career goals begins with professional, hands-on training in Culinary Arts and Baking — developing the practical skills, creativity and confidence to succeed in today’s international Hospitality Industry.

Train to international standards, learn from experienced culinary professionals and gain valuable real-world experience that prepares you for opportunities in professional kitchens, hotels and hospitality destinations around the world.

Here at Pegasus, we help you on your career journey to take you even further. Eligible students can pursue International Internship opportunities in the USA – gaining valuable overseas industry exposure.  This includes the fantastic opportunity to experience an international working environment to build a stronger foundation for your future careers.

Your culinary ambition deserves a bigger stage. Start your journey with Pegasus International College.

 

GRADUATE NGUYEN THANG’S INTERNSHIP POINT-OF-VIEW:  FROM PEGASUS TO A 5-STAR MARRIOTT AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION INTERNATIONAL HOTEL IN THE USA

What if your passion for cooking could take you from the classroom in Vietnam to a professional kitchen in the United States?

In PEGASUS TALK #20, we follow the inspiring journey of Nguyen Thang, a graduate of Pegasus International College’s Cookery & Patisserie Programme (Intake 20), who is turning his culinary training into an exciting international experience!

Today, Thang is completing a Paid Culinary Internship in the USA at Elliot Park Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota — a boutique hotel within Marriott’s distinctive Autograph Collection.

For Thang, this opportunity is about much more than working overseas. Each day brings a new challenge and another opportunity to sharpen his culinary skills, experience the pace and standards of an international professional kitchen, communicate confidently in English and work alongside people from different cultures and backgrounds.

It’s also a chance to step beyond the familiar, become more independent and discover just how far his culinary skills can take him.

Thang started his journey at Pegasus. Where could yours take you?

Discover our Culinary Arts programmes and take your first step towards gaining the skills and experience for your exciting 5-Star Golden International Culinary Career!

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN INTERN IN THE USA: WHAT A TYPICAL WORK DAY LOOKS LIKE AT THE ELLIOT HOTEL’S BACK OF HOUSE (BOH) KITCHENS

Fast-paced, hands-on and full of new experiences — this is a day in the life of a Pegasus Culinary Intern in the USA.

Working the Sauté station at Elliot Park Hotel, every shift is a great chance to sharpen culinary skills, work alongside an international team from different cultures and years of professional experience to teach and share which helps build your confidence to thrive in a professional kitchen.

Learn.  Grow.  Go Global with Pegasus International College.

INTERVIEW SPOTLIGHT: NAVIGATING THE HEAT OF AN INTERNATIONAL 5-STAR KITCHEN

When asked about adapting to the high-intensity environment at Elliot Park Hotel, Thang shared his personal experience for other students to benefit from:

“I have fully adapted to the pace and working environment at Elliot Park Hotel. I can now independently manage an entire service shift without direct supervisory oversight.

My mindset from Day One was that the first three months would set the benchmark for how your colleagues and Head Chefs would view your attitude, capability, and efficiency. By maintaining strict discipline and consistency in my mise en place, I earned the trust of both my Executive Chef and Sous Chef.

Working the Sauté Station (hot kitchen) brings immense pressure regarding speed and accuracy. However, it has allowed me to master main courses, pastas and the hotel’s signature sauces. Receiving compliments for every plate that leaves my station makes all the effort worthwhile!” — Nguyen Thang

Learn more about the Elliot Park Hotel where Nguyen Thang is interning at: https://elliotparkhotel.com/

 

EARNINGS & LIVING EXPENSES: SALARY BANDS AND COST OF LIVING FOR CULINARY INTERNS IN THE USA

A primary focus for prospective international students is the financial aspects including the salary bands of interns and the cost-of-living expenses.  Under the U.S. J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa Scheme, interns receive highly competitive hourly compensation compliant with American labour regulations.

Financial Overview for J-1 Culinary Interns

Financial Indicator	Salary Bands & Cost of Living Estimates
Average Net Monthly Earnings	~$3,000 USD / Per Month (after tax deductions)
Variable Factors	Total monthly working hours, overtime opportunities on weekdays and weekends.
Financial Independence	Fully covers local living costs in Minneapolis with net savings

As Thang noted during his interview:  “My monthly net income is approximately US$3,000 after tax, depending on monthly working hours. This income allows me to comfortably cover all my living expenses in Minneapolis while still being able to put aside savings for my future.” — Nguyen Thang

 

PROFESSIONAL CAREER MINDSET: KEY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING INTERNATIONAL CHEFS

Success in a Global Culinary Career requires more than technical skills – it demands emotional maturity, adaptability, a can-do attitude and the ability to welcome change to flourish in an international environment to boost your future career prospects.

Thang offers practical advice for students seeking international career pathways: “Whether working in Vietnam or abroad, the most vital lesson is to handle feedback professionally rather than taking it personally. In a high-pressure kitchen, critiques are about refining the dish, not attacking your character. Technique can be honed over time, but your attitude and response to pressure dictate your longevity in this industry. To work overseas, you must develop language skills, adaptability and the courage to start fresh. Opportunity opens the door, but your attitude keeps you inside.” — Nguyen Thang

 

PEGASUS CULINARY PROGRESSION PATHWAY

At Pegasus International College, we structure our training model to support lifelong career progression which includes:

At Pegasus International College, we prepare aspiring chefs for more than their first job — we prepare them for the international hospitality industry.

Our Culinary Arts Programmes combine professional cookery skills with specialised culinary English, kitchen discipline and the confidence to adapt to international working environments.

Together with opportunities such as the J-1 Internship Programme in the USA, students can gain valuable real-world experience and take an exciting step towards building their future as international culinary professionals.

Start with Passion.  Train with Purpose.  Go Global with Pegasus.

  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

Q1: What are the eligibility criteria for the paid J-1 Culinary Internship in the USA?

Answer: Candidates must complete:

• An accredited Culinary Arts Programme at Pegasus
• Demonstrate intermediate conversational English during employer and visa interviews
• Fulfill U.S. J-1 Cultural Exchange Scheme health and background check requirements.

For more information about how we support our students in the J1 Programme, please visit our Partner website: https://placement-international.com/. More information on the J1 Programme is available here:  https://j1visa.state.gov/

Q2: How much can a culinary intern earn during a J-1 placement in the USA?

Answer: J-1 culinary interns in the USA typically earn competitive hourly wages. For instance, a Pegasus intern working at a 5-star hotel in Minneapolis earns approximately $3,000 USD per month net (after tax), allowing them to comfortably cover living expenses and accumulate personal savings.

Q3: Can beginners with limited English skills enrol in Pegasus culinary programmes?

Answer: Yes. Pegasus integrates specialized Hospitality & Culinary English modules directly into the practical curriculum, helping students systematically build professional language confidence alongside their technical cooking skills.

The success story of Nguyen Thang demonstrates how international vocational education opens real pathways to global hospitality careers. By combining technical cookery standards, practical English proficiency and structured internship schemes, Pegasus empowers students to build sustainable, high-value careers worldwide.

Are you ready to launch your professional 5-Star Golden Culinary Career journey with Pegasus?

• Consultation & Admissions: Contact Pegasus International College for details on our Culinary Arts & Pastry Programmes and available Scholarship opportunities.
• Online Registration: https://study.pegasus.edu.vn/tuyensinh