Summer Work Travel Program

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The Summer Work Travel Program allows international students who wish to familiarize themselves with American culture to work and travel in the United States during their academic breaks. Job placements, working conditions, and wages are typically arranged before participants arrive in the U.S. After completing their work period, participants may travel within the country in accordance with their visa terms.[http://j1visa.state.gov/programs/summer-work-travel/ Summer Work Travel Program] Retrieved 2011-09-19.

The program is overseen by the U.S. Department of State, which regulates its operation and sets annual participation limits. Approved U.S.-based sponsors manage the program, while international recruitment agencies facilitate the selection and preparation of participants. U.S. employers provide temporary job opportunities, and participants may stay in the country for up to four months.

Program administration involves the use of SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), which tracks participants' work locations, living arrangements, and legal status. General data about participants is publicly available on the J-1 visa website. {{Cite web|url=https://j1visa.state.gov/swt-participants-map/|title=Summer Work Travel Participants Map {{!}} J-1 Visa|publisher=United States Department of State|access-date=2017-05-20}} The program schedule varies to align with academic calendars worldwide, allowing participation during summer breaks or, for students in the southern hemisphere, during the U.S. winter months.{{cite web|url=https://j1visa.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/February-1-2016-Program-Date-Chart.pdf|title=Summer Work Travel 2015-2016 Season Program Dates by Country|date=February 19, 2016|publisher=United States Department of State|accessdate=May 21, 2017}}

Summer Work and Travel students must be:

• Sufficiently proficient in English to successfully interact in an English speaking environment
• Post-secondary school students enrolled in and actively pursuing a degree or other full-time course of study at an accredited classroom based, post-secondary educational institution outside the United States
• Have successfully completed at least one semester or equivalent of post-secondary academic study
• Pre-placed in a job prior to entry unless from a visa waiver country{{Cite web|url=http://j1visa.state.gov/programs/summer-work-travel/|title=Summer Work Travel Program|last=State|first=Department of|access-date=2016-08-29}} {{PD-notice}}

Students are subject to SWT requirements. Companies charge a nominal fee to cover the costs of SEVIS, a program that tracks J-1 visa students and makes their anonymous distribution data publicly available on the J-1 visa website.

In addition to the government requirements, Work and Travel USA students are required to:

• Register their information in SEVIS no later than 10 days after arriving in the USA. It varies by each sponsoring organization.
• Update their SEVIS information within 10 days, if they change address during the time in the USA or if they switch jobs.
• Check-in every 30 days to maintain active status on the program.

[https://www.swtscholarships.org/ The Ambassadors Fund for Summer Work Travel (SWT) Scholarship] is a public diplomacy initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. This program is distinct from the broader [https://j1visa.state.gov/programs/summer-work-travel BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel Program] and provides financial support to university students from select countries. Its primary goal is to enhance cultural exchange, promote mutual understanding, and foster skills such as community building, media literacy, and intercultural communication.{{Cite web |title=Ambassadors Fund for Summer Work Travel |url=https://www.swtscholarships.org/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Ambassadors Fund for Summer Work Travel |language=en-US}}

Scholarship recipients participate in a four-month summer experience in the United States, where they work in seasonal, entry-level jobs in high-interaction environments. This allows them to gain professional experience, improve their English proficiency, and immerse themselves in American culture while sharing their own heritage with local communities and fellow international students. The program covers various costs, including health insurance, visa fees, and round-trip airfare. Eligibility is limited to post-secondary students with sufficient English proficiency who have completed at least one semester of study at an accredited institution outside the United States.{{Cite web |last=Chisinau |first=U. S. Embassy |date=2024-08-28 |title=Ambassador Scholarship Fund for Summer Work and Travel Program |url=https://md.usembassy.gov/swt-ambassador-scholarship-fund/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=U.S. Embassy in Moldova |language=en-US}}

To embark on a Summer Work and Travel program, students must apply through a local agency. Agencies help to:-

• Arrange for job placements with a US host organisation
• Provide advice for US Visa applications and J-1 interview process
• Pre-arrange housing before participant arrival in the US
• Assist in documentation such as SEVIS registration, visa fee payment
• Be on 24/7 support for the student

Notable agencies worldwide

• In Malaysia, reputable agencies for Work and Travel include Infinity Abroad, Out of the Box, [https://www.wunderbar-adventura.com/ Wunderbar Adventura], and *Speedwing. (*Also operating in Singapore)
• In South America, Universal Student Exchange ([https://workuse.com/index.html USE]) is an agency with offices in Peru, Argentina, Chile and representatives in Brasil, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Spain.
• In Eastern Europe, some of the best known agencies are: American Experience Romania, Experience Serbia, Cool Travel Bulgaria

Sponsors of the Summer Work Travel Program are required to provide pre-arranged, vetted employment for participants from non-visa waiver countries and ensure comprehensive pre-departure information, including program guidelines, emergency contacts, and obligations for job and residency updates. For participants from Visa Waiver Program countries without prearranged jobs, sponsors must verify sufficient financial resources, provide job search guidance, and offer a job directory. Sponsors are also responsible for assisting participants unable to secure employment, ensuring compliance with federal and state wage laws, and maintaining regular contact to address any health, safety, or welfare concerns.{{Cite web |last=State |first=Department of |title=Summer Work Travel Program |url=https://j1visa.state.gov/programs/summer-work-travel#program-sponsors |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=BridgeUSA |language=en}}

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Category:Student exchange