Work and Travel USA is a program of international cultural exchange that allows students from different countries of the world to depart on summer vacations to the United States to work and travel. The primary purpose of the program is to acquaint foreign students with the culture and life of modern America and the distribution of other cultures among its inhabitants.[1]
The founder of the program and its main supervisor is the Department of State, which determines the number of students that have a right to take part each year. Companies that represent the program abroad register students in the program, and help to provide information and get the necessary documents. Also some agencies help program participants to plan their journey to their future place of work, giving the possibility of purchasing international airline tickets on students tariffs.
Contents |
The Department of State conducts the necessary supervision and co-ordination of the program and determines the possible number of program participants annually.
Participants of the program need:
Program Work and Travel is intended for students who wish to familiarize themselves with the culture of the United States and to work during their summer vacation. On the terms of the program, the work placement, conditions and payment are arranged in advance of the trip. On completion of this, students are free to travel throughout the United States.[2]
Candidates do not normally need to have qualification or experience as training will be given at the place of work as necessary. The types of jobs on offer include sales-people, cashiers, hosts and staff in hotels, restaurants or entertainment parks.
Every participant has an additional month to travel in the United States. It may also be possible to get a short visa to visit such countries as Canada or Mexico.
Agencies are representatives of the interests of student candidates. The agencies are engaged in the search for vacancies with sponsors, will organize the vacancies and prepare the necessary documents for participation. Agencies are also engaged in health and safety issues and are available to help solve any problems which may arise for students during their stay in the USA. Examples of agencies are the CAPSE in the UK, Dardanica Work and Travel in Kosovo, Out of the Box Personal Development and Speedwing in Malaysia.
Program Work and Travel operates only in the summer vacation during the five months period from May till the end of September.