How I went to America under the Work and Travel program. Everyday work in the USA according to Work and Travel. Personal experience Word and Travel

I continue to talk about opportunities to travel, including for free. The idea for this article was born after the incredible popularity of my guide to obtaining a Green Card. Since then, I began to cooperate quite closely with the US Embassy in Ukraine in the fight against scammers and deception when obtaining a migration or tourist visa to the United States.

The Work and Travel program attracts a lot of young people, students who want to try an independent life, taste the “American freedom” and perhaps take the first step towards the “American Dream”. In this article I will look in detail at the essence of this program, how to take part in it, earn money and travel without encountering scammers.

So, if you want to learn the nuances of the Work & Travel USA 2017 program, welcome to this article. I hope you can find the information you need and answers to your questions. If not, I’ll be happy to help, ask in the comments.

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What is Work and Travel

The basis of this international program for students from various developing countries is the opportunity for young people to go to the United States, work there, earn some money and travel through the vast expanses of the New World.

The founder of the program and its main regulatory body was and remains the US Congress, which allows for maximum protection against fraud. Unlike many free volunteer trips, here a person receives one important privilege - a visa with a work permit.

Every year, tens of thousands of students from all over the world travel to North America. There they get a job (mostly menial jobs like dishwashers, etc.) for which no special education is required, and where they earn a certain amount of money. After working for several months (and the J-1 visa gives you the right to stay in America for up to 4 months), you can go on a trip. My readers are mostly tourists, and therefore they know that it’s just a fairy tale: driving a powerful American car along ideal roads from state to state, enjoying nature and cities.

The main idea of ​​this exchange is cultural exchange, opportunities for ordinary children from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and other countries to realize themselves and start an independent life.

How to participate

The terms of participation

Not everyone can participate in this program and you need to meet a number of criteria, such as:

  • Know English at a good conversational level (Intermediate school level is sufficient). You can learn English on your own, I’m just writing an article about it
  • Be a student of a state university (students of vocational schools and technical schools cannot participate)
  • Study on a full-time stationary basis
  • Age from 18 to 23 years

If you meet all of the above criteria, great, then you can apply for the program. In return, you receive a visa for 4 months and the opportunity to work in the USA. Based on this, you can plan your trip, work, place of residence, etc.

Decide on the need

Deciding whether or not you need to participate in Work and Travel is one of the main tasks. After all, you must understand that this pleasure is expensive. All the agencies that I have seen promise that you will earn money for travel there. But it’s worth understanding that the average salary you can expect is about $8 per hour. And working 8 hours a day you will receive 1500 - 1600 dollars in a month. And in order to pay for participation in the program, you will have to work two or three jobs.

Why do I take a month's work as an example? In Ukrainian universities, as well as in Russian ones, the majority will hold exams in June. And the student has a maximum of 2 months left (you can participate only during the period when there is no training), of which you want to travel for at least a month. And for what money? Oh, yes, housing and food are also at your expense, they are not provided.

So I will give my opinion:

  • If you want to improve your knowledge of spoken English, break away from your parents for at least a couple of months, and feel like an American, this program is for you. If you have friends or relatives living there who will shelter you, have a place to live and even borrow a car - this is absolutely ideal!
  • If you just want to see a piece of America, it’s better to go on a trip yourself for the same money. Fortunately, you can get to the USA for 300 - 500 dollars, depending on the dates, and with a transfer in Europe (if you have one) it’s even cheaper. Obtaining a US tourist visa is also not difficult; it is issued for 10 years at once. However, it does not allow you to work legally.

If your university exams are held early and you are sure that you can spend more than 2 months in America, then you should also try your luck. After all, how it was... We will regret more about what we didn’t do than about what we did! Go for it!

Find an agency

You probably know that I am a fighter against intermediaries. All these lessons of mine on obtaining a Schengen visa, a US visa or are aimed at ridding people of terrible agencies and intermediaries who deceive their clients in order to profit from their ignorance of the situation. However, in the case of the Work and Travel USA program, you have no other choice. You have to work with an agency that acts as an intermediary between you and the inviting party - the sponsor.

There are hundreds of such agencies. And their name is Legion. I’ll tell you a secret, there isn’t much difference between them. Therefore, I recommend choosing the most popular one in your region.

We immediately point out those who claim to have “connections at the embassy” and ask for too low or too high a price. Those who are trying to sell air tickets for a thousand dollars go there too. Roughly speaking, the task is to find the most adequate agency with which you personally will be pleased to work.

Prepare documents

Everything is quite simple with documents. The fact is that the agency’s services include preparing documents for you, helping you fill out forms, and the like. But you yourself will have to make some efforts.

All the papers that you will collect are your ticket to participate in the program. Take this seriously and never use fake documents or false information. If such a deception is revealed, you risk securing the status of “non-entry” in the United States for ten or two years. Trust me, it's not worth it.

Initially you will need:

  • Copies of all pages of the general passport that contain any marks
  • Copies (at least 3 pieces) of all pages of the passport with any stamps or visas
  • Certificates from the university (2 in English, 2 in state)
  • At least 4 photographs 3x4cm
  • Photo 5x5cm
  • Photo in electronic form 5x5, color, on a white background
  • Copies of all pages of the record book from the place of study
  • Copy of TIN
  • Copy of student ID

In addition, you must complete the DS-2019 form and a letter from the sponsor. The agency should help you with this.

Price and payment for participation

So, as I already said, this pleasure is not cheap. Therefore, if you are traveling with the goal of at least recouping your investment, you need to weigh and think through everything several times. And then get hold of the necessary amount. Here, of course, your loved ones can come to your aid. I don’t recommend taking out a bank loan for such a thing.

How much will participation cost on average?

  • Payment to the intermediary is around $600 - $1200, depending on his “appetites”
  • Consular fee for J-1 visa – $160
  • Search and selection of vacancies – $150 – $350
  • Registration in the SEVIS system - $35
  • Round-trip air ticket - from $700 through an intermediary, or up to $500 if you buy it yourself

Why did I highlight the flight item? The fact is that without exception, all the intermediaries that I found on Google have prices for flights to the USA at least 700 bucks. They also humorously promise “student discounts” that do not exist. However, you and I know very well that even a direct flight from Kyiv or Moscow to the USA rarely exceeds $500. The main thing is to be able to search.

Under no circumstances should you fly with “cash in hand.” You must have at least $500 on your card or bank account in reserve for the first time. It is not uncommon for a student to find out upon arrival that he was denied the job that was agreed upon. You also need to live on something. And eat. I wrote 500 USD because this amount is enough to buy a ticket and return to your homeland if something happens. The more money you have, the calmer you can feel in the States.

Interview

After you find an agency, fill out and send the documents - you will be scheduled for an interview at the US Embassy. You will go there in order to go through a kind of “filter” from unreliable emigrants. All questions will be aimed at ensuring:

  1. You are an independent person and can take care of yourself
  2. You do not intend to violate the laws of the state where you intend to work.
  3. You will return to your homeland after completing the program, rather than remaining in the country illegally
  4. You know English at a sufficient level to work and live in America

There are no universal questions, as well as answers to them. You should have a good knowledge of English and remember the basic information that you can get in preparation for the interview.

Most frequently asked questions:

  • Where are you studying, what course are you in, what subjects did you study in the first semester of your first year, what is your zodiac sign, etc. Don't be surprised, these are basic questions, the purpose of which is to make sure that all the documents you provide are real and contain truthful information.
  • How long do you plan to stay in the USA? Where to work? Why this company \ this direction. What city is your work in? What do you know about this city and state? That is, they will make sure that you understand where you are going and will actually work there.
  • Do you have relatives in the USA? Do your parents live with you? What do they do? What are your plans for the fall? They need to be sure that you will not become an illegal immigrant.
  • How do you understand the proverb ***? Can you tell me the Gimlet Rule? Prove the Pythagorean theorem. Such questions are also not uncommon; they should show how you will react in an unusual situation.
  • The consul can switch to English at any time during the interview. You must at least understand it and be able to put together a worthy answer in your head.

Try to get yourself in order before going to the interview. Get your nails done, wear a decent shirt. No one is talking about a strict or business style... But in a T-shirt and shorts, you most likely will not even be allowed into the embassy itself.

Girls - I’m warning you right away! Short skirts, deep necklines - put aside! The chance of failure increases significantly.

Job

A very important nuance is finding a job. Your work and its conditions, comfort and safety, earnings and mood depend on which vacancy you choose and which employer you find. Therefore it must be taken very seriously.

You can look for a job on your own, or you can entrust this task to an agency for an additional fee. But there is another option, for the most desperate and those who like to “try their luck” - this is looking for work locally. However, it is only suitable for people who can easily and naturally communicate and win over. But without an approved job (Job Offer), you will not be allowed to participate and the embassy will refuse a visa.

The vacancies that are usually offered to students do not require special skills, but it will be very good if you already have experience in a similar field. As a rule, students work:

  • Newspaper and pizza delivery people
  • Lifeguards on the beach
  • Waiters
  • Washing dishes in cafes and restaurants
  • Amusement park and hotel staff
  • Cleaners
  • And so on.

Naturally, you should like and be satisfied with the work. For example, if I were on this program, I would definitely choose to work in national parks. Yes, it’s far from the city and the social circle is smaller... But nature and starry nights are what I love first of all!

Plus, you can get a second job to earn even more money for your travels, rather than just breaking even.

Travel is one of the components of the Work and Travel program

Trips

The program is called “Work and Travel”. Initially, the idea is that after earning extra money, go on a trip to the USA and/or nearby countries (Canada, Mexico). Here it all depends on your desire and financial issue. The States are not a cheap country. A night in suburban motels will cost $80 - $150, depending on the state and proximity to the attraction. An overnight stay near a national park can cost $300, and all the places will be taken.

Public transport, in our understanding, is poorly developed. Buses are quite rare here (I mean intercity), and the price of a bus train or railway is often more expensive than plane tickets. Therefore, it is best to travel between states either by plane or by car. And again the problem is to rent a car for a month - it’s easier to buy your own. Buying your own means also paying its cost, insurance, and so on. Buying a car when traveling for up to 3 months is not profitable, unless you travel in a group of 3 - 4 people and chip in on the cost.

But with all this, it cannot be said that you will not have the opportunity to see America. In the end, there are hitchhiking and that will save you a lot of money.

Answers to frequently asked questions

You can always ask any questions you are interested in in the comments, and I will try to answer them.

Is it possible to travel via Work&Travel if I don’t know English?

No, you must have basic knowledge to communicate with other people and representatives of government and law in the United States. You will be bombarded with an interview at the embassy, ​​which takes place in English.

Can a part-time student take part in this program?

No, only day care.

If I am under 18 years old, what should I do?

Then this program is not for you. On the other hand, there are dozens of others, no less interesting. For example - Flex (not for students in the Russian Federation).

The Work and Travel Program is a cultural international exchange program that brings hundreds of thousands of students from around the world to the United States during the summer holidays, between May and September. The uniqueness of the program is that each student will be able to achieve several goals at the same time: get acquainted with the traditions and culture of the United States, gain international work experience, improve their English language proficiency through daily communication with native speakers and, at the same time, make an exciting trip across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each student will be able to discover their own America by choosing their own travel route through the National Parks of Montana or California, to the breathtaking Grand Canyon, to sleepless Las Vegas, the exotic Hawaiian Islands, and maybe go for a morning jog in Central Park.

Upon completion of work, each student has the right to the second part of the program - travel. The trip can last a maximum of 30 calendar days; each student independently chooses the duration of the trip and its route. A student has the right to immediately go home after finishing work without traveling. During the period of travel, a student does not have the right to work.

In the " " section on our website you will find information about all upcoming Work and Travel program presentations, job fairs (personal interviews with US employers), as well as ongoing competitions.

Requirements for program participant:

1. Full-time (day or evening) studies at the university;

2. Proficiency in English is at least intermediate.

Required documents for the program participant:

1. Program participant application form (from the American sponsor);

2. Resume + photo with a smile 3.5 to 4.5;

3. Certificate from the university in Russian or English;

4. Foreign passport.

Program cost: agency registration fee 13,500 rubles + program cost 1,350 - 1,450 US dollars with job search***, depending on the office you have chosen to enroll in the program. The consular fee of the US Embassy/Consulate ($160) and the mandatory Sevis fee ($35) for the participant of the Sevis fee program ($35), air flight Moscow—New York—Moscow (from 29,000 rubles) are paid separately. For students registering at the office in St. Petersburg, there is a special cost for the program.

*** The program is paid in installments: the first installment of 13,500 rubles is paid at the time of submitting documents and concluding an agreement, the second installment (1,350 - 1,450 USD depending on the city and registration period) is paid after confirmation of the place of work. The consular fee and the US State Department Sevis fee are paid from March to May at the time of submitting documents to the US embassy/consulate; air travel is paid after receiving a visa (the student has the right to buy tickets independently at any convenient time).

Are you a full-time student and don't know what to do during the summer holidays? Then the programWork and Travel- This is what you need. By accepting the terms of the Work and Travel project, you have the opportunity to work in the USA, meet new interesting people and travel. Work is a prerequisite for the program; while in the USA, you must work for at least 2 months, after which you will be given about 30 days to travel around the USA. Having weighed all the contradictions and doubts, having made the final decision to travel to such a wonderful country as the USA, you should tune in to the work process, entertainment travel, new discoveries and positive emotions.

Work and Travel - where to start?

If you have finally decided to take advantage of this unique opportunity that Work and Travel provides, then first of all you need to find a company that will help you collect and prepare all the necessary documents, as well as organize a job search for you, and conclude a contract with the employer . The company providing services for the detailed implementation of the Work and Travel project will answer all your questions related to your trip to the USA. Do not waste time thinking long and hard about participating in Work and Travel, as the number of places is limited and preparing documents takes a lot of time.

Conditions for participation in the Work and Travel program:

  • your age must be at least 18 and not older than 23 years;
  • you are required to study full-time at a university;
  • your English must be at a conversational level.

List of documents for participation in the Work and Travel program

  • international passport;
  • A completed application form;
  • a document from the university at the time of study, confirming your student affiliation with the full-time department of the educational institution.
  • your resume in English;
  • a document from an employer in the United States confirming that you were hired;
  • document from the company organizing the trip;
  • visa.

To practice on Work and Travel program A special visa called J-1 is required, it is designed specifically for students who decide to temporarily go to America to study and work. This visa is valid until November 18th of each year, regardless of whether you arrived on July 1st or November 1st, you will be required to leave the US on November 18th.

One of the most important documents in the Work and Travel project is SEVIS fee, which is issued in the United States. This paper involves entering your personal information into a US database. IN SEVIS fee You should indicate your first and last name, place of residence in the United States, and place of work. Incorrect information will lead to big problems; your visa will be automatically canceled three days after your arrival in the USA and you will be required to leave the USA. If you decide to change your place of residence in the United States, or find another job, under the terms of the Work and Travel program, you must inform the organization where your SEVIS free data was entered within three days.

Working in the USA under the Work and Travel program

By participating in the Work and Travel program, you choose a vacancy from a list of offers or find one yourself. Finding a job on your own is more problematic and takes more time. Your salary will initially depend on the rate and hours worked above the norm. The most popular vacancies for students in the USA are: waiters, tutors, security guards, cleaners, loaders, auxiliary workers, and salespeople.

How much does it cost to participate in the Work and Travel program?

  • $800 - expenses for preparing documents for obtaining a visa, insurance, English language test;
  • $400 - registration in the program;
  • $400 - provision of vacancies for work in the USA;
  • $200 - fee at the US consulate;
  • $750 - air tickets;
  • $500-800 - personal expenses.

Thus, a participant in the Work and Travel program needs to have $3–3.5 thousand. The amount is large, but the participant will be able to work this money at his workplace in the USA, significantly reducing the cost or making his trip free.

1. What is required to participate in the Work and Travel program?

To participate you need:
1) Be a full-time/part-time student at a university
2) Be aged 18-25
3) Know English at a conversational level

2. What level of English is required to participate in the Work and Travel program?

We will check your level during a short interview. We will ask a few simple questions about your hobbies and friends, why you would like to go to America, etc. It is important to us that you understand the questions and be able to answer them. No certificates or perfect English required.

3. Duration of the Work and Travel program?

The earliest start date is May 15th. The latest is June 15. You must complete your work no later than September 15th, and according to the rules of the program, you have another whole month to travel after work!

4. What documents are required to participate in the program?

To participate in the program, the following documents are required:
1) Passport
2) Student ID
3) Foreign passport
4) Certificate from the university
5) Photo 3x4

5. Can I participate in the Work and Travel program if I have an “empty” passport?

Yes you can. The presence or absence of other visas in your passport does not matter.

All questions

6. If I have questions in the US, who should I contact?

While you are in the United States, your American sponsor is in touch with you for the entire period of your stay.

7. What kind of assistance does the American sponsor provide?

An American sponsor is an organization that is located in the United States and is in touch with the student around the clock to provide consulting assistance. The sponsor's responsibilities include resolving issues (disputes) with the employer and the use of health insurance.

8. Do I need to purchase additional health insurance?

No, insurance is already included in the cost of the program and covers treatment bills up to $100,000.

9. Where will I work?

We have many interesting vacancies throughout the United States. According to the rules of the WAT program, students can work exclusively in the service sector, namely in hotels, cafes and restaurants, national parks, water parks, and amusement parks. Possible positions: waiter, buser, amusement park operator, housekeeper, supermarket cashier, ice cream or souvenir seller, barista, lifeguard, cook assistant, kitchen worker, dishwasher. It is also worth noting that working in large cities under the Work and Travel program is prohibited, so most work for students is offered in resort towns and centers in America.

10. Can I choose the place where I will work? State?

Yes, we provide students with several options to choose from, but this is a choice among employers, not among states. In the job description, you can see in advance the proposed salary, the place where you will work and the duties that will need to be performed for this position.

11. Is it possible to work in New York or Los Angeles?

12. Can I go with friends to the same place?

You can. If your company has up to 5 people, we will easily arrange everyone with one employer!

13. How much will I earn?

The salary from your main job will be more than enough for comfortable living, food and entertainment. Average earnings at the main job are from $1,200 to $2,000. If you wish, you can get a second job if it does not interfere with your main one.

14. Where will I live?

Most employers provide housing themselves. This means that when choosing a job, you will already know in advance all the necessary information regarding housing. If the employer does not provide housing, we do everything in our power to help you find it, namely: we provide information on housing that we have (rental sites, contacts of those who can suggest and help), contact with students who have already been to this place - they will probably be able to tell you about all the possible accommodation options. Often, even if the employer does not provide housing, he assists in finding it.
The American sponsor also provides accommodation options for students, but you will need to negotiate with the housing owner yourself.

15. How much money should you take with you?

This question is very individual, everything will depend on where exactly you will go, whether you will need to get to work by bus or by domestic flight, whether you plan to spend a couple of days in some large city and only then go to your employer, how much money will be needed immediately pay upon check-in when you arrive at the place - all these factors will ultimately affect the amount that you decide to take with you. According to statistics, students take with them from 500 to 1000 dollars, but we recommend taking at least $800. The amount that the student takes with him should be enough for literally the first 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, the student will receive his first pay check.

16. Does the program pay for itself?

Yes. The program fully pays for itself if the student works an average number of working hours (40 per week) at 1 job.

17. What should I do about passing the session early?

Each student has the right to pass the session early, subject to a valid reason. International exchange programs are a valid reason, but it also depends on your relationship with the dean's office and lecture attendance statistics. Try not to miss it, and you will be able to come to an agreement without any problems.

18. Do you provide any certificate for the university?

Yes. We provide our students with an official document (certificate) stating that the student is a participant in an international exchange. The certificate is issued on our letterhead.

19. Is it possible to register remotely if you are in a city where there is no Startravel office?

Yes. It's not difficult at all. All you need to do is contact the nearest office via Skype and have an interview!

20. Until what date can I apply for the Work and Travel program?

The last 10 days of summer discount on the program is $100! Hurry up to register in August!

to the Work and Travel USA program in Russia for students

Registration for the Work and Travel USA program for students of Russian universities begins in September and ends in April. Its duration is 4 months (from May to September) - an excellent opportunity to get a summer job in the USA.

With ALT you always have a choice on how to find a suitable job in the USA:

  • Find the desired job vacancy in the USA on your own, saving significantly;
  • Use the option by choosing one of the sponsorship work invitations.

We have created and are constantly updating it, access to which is open to all ALT participants. The vacancy database will help you find summer work in the USA for students.

Have you already been on the program? Tell us about it and get $100 for a visa! It doesn’t matter to us which organization you traveled through in the past. Everyone learns from mistakes)