Hospitality and tourism professionals expect university graduates to have jobs that meet industry expectations. Universities have long incorporated foreign placements to develop student competencies and bridge the gap between theoretical experience and industry practice to meet the hospitality industry's standards (Sasam et al., 2015). This study aimed to learn more about hospitality management students' lived experiences in the Student Cultural Exchange and Travel Program (SCETP) in the United States during their international on-the-job training (OJT). The study will follow the descriptive phenomenology in the qualitative research approach utilizing Colaizzi's method, which drew from the experiential learning theory of John Dewey 1938 (Roberts, T. G. 2003). After a one-on-one thorough interview and analysis of a transcribed audio recording of participants, it was observed that there was a common experience during their On-the-Job Training. Moreover, the study revealed that in the experiences of students in their onthe-job training in the USA, seven emergent themes have emerged: these are cultural and environment adjustment; challenges; and family-oriented. For the coping mechanism: focused at work; learned to speak the language, and family is the strength. And for the piece of advice: experiential learning. Each theme was quoted by the participants and was carefully discussed and interpreted by the researchers. The study will serve as the framework for strengthening the internship coordinator's monitoring system and quality of education.