Learn English on the job?

Q: I'm a 23-year old recent Journalism graduate. I have been working on Zero Hora Newspaper, the fourth one in circulation in Brazil and the biggest one here in the Southern part of the country, for the last two years. Now that I graduated from college, I'm seeking for opportunities to develop my skills, specially concerning my use of the English language for writing purposes. I've lived in the U.S. during my Senior year in high school, which means I have an American high school diploma and speak English fluently.
I'm very interested in an internship at an American newspaper and for that I count on the Council on International Educational Exchange for all legal and orientational support. I was wondering if you could tell me the possibilities for me to apply to one of your programs or any other thing I can do in order participate, if possible, in the selections.    
Marianne

A: Thanks for your interest in the JobsPage.  I can appreciate your desire to improve your written English skills by working in the U.S., and you may be proposing an avenue I was unaware of for people to come work abroad in the U.S.

The chief obstacles non-citizens run into when you apply to U.S. papers are these:

• Can you get the working visa you need from the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services? As a job-seeker, you will do well to research the question with the BCIS, and offer the prospective employer a hassle-free way to hire you. Employers understandably balk when they face extra costs, a delay of indefinite length and the possibility that they may not, ultimately, even have you start. All ay those fears with research and information.
  
• Are your skills at a level where you can be a big help to the newspaper, rather than "a project" who requires a lot of work? Well-written work will help persuade them to take you. If the experience and perspective you have from your home country is useful in the newspaper's circulation area (maybe there are a lot of immigrants from your country, and your native language will help you uncover their stories), this will help, too.
  
• Another hurdle: What are your long-term intentions? If you plan to return home, a U.S. newspaper might well ask, why should we give this person an opportunity when there are so many Americans who want to break into this business and who plan to stay here? Best of luck.