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Participant Handbook Insurance ID Card and Brochure Exchange Visitor Flyer Acknowledgment Form

Your orientation package:. Participant Handbook Insurance ID Card and Brochure Exchange Visitor Flyer Acknowledgment Form SEVIS Flyer Participant Survey Social Security Information I-94 Instructions Top 6 Facts to Remember. Before you leave today: Ask Questions!!

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Participant Handbook Insurance ID Card and Brochure Exchange Visitor Flyer Acknowledgment Form

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  1. Your orientation package: • Participant Handbook • Insurance ID Card and Brochure • Exchange Visitor Flyer • Acknowledgment Form • SEVIS Flyer • Participant Survey • Social Security Information • I-94 Instructions • Top 6 Facts to Remember

  2. Before you • leave today: • Ask Questions!! • Sign and drop off the orientation acknowledgement form.

  3. Program Overview • Purpose of the J-1 Work/Travel • program: • To experience daily life of the U.S. through temporary employment opportunities. • To benefit from great international experience (enhance your CV!). • To return home and share your experiences with others in your country. • To encourage Americans to participate in the educational and cultural programs in other countries.

  4. Program Overview • Program Description: • The J-1 Work/Travel Visa CANNOT be extended. • You may travel in the U.S. for 30 days after completing the program, as long as the travel corresponds with university vacation & job offer dates. • Program cannot be longer than 4 months.

  5. Program Fees Cover: • Guaranteed Placement (unless you have found your own job) • J-1 visa sponsorship including visa documentation • Medical insurance during your program • Orientation • 24/7 Support during your program.

  6. Independent Living • Budget your time and money • Costs upon arrival to the U.S.: • Initial $500, Transportation to jobsite, 1st month’s rent • & housing deposit • Other housing costs • Utilities, telephone service & cable T.V. • Living costs • Meals, toiletries, laundry & entertainment Penny 1 cent Dime 10 cents Nickel5 cents Quarter25 cents Participant Handbook - Pages 23 -24

  7. Terms • Partner Agency • Exchange program in your country • Sponsor Agency • Alliance Abroad Group (AAG) • Host Company • Company where you will work in U.S. • SEVIS • Student and Exchange Visitor Information System • Outreach Coordinator • AAG Representative

  8. Contact Information • Alliance Abroad Group, L.P.1221 South Mopac Expressway, Suite #250 • Austin, Texas 78746 - USA • Tel: 1.512.457.8062 - Fax: 1.413.460.3502 • Toll Free Number: 1.866.IM IN USA - (1.866.464.6872) • www.allianceabroad.com • U.S. Department of State/ • Public Communication DivisionPA/PL, Rm. 2206 • U.S. Department of State • 2201 C Street NW • Washington, D.C. 20520 • Tel: 1.202.647.6575 • Email: jvisas@state.gov Participant Handbook - Page 7

  9. Culture Shock: Expect the Unexpected! Be Prepared to Adjust: • Most face cultural shock upon arrival. It’s normal! • Allow time to adjust & to miss family and friends. • It’s COLD in the winter and HOT in the summer! Cultural Shock Advice: • The program is what you make of it… Get involved! • Be independent, but seek help if you need it. • Keep a journal/diary of your memories. • Check out our website for cultural components: www.allianceabroad.com Participant Handbook - Page 22

  10. The American Workplace • Look good, smell good & smile! • Be respectful to your co-workers, supervisors & customers. • The boss knows best. • Please & Thank you • Always be on time to work & meetings! • Follow smoking rules! • Good hygiene is important - shower every day, keep uniforms clean & brush your teeth twice a day! Attitude is everything! Participant Handbook - Pages 10 - 12

  11. Emergencies: 1-866-622-7623 • You are lost on arrival. • You are arrested. • You are hospitalized with a serious injury. • You are the victim of a violent crime or in immediate danger - CALL 911 FIRST! • Another participant needs immediate help. Call us at any hour if…

  12. Your Outreach Coordinator Call us during business hours if… • You lose your passport or other documents. • You have concerns about housing. • You have employer concerns or you are fired from your job. • If you leave a message, be sure to speak slowly & include: your name, AAG ID • number, job location & telephone number.

  13. SEVIS Check-in • Register your U.S. home address online within 7 days of arrival at: • www.allianceabroad.com/sevisand log in with your ID card information. • This registration is REQUIRED to maintain good status with the U.S. Government. • SEVIS registration is necessary • to apply for social security card. Participant Handbook - Page 13

  14. Monthly Check-Ins • Each month you will receive an email reminder from AAG to check in. • This is a Department of State • requirement! It only takes one • minute to complete, so do it! • Failure to complete monthly check-ins could result in terminating your program!

  15. Before you Depart • Check job offer for contact information, directions and arrival instructions. • Be sure to contact your host company if you do not know when or where you should report to work. • Update AAG with your flight and arrival informationbefore departure to the U.S. Participant Handbook - Page 13

  16. Don’t leave your job! • Do not change without permission from Alliance Abroad Group and the employer. • Resolve problems with employer first; call AAG if you can’t resolve it. • Don’t put your visa status at risk! Participant Handbook - Page 13

  17. Housing • Read the job offer . • If your job includes housing, you must accept the housing offered. You may not • find your own housing. • Pay rent on time and stay for your entire contract. • Alliance Abroad Group is not the landlord. • Pay deposit if required. • Provide your landlord with forwarding address. Participant Handbook - Pages 24 - 26

  18. Housing Damages and consequences • Your deposit will NOT be refunded. • Your last paycheck will go toward • paying for damages. • If there are additional charges, AAG • will contact your family. Participant Handbook - Page 13

  19. Rules, Laws & Regulations Stay out of trouble! • NO DRUGS, NO ALCOHOL… • STAY SAFE: stay out of lonely and dark areas, don’t take big risks. • STAY LEGAL: know the laws of the U.S.: Drugs, shoplifting, drinking under the age of 21, driving under the influence of alcohol can all get you arrested, fired and will definitely get you sent home! Participant Handbook - Page 31

  20. Jobs • Wages: • Federal minimum wage (pay) = $7.25/hr • “Tipped employees” (waiter/waitress) • must be paid a cash wage of at least • $2.13/hr. Total wage must be at least • minimum wage. • You must be paid equivalent of American • counterparts • Never get paid in cash. It is not legal. • Contact Alliance Abroad if this occurs.

  21. Jobs • Employment of Summer Work Travel participants must: • Be seasonal or temporary • Require only minimal training • Provide opportunities for interactions with U.S. citizens • Not displace domestic U.S. workers • Be with companies who have not experienced layoffs in the past 120 days or currently have workers on strike • Not fall into the expanded list of prohibited placements, including positions requiring a license, work hours that fall predominantly from 10 pm – 6 am, commission-based, manufacturing, construction or traveling concessions.

  22. Second Jobs • Your second job must be approved by AAG beforeyou begin working. Working in an unauthorized job is cause for termination! Ask your Outreach Coordinator for instructions. • Do not accept a second job if it might • interfere with your first job. • Be sure to avoid jobs on the prohibited jobs list! Participant Handbook - Page 31

  23. Social Security Card What is it? • Employers cannot pay you unless you have applied for a Social Security card. • Issued by the local Social Security Administration. • Wait at least 10 days to apply after registering with SEVIS. • Keep your Social Security application receipt. 123 - 45 - 6789 Participant Handbook – Pages 19 - 20

  24. Social Security Card How to get it: • Register with SEVIS at www.allianceabroad.com/sevis. • You will need to have 2 copies of each document below: • Social Security Application form • I-94 form (front & back) • J-1 visa, Job offer and Sponsor letter • Birth certificate or official picture ID that is at least one year old For more information visit our website and read the insurance brochure in your orientation package • DS 2019 form (front & back) • Passport (photo/signature page) Participant Handbook – Page 20

  25. Completing theSocial SecurityForm CHAOWAT JITKAEW Employer name & address Nov 3 1984 Bangkok, Thailand URAI PATTIMA SANTITRAKUL X X MANAT PANU JITKAEW

  26. Completing the Social Security Form X X X Dec. 1, 2005 YOUR EMPLOYER’S TEL. Chaowat Jitkaew

  27. Taxes W-4 and W-2 Forms: • W-4 tax form Employee’s Withholding • W-2 tax form will be sent to you after end of the year • Leave your home country address with employer • File for taxes online before April 15 of next year Participant Handbook - Pages 15 - 16

  28. Health Insurance United HealthCare: 1-800-251-1712 (SAVE THIS NUMBER IN YOUR PHONE!) • ALWAYS CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY BEFORE RECEIVING TREATMENT TO AVOID PAYING A LOT OF MONEY! They will tell you which doctor/hospital to go to. • One week before start date you will receive an email inviting you to create a personalized insurance account. Deductible: Doctor’s Office: $100 Emergency Room: $250 (if not resulting in hospitalization) Participant Handbook - Pages 17

  29. Don’t Forget… Participant Handbook - Don’t leave home without it! • How to contact AAG & the State Department • Workplace Protocol • Work/Travel program regulations • Insurance • Social Security cards • Taxes and W-2 forms • Life and customs in the U.S. • Safety and much more!

  30. Don’t Forget… • Documents to bring with you: • Travel & entry into the U.S. • DS 2019 form • I-94 form • Passport with J-1 stamp/sticker • Sponsor letter • Insurance card • Job offer • Birth certificate (or other official picture ID at least 1 year old)

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