WORK and Travel USA | Agency IEC
Work and Travel USA
Any student can spend the entire summer in the USA, working, studying English, and traveling around the country.
What is Work and Travel designed for?
Download the brochure about Work and TravelWork and Travel — is a program that allows hundreds of thousands of students from different countries around the world to spend 3 to 5 months in the USA during the summer holidays. Participants in the program are allowed to work and travel throughout the country. The money they earn is usually enough to cover all expenses related to the trip and living in the USA. And many students come home with an extra few thousand dollars!
Work and Travel USA — is a combination of hard work and an amazing vacation. And perhaps it is one of the most interesting, affordable and safe ways to immerse yourself in the world of independent travel and make your own discovery of America. What awaits you across the ocean? Holidays — for the first time you’ll be able to taste what it’s like to live independently from your parents, and to a large extent it will depend on you whether this summer becomes the best of your life.
You can learn more about Work and Travel with the help of the brochure and our other materials about the program.
How it all began
Work and Travel USA has existed for more than 50 years, since 1963, but for many students it only became accessible after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1994, when we opened the Work and Travel USA program for the post-Soviet countries, everything was truly a first. That summer the first 15 “J-1ers” set off to discover their America. Today our first Work and Travel participants, who are now almost 50, bring their college-age children to us by the hand so that they, in turn, can take part in our programs. And now, as 35 years ago, despite numerous difficulties and regardless of political chill, our participants set off on their own voyage of discovery.
Requirements for participants
Students, master’s and PhD students enrolled in full-time and evening programs at all universities and colleges up to 28 years old may take part in the program. Basic conversational English is required; standard school-level preparation is usually sufficient to be eligible to participate in the program. You can assess your English level and get recommendations for improvement during a consultation with the program coordinator.
Where and in what roles do they work?
Participants in W&T USA work alongside American students in positions that do not require specialized training. These openings are typically offered by shops, restaurants, hotels, and amusement parks in small tourist towns across the country. Students can look for jobs on their own or let us handle it.
How much do they earn?
The participants’ pay depends on the state (different states have different minimum wage levels) and on the position. As a rule, students earn from $8 to $15 per hour and work 40-60 hours a week. That means most students make at least $2000 a month, and those who receive tips can earn several times more. At the same time, average housing and food expenses amount to around $500 a month, so usually students need only a couple of months to recoup all the costs associated with organizing the trip.
Program options
The Self Arranged option allows the participant to find an employer on their own — via the internet or through acquaintances, and to choose a city or state in the USA at their own discretion. To participate in this format, an invitation from an American employer (job offer) must be provided no later than three months before departure.
The Work and Travel program includes assistance in preparing the documents for obtaining a visa. If the visa is denied, you will be refunded the full amount paid for participation in the program, except for the initial deposit.
- Online English course lasting up to 6 months
- Online course “Applied Artificial Intelligence”
- Medical insurance for the duration of the Work and Travel program
- Review of your job vacancy for work in the USA
- Orientation materials for the program
- Guide to the USA “Discover America”
- Assistance with document preparation
- Hotline services in the USA
- Registration fee (amount depends on the participant’s city)
- SEVIS fee – $35
- Consular fee – $185
- Airfare
Participants in Work and Travel USA who are unable to pay the full cost of the program can choose the DPP option, which allows them to pay only certain fees during the application process and to cover the bulk of the program cost later in the summer from money earned in the USA.
That is, this option makes it possible to significantly reduce the budget that the participant will need to raise before flying to the USA.
More detailed information — in the materials that can be requested by clicking the button below, or from the IEC representative in your city.
Most prospective participants in Work and Travel are interested in financial matters: how much money will be needed to participate in the program, how quickly the trip expenses can be recouped, and how much can be earned over the summer?
We have prepared a calculator that will answer all questions and enable you to make an informed decision about participating in the program. The calculator provides survey data from participants in previous years and also considers various scenario options.
We would like our participants not only to work and travel with IEC, but also to develop themselves and master the tools of the future today. Therefore we offer all our participants for free:
Online English course, developed specifically for the Work and Travel USA program. The course will help pass an interview with a potential employer and the visa interview, and successfully adapt to an English-speaking environment upon arrival in the USA.
Online course Applied AI + virtual internship
The course focuses on applied tools and practices of artificial intelligence. The package includes a virtual internship at IEC. A participant who completes the training and invites a new student who has paid for the full package (both parts of the Applied AI course + virtual internship) receives a $100 discount off the program fee.
The discount can be increased by $45 for each additional referred attendee. The total discount amount is unlimited. Detailed terms are in the program participation agreement.
Receiving a certificate of completion opens up a whole world of diverse online courses, including free ones, directly from your account.
In this option for participating in the Work and Travel program, the program sponsor — InterExchange — finds work in the USA. Before departure, participants attend an online orientation session.
The Work and Travel program includes assistance with preparing the documents required to obtain a visa. If a visa is denied, you will be refunded the full amount paid for participation in the program, except for the initial deposit.
- Online English course lasting up to 6 months
- Online course “Applied Artificial Intelligence”
- Medical insurance for the duration of the Work and Travel program
- Review of your job vacancy for work in the USA
- Orientation materials for the program
- Guide to the USA “Discover America”
- Assistance with document preparation
- Hotline services in the USA
- Registration fee (amount depends on the participant’s city)
- SEVIS system operation fee – $35
- Consular fee – $185
- Airline tickets
Participants of Work and Travel USA who are unable to pay the full cost of the program can choose the DPP option, which allows them during the application process to pay only certain fees and to pay the majority of the program cost later in the summer from money earned in the USA.
That is, this option makes it possible to significantly reduce the budget that the participant will need to raise before departing for the USA.
More detailed information — in the materials that can be requested by clicking the button below, or from the IEC representative in your city.
Most prospective participants of Work and Travel are interested in financial questions: how much money will be needed to participate in the program, how quickly I will be able to recoup all the expenses for the trip, and how much can be earned over the summer?
We’ve prepared a calculator that will answer all your questions and help you make an informed decision about participating in the program.
The calculator includes survey data from past participants and also considers various scenario options.
We would like our participants not only to work and travel with IEC, but also to develop themselves and master the tools of the future today. Therefore, we offer all our participants free of charge:
An online English course specially developed for the Work and Travel USA program. The course will help participants pass an interview with a potential employer and the visa interview, and successfully adapt to an English-speaking environment upon arrival in the USA.
Online course Applied AI — a course on the currently fashionable topic of artificial intelligence. Any participant who completes the course in full and the final project, and also invites a friend to the course, will receive a $100 discount off the program fee. The discount can be increased by $15 for each new participant you refer who pays for any paid portion of the course. There is no limit to the total discount you can receive.
Receiving a certificate of course completion gives you access to a whole world of diverse online courses, including free ones, directly from your account.
Work & Travel with IEC: 35 years of excellent adventures!
We have specialized in providing jobs in the USA for 35 years, know everything about the program and even a little more, and can answer absolutely any question. Our staff participated in the program and have had the opportunity to study it thoroughly ‘from the inside’.
You receive medical insurance with coverage of $100 000 and round-the-clock hotline support.
From the pre-departure orientation materials you will learn in detail about safety measures, rules for storing money and other important matters.
Each participant in the program is issued a J-1 visa that grants the right to work officially in the United States, so everything is entirely legal under the law. At the workplace, the same rules will apply to you as to all United States citizens.
We will help you get a good job, prepare you for the embassy interview, provide all necessary informational materials, and answer questions after your arrival in the USA when you call the hotline.
The cost is fixed in dollars at the time of registration, so you know exactly how much you need to earn in the USA. No additional deposits are charged. You can choose what to pay for and what to do yourself.
The offices of our center have been operating for many years in 13 countries around the world. More than 110,000 students from those countries have already taken advantage of our advice and services, and most are ready to repeat their successful experience.
Take a step toward your dream with the Work and Travel program from IEC!
Join the thousands of students who have already made their own “discovery of America”!
Uma2rman recommends…
If you want to be truly well prepared to participate in the program, be sure to attend our regular webinars on Work and Travel USA. In them we will cover all the key issues that determine the success and safety of your trip. To receive an invitation on Telegram to the next webinar, click the button; we will notify you about the broadcast a day before it starts. The webinars are held in Russian.
We’ll tell you about the best ways to boost your conversational English, as well as about services and tools that are sure to help you with it.
Let’s examine in detail all the important factors that need to be taken into account when choosing the state and city in the USA where you’ll spend the entire summer.
We’ll tell you about the best ways to improve your spoken English, as well as the services and tools that will definitely help you with that.
We will introduce all the job openings available to program participants and explain what to look for when choosing a future job.
Let’s take a detailed look at all the important factors that need to be considered when choosing a state and city in the USA where you’ll be spending the entire summer.
We will recommend the most interesting and exciting itineraries for your upcoming trip to America and explain how to save money when planning the trip yourself.
What level of English is required to participate in the program?
Working in the United States requires at least a basic everyday level of English. Your knowledge should be sufficient so that you don’t get lost during the first days. A conversational level will be quite adequate (that’s about 5–6 points on a 10-point scale). Knowledge of the language will already come in handy when searching for job vacancies in the United States, and certainly — while working in the United States.
Is it difficult to pass an interview assessing English proficiency?
The first step to participate in the student Work and Travel USA program is an interview with the program coordinator. You’ll have a simple conversation on general topics: where you study, how you spend your free time, and why you want to go to the USA. Nothing complicated.
How do I pay for the program?
The initial fee is paid within a week after the interview at IEC. The remaining portion of the program cost must be paid within a week after your employer is confirmed as the sponsor.
By what date do you need to provide a job offer when searching for a job independently?
Three months before the desired travel date, that is approximately March 1. This period may be extended by agreement with IEC.
How to find a second job once you’re already there?
The vast majority of students under this program work in resort towns. The ground floors of buildings in such towns are an endless line of shops, restaurants and hotels. You will just need to walk down the street and look both ways. As soon as you see the red sign Help wanted — head there. In fact, go there even if there isn’t a red sign, because in season all these resort towns turn into real conveyor belts for servicing tourists.
Is it possible to participate in the program that provides employment?
Of course, that option exists, and it isn’t much more expensive — about $300 more.
My friend and I are going together; will we be able to work in the same city?
Of course. You will just need to indicate the last name and first name of the person you are traveling with on the form.
What is the minimum wage?
The minimum wage in the USA is $7,25 per hour. Upon arrival in the USA, the Participant is recommended to have at least $1000, as well as sufficient funds to cover travel expenses to the place of work and initial living expenses.
When can I fly to the USA?
The earliest possible departure date depends on the participant’s country of residence. More details about all deadlines are below in the Schedule section.
How do I submit documents to participate?
To sign up for the program, simply call us or fill out the form at the bottom of the page. After that, the program coordinator will explain in detail all stages of the application process and will schedule a time for an interview to assess your English level.
What is the DS-2019 form?
The DS-2019 form is issued electronically, but it is an extremely important document that you will need to apply for a J-1 visa. Only a very small number of organizations — the program’s sponsors — can issue the DS-2019 form.
What is a J-1 visa?
This visa allows you to work legally in the USA during summer vacation.
Is it expensive to rent an apartment?
Here you need to take one main thing into account: the farther from the center, the cheaper it is. In almost all resort towns you can realistically find student housing for $80-100 per person per week.
Where should I start looking for housing?
Most employers in the USA offer housing for an additional fee. Usually information about the place of residence will be indicated in your job offer.
A job offer marked “help with housing” — in this case the employer does not provide housing, but is willing to help you in your search. You need to contact the employer and find out what options they can offer. Usually the employer provides contacts of landlords who rent to students. After that, you’ll have to use all your communication skills and close the deal yourself.
A job offer marked “housing provided” means that the employer offers housing for the duration of your work. Payment for housing may be deducted from your paycheck. Employers who have been hosting foreign students for a long time usually do this. They rent a house or apartment for them, and students pay weekly rent. Be prepared that, most likely, you’ll have to share a room with other students. It’s a great chance to make new friends and practice your diplomacy by sharing one bathroom between three!
However, if your employer does not provide housing or you decide to find it yourself, there are plenty of resources for that. Specialized websites, such as craigslist.org, or groups on social networks, including Facebook, can help you find suitable housing. The main thing — don’t forget to check reviews and don’t agree to housing with ghosts; they rarely pay for utilities!
How do I get to the employer?
On your own. Almost all program participants arrive at JFK airport in New York. After passing passport control, you will collect your baggage and proceed to the passport control area. An immigration officer will stamp your passport with information on the date of entry, visa type and length of stay. A corresponding record will also be made in the electronic I-94 form, available at www.cbp.gov/i94 . You can get from the airport to the city by bus — it costs about $16, the transport goes to the New York bus terminal (Port Authority) or by subway — $3 (from the airport to the Howard Beach subway station runs the JFK Airtrain — $8.50, the required subway line is the A (in the blue circle). A taxi to central Manhattan will cost approximately $75-80. If you arrive in the evening, you can stay overnight in one of the hostels (dormitories), and then head to the bus station or train station. It’s best to plan your travel around the USA in advance using the websites of major carriers: Greyhound (buses) and Amtrak (trains).
Where should I keep my money?
Only in your bank account and nowhere else!
If you keep them at home, you could become a victim of thieves.
How to stay in touch?
The most convenient way is to use messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or Skype. They allow you to make free calls when you have an internet connection.
Is medical insurance provided for the duration of employment?
A student won’t have to pay huge sums for medical care in the USA, since he will be reliably protected by insurance. Although we hope that participants will be in great health and won’t need any insurance. But just in case: the total insurance amount is $150 000.
How to lead a healthy lifestyle in America?
Work a lot, drink less soda (that’s what Americans call sweet carbonated drinks like “Coca-Cola” and “Pepsi”), commute to work and back by bike, not overindulge in free food and not be too lazy to sometimes cook proper meals at home.
Your schedule until summer
September – February
Attend an interview with a coordinator
First, you need to attend an interview with a representative of our office. The interview lasts 3–5 minutes. In English. Very simple questions and equally simple answers.
Sign the contract
If your language proficiency meets the requirements of the Work and Travel program, you sign the participation agreement and pay the initial fee. As a rule, at the beginning of the season, i.e. in the autumn, the program is cheaper and becomes somewhat more expensive closer to November–December. Attention! The contract is very long and boring. But you must read it before signing.
Fill out the online application
After signing the contract you need to go to the social network for “J-1 participants”, complete the online application for the chosen program and select a start date for work.
Find a job on your own or with our help
Participants in the Work and Travel SELF ARRANGED option search for jobs in America on their own. After that we need to send the job offer to our partners for verification. After the job offer is confirmed by the program sponsor, the DS-2019 form necessary to obtain a visa is issued. If you choose the FULL SERVICE program option, our American partner selects the job in the USA.
February – May
Attend the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy
After receiving the DS-2019 form, you fill out the visa application, and you are given an interview date — a 2–4 minute conversation with a consular officer who decides whether to issue you a U.S. visa.
Receive the visa and other documents
After receiving the visa IEC provides program participants with health insurance and informational materials.
May – July
Fly to the USA
So, you’ve successfully completed all the steps — which means the prize is yours! You’re heading to America, where you’ll work and travel. You can pack your backpack, read our numerous informational materials, and prepare for departure. You can start working in the States at any time, beginning from the date set for your country.
August – September
Return home!
The duration of the student Work and Travel program varies depending on the participant’s country of residence — these special conditions for students allow them to return from the United States in time and continue their studies in their home country. In addition to summer earnings, you can receive a bonus upon return if you claim a tax refund. And if you plan to participate again, you can use that amount for another trip through the Work and Travel program!
how to enroll in the program
Since 1989 more than 110 000 thousand students have participated in our programs
We ourselves have participated in the Work and Travel program many times and can tell in detail about our personal stories and about the experiences of the thousands of students who have taken part in the program. We will be able to prepare you for your upcoming trip most comprehensively.
We will answer all your questions, help you find travel companions and decide on a program option. We will be by your side at every step of the application process and will do everything to make next summer the best summer of your life!
Requirements for participants, the enrollment period, the price and the terms of the program may depend on the participant’s citizenship and country of study. Up-to-date information on these matters will be provided by the program coordinator during a consultation with the student.
Choose the program option that suits you
Fill out the feedback form below – a coordinator will contact you
Take an interview to assess your English level
Sign the agreement and pay the first installment
Follow your coordinator’s instructions
Any other questions?
We will be happy to answer them!
Come to our office, we have participated in exchange programs ourselves more than once, we will tell you about our personal experience and impressions and help you choose a program and find temporary work for the summer in America and other countries of the world.
