A Cultural Exchange: Maintaining The Summer Work Travel Program

The Summer Work Travel Program is a US Department of State-founded initiative that allows international students to live, work, and travel in the United States for up to four months during their summer vacation. The program is designed to facilitate cultural exchange, allowing students to gain insight into American life and culture, improve their English skills, and make friends. To participate, students must be proficient in English, enrolled full-time at an accredited post-secondary educational institution outside the US, and have completed at least one semester of academic study. They must also be pre-placed in a job before arriving in the US, unless they are from a visa waiver country.

Ensure students are proficient in English

Ensuring students are proficient in English is a key aspect of maintaining the Summer Work Travel Program. Here are some strategies to achieve this:

Standardized Tests

Standardized English proficiency tests, such as IELTS, are widely accepted and provide an objective measure of a student's language abilities. These tests assess various components, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing, giving a comprehensive understanding of the student's English proficiency.

Setting Clear Goals

Taking an English proficiency test provides students with a clear goal and helps them track their progress. It gives them a sense of direction and motivation to improve their language skills.

Focus on All Language Skills

English proficiency tests typically evaluate multiple components, such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking. When preparing for these tests, students are encouraged to develop all these skills, ensuring a well-rounded approach to language learning.

Time Management

Language proficiency tests often have strict time limits, which help students improve their time management skills. This skill is transferable to other areas of their academic and professional lives, making it a valuable tool beyond language learning.

Tracking Progress

Language tests provide a structured way to track a student's progress over time. This helps identify strengths and weaknesses, allowing for more focused and effective learning strategies to be implemented.

Access to Online Resources

English is the primary language of online content, with over 50% of websites using English. By improving their English proficiency, students gain access to a wealth of information and resources that can benefit their education, research, and personal development.

Academic and Career Opportunities

Proficiency in English is often a requirement for admission to universities and schools. Additionally, English is the language of business, so a high level of proficiency opens doors to global career opportunities, making students attractive to international companies.

Cultural Exchange and Travel

Improving English proficiency enables students to interact effectively with people from other countries, fostering cultural exchange and understanding. It also makes travelling easier, as English is widely spoken and provides access to a global community.

Personal Development

Learning a language is excellent for cognitive development, improving memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills. It also enables students to make friends worldwide and discover new films, literature, and art.

By implementing these strategies and emphasizing the importance of English proficiency, the Summer Work Travel Program can ensure that students are proficient in English and able to successfully interact and benefit from their cultural exchange experience.

Secure pre-placement employment

To secure pre-placement employment for the Summer Work Travel program, there are several steps and requirements that must be met by both the participants and the sponsors.

Firstly, participants must be enrolled full-time in a college or university course outside the United States and must be actively pursuing a degree or full-time study. They should also have successfully completed at least one semester of post-secondary academic study. Proficiency in English, both written and oral, is mandatory to ensure successful interaction in an English-speaking environment.

Participants from non-Visa Waiver countries must secure pre-placement employment before entering the United States. This can be done through a Summer Work Travel Designated Sponsor, who will provide a DS-2019 form, certifying eligibility for the program and serving as proof of a job offer. This form is required for the embassy appointment and entry into the USA. Sponsors are responsible for adequately screening and selecting participants, conducting interviews, and verifying English proficiency.

For those from Visa Waiver countries, pre-arranged employment is not necessary, but they must possess sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their job search. Sponsors are still required to provide reasonable assistance to these participants in securing employment within one week of their arrival.

Regardless of the participant's origin, sponsors must ensure that all jobs are seasonal or temporary and provide opportunities for cultural exchange and interaction with US citizens. Sponsors are prohibited from placing participants in specific job categories, including domestic work, clinical care, adult entertainment, and positions requiring a license.

Participants should be aware that breaking rules or company policies may result in termination from their job, but this does not mean they are no longer part of the program. They should contact their sponsor immediately to understand the next steps and ensure they are paid up to date.

Overall, securing pre-placement employment for the Summer Work Travel program involves meeting eligibility criteria, utilizing sponsors for job placement, and understanding the job restrictions to ensure a successful cultural exchange experience.

Understand the visa process

The J-1 Summer Work Travel Visa is a government program that allows qualified full-time students to share their cultures and exchange ideas with the people of the United States. The program is run by the US Department of State. To apply for the J-1 Visa, you must first find a Summer Work Travel Designated Sponsor. USIT or SAYIT Travel and CIEE or InterExchange are some of the largest sponsors of the J-1 Summer Work Travel program.

Once you have secured a sponsor, you will need to find a job. All employers hiring J-1 Summer Work Travel participants must demonstrate a seasonal or temporary need for additional staff during the summer season. The positions must be entry-level, unskilled, and require minimal training.

After you have found a suitable job, you will need to submit a job offer from your employer to your J-1 Agency (USIT or SAYIT Travel). The J-1 Agency will then send the job offer to CIEE or InterExchange for vetting. If the job offer is approved, your U.S. sponsor will issue a DS-2019 form and a J-1 visa interview can be scheduled with the U.S. embassy.

In addition to the DS-2019 form, you will also need to complete an online application form (DS-160) and pay the SEVIS and MRV fees. During the visa interview, the Consular Officer will verify that applicants know and understand their rights under the Wilberforce Act.

It is important to note that certain types of jobs are expressly prohibited under the J-1 Summer Work Travel program, including construction/general labour jobs, jobs requiring the operation of a motor vehicle, jobs in a private home (such as childcare or cleaning), and jobs requiring the purchasing of inventory for sale.

Arrange housing

When it comes to arranging housing for the Summer Work Travel program, participants have a few options to consider. Firstly, it is important to note that some employers offer housing for students, so this is worth inquiring about during the hiring process. Even if they do not, employers can still provide valuable information about accommodation costs and recommend places to stay.

Short-term vs Long-term Housing

There are two main types of housing to consider: short-term and long-term. Short-term accommodations are temporary living arrangements while participants look for a permanent place to live. This could include staying in hostels, which offer shared or private rooms and are a great way to meet people from around the world. Hotels and motels are also an option, especially if participants can share rooms to reduce costs. Universities and colleges sometimes offer budget accommodations in their student housing, so it is worth contacting the local student housing office to inquire about availability.

For long-term housing, participants often rent apartments or houses, which may be shared with other students on the program. It is advisable to look for long-term housing options before arriving in the US, as this can provide a more permanent base for the duration of the stay. When choosing a place to live, it is important to consider factors such as safety, proximity to shopping and transit, and the overall feel of the neighborhood. Additionally, participants should think about the commute to work and any associated costs.

Rental Agreements and Roommates

When renting a property, participants will need to sign a lease or rental agreement with a landlord. A month-to-month lease is often preferable as it offers more flexibility. It is crucial to read the rental agreement carefully and understand all the terms, including rental amounts, dates, and any potential penalties for breaking the lease. Having a written and signed agreement protects both the tenant and the landlord.

Sharing a place with roommates is a great way to save money and meet new people. It is important to meet potential roommates beforehand to ensure compatibility and set clear expectations. Discussing topics like chores, privacy, guests, noise levels, and cost-sharing can help create a harmonious living environment.

Useful Resources for Finding Housing

There are several useful resources for finding housing, including online platforms such as Craigslist, Apartmentlist, Apartments, Roommates, and Airbnb. Social media platforms like Facebook can also be useful for connecting with other students looking for roommates. University bulletin boards and local newspapers often have listings for available housing, and it is worth inquiring about subletting options during the summer months. When considering different options, it is essential to be cautious and avoid housing scams that offer suspiciously low rents or require wiring money without a proper contract.

Overall, arranging housing for the Summer Work Travel program involves exploring both short-term and long-term options, understanding rental agreements, considering roommates, and utilizing various resources to find suitable accommodations. By planning ahead and being proactive, participants can secure a comfortable living arrangement for their stay in the US.

Provide support

As a sponsor, you will be the first point of contact for any students requiring support. It is your responsibility to ensure that students are safe, happy, and healthy during their time in the US. Here are some ways you can provide support:

• 24/7 support line: Ensure that students can contact you at any time, day or night, if they have any problems or concerns.
• Housing assistance: Help students find suitable and affordable housing before they arrive in the US.
• Transport advice: Provide information on how to get to and from the airport and their accommodation, as well as local transport options for getting to and from work.
• Job vetting: Ensure that all jobs are suitable and meet the requirements of the program.
• Job fairs: Organise job fairs to help students find employment.
• Visa assistance: Help students with their visa applications and interview processes.
• Cultural advice: Provide information on cultural differences and how to navigate them.
• Social media guidance: Advise students on how to manage their online presence and privacy settings to avoid any issues with employers.
• Emergency assistance: Be prepared to step in and help students in emergency situations, such as if they are fired or have any other serious issues at work.
• Payment support: Help students set up a bank account and ensure they are being paid correctly, including overtime and minimum wage.
• Health insurance: Provide students with information on their health insurance coverage and how to access medical treatment.
• Travel planning: Offer advice and support to students wishing to travel within the US after their work placement has ended.

Frequently asked questions