The summer work and travel program allows students from different countries to work and travel in the US during their summer vacations. It is a year round program that is specially designed for students, so they can spend their summer holidays in USA. It gives them an opportunity to work in the U.S. for 3 to 4 months and be exposed to the people and the American way of life. Companies in the U.S. can also benefit from hiring international students as they are motivated workers. Students can discover new culture, traditions and also make some money to pay for their studies back home. The main purpose of this exchange program is to acquaint foreign students with modern American culture. College and university students pursuing studies at post secondary accredited academic institutions outside the U.S. come to USA to share their culture and ideas with people of the U.S. through temporary work and travel opportunities.
These young students can bring diversity to a company and also gain a new perspective with their international experience and knowledge. However, US companies need to fulfil a few requirements before hiring a J1 visa student. A j1 visa is issued to students interested in visiting the U.S. on cultural exchanges. Applicants must meet the specified qualifications and be sponsored by either a private or a government program. Applicants must also be aware that they are in the U.S. for a temporary stay and need to show funds to cover their stay in the country. If the spouse or a child under 21 years wants to accompany the applicant, he or she must apply for a j2 visa and is allowed to study even without student visa but is not allowed to work. As a j1 visitor, you can remain in the U.S. until the end of the exchange program or remain for an additional 30 days in order to prepare for your departure from the country.
There are many positions that U.S. companies can offer work and travel students, but they cannot be employed in childcare, domestic work or any job that jeopardizes the student’s well being or safety. Employers have to follow the minimum number of working hours as indicated in the employment agreement form, but students are usually happy to work overtime, so the working schedule can be flexible. As for the wages, employers must pay the minimum hourly wage for employees, covered by federal laws. A great thing with hiring international students is that it is totally free. Students are required to make their own housing arrangements before arriving in the US. However, if you have a paid or unpaid housing option, it makes your offer more attractive for potential candidates, which means a bigger choice of students. It is a common myth that employers in the US have to sponsor J1 visa students which is not true; international students are already sponsored by their program sponsors before coming to the US.
Employers do not have to pay transportation costs to J1 visa students, as the students are responsible for their own transportation costs to and from the US and also to and from their workplace. US employers need not worry about meeting the minimum employee number requirement for hiring the students, as foreign students participating in the work and travel program come to the US for a maximum of 4 months and are willing to work full time at any entry level job. Whether it is hotels, restaurants, country clubs or resorts, you can find all kinds of student summer jobs, with the opportunity to work anywhere in the U.S. through the summer work and travel program.
