Work and Travel USA 2008/2009

Introduction to Work and Travel USA 2008/2009

Work & Travel USA is, as its name suggests, an exchange visitor programme that gives you the opportunity to work and travel in the United States. As a participant, you’ll have a unique chance to experience life in the U.S. as more than just a tourist. You will also be able to share your own traditions and culture with the American people, as well as other international students.

Once you meet the requirements of the programme and you’re accepted, Global choices will do the following:
• First, we will provide you with the proper documents so you can obtain a visa;
• Second, we guarantee you a job offer, which generally includes pre-arranged, affordable housing;
• Third, you will get further information regarding the parameters of the Work & Travel programme and living and working in the U.S.

Work placement details

During the summer, you will work side by side with your U.S. counterparts at temporary entry-level jobs. It allows you to earn modest spending money and, at the same time, offset some living and travel expenses during your stay. After finishing your work commitment, you have an optional travel period to sightsee and further explore the American landscape.

Type of Job

Our programme has a number of job positions available, usually in the following industries:

• Amusement parks;
• Food and beverage retail concessions;
• Retail stores/shops in tourist towns;
• National parks;
• Ski resorts.

The positions that are generally available include:

• Lifeguard;
• Housekeeping/maids;
• Amusement park/national park/ski resort crewmembers. May include ride operating, ticket taking, food service, etc.;
• Painters;
• Landscaping;
• Janitor.

We are looking to place each participant in a job or position based upon interest and skills. However, it is very important that you are flexible about the type of work you will be doing.

There are certain restrictions as to what you can do. You may not be employed as a domestic employee in U.S. households or in a position that requires you to invest your own money to provide yourself with the inventory for the purpose of the door-to-door sales.

Job Locations

Most of the jobs are located throughout the United States in isolated resort areas, not in city centres. This does not mean that there aren’t interesting people in these areas or that there is nothing to do. You will be with people from the U.S. and with other international students who are either working or vacationing nearby. Instead of focusing on urban nightlife and parties in your free time, you will have the opportunity to explore local areas of natural beauty and tourist attractions.

Duration of employment/ work commitment

The Work & Travel USA programme allows you to work up to 4 months during your university vacation, after which you are allowed to travel up to 1 month within US. You must be available for work for at least 3 months in order to participate in our programme, though. We need to know the start and end dates you are available to work. These dates will determine which jobs are available for you as they have to correspond with those indicated on the Job Description Document.

Pay

The salary you will get should cover the cost of living and enable you to save some extra money to help reduce travel expenses. With a Global Choices job, you can generally expect a 6-8 hour workday and a 5-6 day workweek; you will probably be working 35-40 hours a week. You can expect to receive the Federal minimum wage. This amounts to $5.15 per hour in non-tipped positions and at least $2.13 per hour in tipped positions.

Our partners in the USA take great care to make sure that all job offers provide a fair wage in relation to the cost of living in the area. Applicants should also keep in mind that most jobs are dependent upon tourist activity. Employees are generally paid every two weeks. Depending on when you start your job, you may not to receive your first pay for the first 3-4 weeks. We recommend having at least $600-700 USD upon arrival above the cost of travel to jour job, first month’s rent, and a security deposit for housing, if applicable.

Please, remember that the goal of the Global Choices Work & Travel programme is to provide a cultural exchange. The knowledge and experiences that you gain from this programme will be the result of your own efforts and enthusiasm. Your summer will be what you make of it - so make it great!

Do not hesitate to contact our staff should you have any questions.