Work and Travel U.S.A.

Statue of Liberty, New York City, NY

• What is Work and Travel USA?
• What Does WISE Abroad Give You as a Participant?
• What are the Eligibility Requirements?
• Finding a Job
• Finding Housing
• How Do I Apply?

What is Work and Travel USA?

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA

Work and Travel USA allows international students to discover life in the United States of America with great flexibility and at an affordable cost.  The Work and Travel Program is designed for the purpose of giving overseas students a chance to become more than typical tourists by having firsthand experiences in the U.S. working with U.S. citizens in temporary employment.  Most importantly you earn money while you "Discover America and Yourself".

Through out the Work and Travel USA Program you can work in a variety of jobs in the U.S. for a period not to exceed four months during your summer vacation. This program allows you to immerse yourself in American culture, earn money, enhance your resume or curriculum vitae, develop life-long friendships, help you gain self confidence and personal skills, discover fascinating places, and act as a student representative of your home country.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

WISE Abroad offers the Work and Travel USA program in partnership with YMCA to assist with visa permits for the J-1 visa program.  As your program sponsor, WISE Abroad will assist you in preparing your travel experience, obtain all your required work documents, and provide you with emergency service assistance throughout your program.

Back to the top

What Does WISE Abroad Give You as a Participant?

• Internet based services for participants, including details on finding employment and lodging in the US.
• The DS-2019 certificate of eligibility required to apply for the J-1 visa, which authorizes participants to work legally in the USA.
• Assist you with comprehensive insurance coverage as required by the US Government.
• Pre-departure and post-arrival orientations that cover practical information about living and working in the US.
• Support and emergency assistance from WISE Abroad's Texas office throughout the participant's stay in the US.
• A participant handbook.

Back to the top

What are the Eligibility Requirements?

The US State Department guidelines require that "the selection will be limited to bona fide university students screened for maturity and ability to get maximum benefit from Summer Travel/Work Programs."  To be eligible for the Work & Travel USA program, you must:

1. Be between 18 and 30 years old, in accordance to WISE Abroad rules.
2. Be registered as a full-time student at an accredited university or other state-recognized institution of post-secondary education.  The degree/diploma course that you are registered for must be at least 2 years in duration.  Students pursuing post-graduate courses, such as masters courses, are also eligible, but these degrees must be no greater than two years in duration.  High school graduates who been accepted to an accredited university are eligible to apply.
3. Be skillful enough in the English language to adequately communicate in an English-speaking work environment.  Program candidates will be assessed for intermediate/advanced English level skills.  We recommend you have your college or certified English instructor complete the English Proficiency and Reference section of the application form and/or submit scores from an accredited English test: TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge English Exam (First, Advanced, Proficiency).
4. Be interviewed by a WISE Abroad staff member or partner either in person or by telephone.
5. Secure pre-arranged employment and have a minimum of $500 (US dollars) available in order to support yourself upon arriving the USA.  When pre-arranged work is not required and the participant does not have a job, US$950 must be available in personal funds upon arriving the USA.

Back to the top

Finding a Job

Jobs That Are NOT Permitted Under the Work and Travel USA Program

1. Teacher/ coach
2. Camp counselor
3. Au pair/ nanny/ babysitting/ domestic labor
4. Medical/ veterinary/ pharmaceutical services or any job that requires direct patient contact or dispensing of medication
5. Crew member on ships or airplanes, or as pilots
6. Employment through staffing/ placement agencies
7. Adult Industry Jobs
8. Sales jobs involving purchasing sales merchandise to resell (e.g. door-to-door sales).

WISE Abroad Will Arrange a Job for You

WISE Abroad will arrange a job for you.  During the application process we will give you the opportunity to tell us what your job preferences are, and we will also provide you with databases and web information where you can find jobs.  We will also provide you with tips on how to write cover letters and resumes.

Back to the top

Finding Housing

During your first few nights at your U.S. arrival destination, you may need temporary lodging before settling in to your longer-term housing, therefore we will make reservations for you before you arrive at your final destination.

Links to Arrange for Temporary Housing

1. Contact the Hostelling International-America web site for a list of hostels. Hostelling International-America operates a wide network of safe, clean and affordable lodging.
2. The Youth Hostel Association offers on-line booking service in the U.S.
3. YMCA also provides inexpensive temporary lodging.

Finding Long-Term Housing:

We will also assist you with long-term housing.  Here are some tips to look for long-term housing:

1. Employers: Ask your employer or co-workers for ideas of where you can find local housing. Many employers either provide housing or help you arrange housing.
2. Classified Advertisements: The quickest way to find available housing is the classified advertisement section of your local newspaper.  The Sunday editions are usually the best.  Review the advertisements for cost comparisons.
3. University Listings and Bulletin Boards: Many college campuses have bulletin boards where students post notices searching for roommates. Most universities have an "Off-Campus Housing Office" that keep listings of available housing.
4. Real Estate Agencies: U.S. cities have many real estate agencies that find housing for free, although some do charge a fee.  Make sure you inquire about any fees upfront.

Back to the top

How Do I Apply?

WISE Abroad encourages you to apply.  Application process, requirements, and dealines are printed directly on the application, which is available online.  We will work with our partners overseas to review your application and coordinate interviews, language assessments, and orientation sessions.

Back to the top