Summer Work/Travel Exchange Program

1. Summer Work/Travel Exchange Program Imerica Consulting Oradea, Romania New York, New York

2. Background: The Program The Summer Work/Travel (SWT) Program gives a foreign student the opportunity to experience the United States during his or her university’s summer vacation. SWT students work in U.S. jobs in order to earn money to offset the costs of participation. While the program is usually different for each participant, very strict rules and regulations apply.

3. Background: The Visa • There are dozens of different U.S. visas for different purposes in the United States. For example, B-2 is for tourists, F-1 is for persons enrolled in U.S. academic programs, and P is for foreign persons approved to perform in the USA. • Exchange visitor participants, including SWT students, obtain J-1 visas and enter the United States under J-1 classification.

4. Purpose of J-1 Programs The Summer Work/Travel program was created by the U.S. Congress to provide bona fide foreign university students an opportunity to become directly involved in the daily life of the people of the United States through travel and temporary work for a period up to four months during their summer vacation periods.

5. Advantages of SWT Program • New experiences • New relationships • Improved English proficiency • International perspectives • Gaining confidence and independence • Travel • Earning money • Investigating opportunities for the future

6.  Student  Short-term scholar  Trainee  Teacher  Professor  Research scholar.  Specialist International visitor  Alien physician Government visitor Summer Work/Travel Camp counselor Au Pair Types of J-1 Programs

7. J-1 Program Sponsors: General • A U.S. Sponsor of any J-1 program must apply to the U.S. Department of State (USDOS) for approval. • USDOS issues a designation letterto approved programs that outlines program opportunities, restrictions, and responsibilities. • Program sponsors are authorized to issue the Form DS-2019 to foreign persons selected for their program. • Program sponsors keep track of and provide training and support for their program participants in the USA. • Program sponsors are responsible for registering their program participants in the SEVIS.

8. YMCA International • For the 2005 SWT in China, the program sponsor will be YMCA International. • The YMCA is a well-established organization that has been working with young people around the world since 1911 to build global citizens. • The International YMCA collaborates with the US government and other organizations to support exchanges. • YMCA international, which is a branch of the YMCA of Greater New York, runs one of the oldest and most highly respected SWT programs. • YMCA offers values-based programs that have local and global impact, enhance understanding of the world, and enable people to work together towards peace and justice.  • YMCA International has selected Imerica Consulting to be one of its foreign partners.

9. What is SEVIS? • SEVIS = Student and Exchange Visitor Information System • SEVIS is an internet-based system for maintaining information on international students and exchange visitors in the USA. • SEVIS is administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). • J-1 program sponsors must enter the names of their international participants into SEVIS. This is done only for participants who follow and maintain the program rules.

10. Importance of SEVIS • If SWT program rules are not followed, the program sponsor indicates this in SEVIS. If and when this happens, the participant who has failed to comply is considered by law to have violated and lost his or her U.S. immigration status. • Breach of U.S. immigration status is very serious. An alien without proper immigration status loses the opportunity for immigration benefits in the USA and becomes subject to deportation. • Periods of overstay or unlawful presence generally disqualify a foreign person from future U.S. visas.

11. Role of Foreign Partners • Foreign partners have familiarity with the home countries of prospective participants that the program sponsor does not have. • Foreign partners recruit and screen SWT program applicants. • Foreign partners establish standards for program selection that reflect conditions and experiences in their country. • Experience of foreign partners with program standards and immigration rules is very important to success in that country. • Foreign partners should maintain contact with their program participants at all times from the beginning of recruitment until the students return home. • Foreign partners should maintain excellent records on and for their program participants.

12. About Imerica Consulting • Imerica Consulting (IC) was established several years ago to bring reliable and affordable expertise about U.S. opportunities to Romanian citizens. • IC’s HQ is located in the Transylvania section of Romania, near the border with Hungary. • IC has arranged for over 200 placements in the United States. • Romanian students have in common with Chinese students a very high U.S. visa refusal rate. • The expertise and high standards of IC staff accounts for a high rate of success and very low visa refusal rate (< 5%).

13. Duration of SWT Program • The maximum duration of a SWT Program is four months. • The actual duration of each student’s SWT Program depends upon the summer vacation period of that student’s university program, so as not to interfere with academic study. • U.S. consulates will not issue a visa for any SWT program that conflicts with the applicant’s academic schedule. • For northern hemisphere students, the program period can include June, July, August, and September.

14. Who Can Participate?Program Requirements • The SWT program is for academic post-secondary students, typically enrolled in universities. • A ”STUDENT" for SWT purposes must be currently enrolled in and actively pursuing a degree or a full-time course of study at an accredited educational institution. • Students who have finished their degree requirements are not eligible unless they are enrolled for another degree after the SWT program.

15. English Language Requirement • To work and travel successfully in the United States, the ability to understand, speak, and write English is necessary. • Although some SWT experiences require better English proficiency than others, intermediate level English is a minimum standard. • SWT applicants can expect their English proficiency to be tested through interviews with the foreign partner and U.S. employers. • Written language tests may or may not be necessary. • English language training may or may not be offered by the foreign partner.

16. Typical J-1 SWT Profile • The typical SWT participant wants to see the USA and make new friends. • These students choose to work in resort areas where students from around the world are also working. • Income from employment in the resort area provides the student with sufficient funds to cover program expenses, living expenses in the United States, and travel around the USA for 1-3 weeks. • It is not uncommon for SWT students to return home with savings from the summer employment.

17. Typical Summer Employers The following jobs have very few requirements and are generally available to all students: • Summer resorts (reception, servers, bellmen, housekeeping, maintenance, day care, children’s activities, performers) • Hotels (same) • Restaurants (servers, cooks, and support staff) • Retail shops (cashiers, clerks, inventory control) • Sandwich shops, coffee shops, or “fast food” establishments (preparation and serving staff) • Beaches or swimming pools (lifeguards, attendants) • Amusement or theme parks (attendants)

18. Optional J-1 SWTP Profile • Some students prefer to target their SWT experiences for maximum career and resume value. • Jobs that offer professional development, commonly called “internships,” are identified depending upon each student’s specialty and background. • Summer internships are typically unpaid. • SWT students who seek summer internships must be able to cover all costs of living during the program period.

19. Internships • YMCA International permits SWT participants to use the program for internships rather than paid jobs if living costs during the internship period can be sustained. • Unlike common summer jobs that are available to anyone, internships depend upon the background and credentials of the intern. For example, a student interested in accounting would look for a completely different internship than a biology student. • Accordingly, whereas most applicants apply for certain summer jobs through the SWT program, applicants interested in internships apply to the SWT first to help them arrange internships. • Most internships are not paid. • The total cost of an internship depends upon the geographic location of the position, since some geographic areas are more expensive than others.

20. Who Arranges Jobs or Internships? • In 90% of cases, the foreign partner identifies and secures U.S. jobs for its SWT clients. • In a few cases, students who find jobs for themselves can arrange to engage in those jobs through a SWT Program’s foreign partner as long as the jobs meet the Program Sponsor’s standards for fair pay and working conditions. • The foreign partner will also use its contacts to identify internship opportunities in the USA, but applicants are free to find their own internships and present them to the foreign partner for consideration.

21. Recruitment Process There are many viable ways to recruit SWT candidates, including: • Internet posting • Presentations at universities • Newspaper and other advertisements • Word of mouth

22. Selection Process Candidates who apply to the SWT program will submit all necessary documents and forms to the foreign partner. • Selection for 2006 SWT program applicants from China will impose very high standards. • High standards will not only predispose highly qualified applicants to success, but yield a very positive first impression of students from China. • The foreign program will evaluate SWT applicants and prepare candidate information for final selection by experienced Imerica Consulting experts.

23. Timing • Candidates should submit all necessary forms and documents to the foreign partner by the beginning of March 2006. • Interviews will take place in the 2nd half of March 2006. • Candidates will be notified of selections no later than the beginning of April 2006. • Fees must be paid before selectees apply for visas. • Visa interviews should be arranged by the beginning of May in order to give the foreign partner and participants enough advance planning time for the best fares and arrangements.

24. Visa Eligibility • There is a great deal of “folklore” about U.S. visas. Most of it is WRONG. • U.S. consular officers charged with issuing temporary visas are governed by very strict rules. Issuance of visas is not random and does not depend upon the applicant’s “connections.” • Consular officers must believe that J-1 SWT visa applicants have strong enough ties to their home countries to return home at the end of the SWT programs. • Accordingly, only excellent students from excellent academic programs in China will be considered for SWT in 2006. This is because less capable students are perceived not to have a good enough reason to return to resume or complete their programs. • A good U.S. or foreign immigration record is very helpful for visa issuance purposes.

25. Training in China • Foreign partners who have the most successful programs offer training in their home countries to SWT participants. • Mandatory training relates both to the U.S. employment and to cultural and other differences between living in the USA and at home. • Ideally, training will be offered to both SWT participants and their parents/families, since coordination with and cooperation of families is very important to a great SWT experience.

26. Arrangements: Travel • Arrangements for travel to the United States and to the job or internship sites will be made by the foreign partner at the lowest available cost. • Arrangements for travel for special training will also be made by the foreign partner and be included in the program cost. • Arrangements for personal travel are not covered by the program cost and must be made by the SWT participants, using personal funds.

27. Arrangements: Insurance • The U.S. Department of State’s regulations require each SWT participant to purchase medical insurance to cover accidents or illnesses during their U.S. programs. • This insurance is arranged in advance through the YMCA International by the foreign partner. • Each SWT participant will be fully trained in procedures to get medical attention and use the insurance if and when necessary.

28. Arriving in the United States • SWT participants complete Forms I-94 during their flights to the US and present them with their passports, J-1 visas, and Forms DS-2019 at the port of entry (airport). • Students who meet admission requirements are issued a portion of the Form I-94 endorsed by the U.S. immigration inspector; this document is their evidence of immigration status in the USA. • Students will be met at the airport by a YMCA representative and a representative of the foreign partner; from the airport they will proceed to training and eventually by air or ground transportation to their job or internship locations.

29. The U.S. Experience: YMCA • YMCA International takes its SWT program very seriously; it is committed to providing the best experiences for the students and the employers. • YMCA International will ensure that students are provided with knowledge and resources for their programs. • Both YMCA International and IC staff are available to help students resolve problems that arise related to their employment, lodging, or travel. • YMCA International provides contact information so that its personnel can be reached 24-7 in case of emergencies.

30. The U.S. Experience: Training • YMCA International sends a representative to meet each group of SWT students and conduct training about program expectations, living in the USA, and maintaining contact with YMCA personnel during the SWT period for general purposes as well as in case of emergency. • Foreign partners often develop special training for program participants, depending upon their interests and time available.

31. The U.S. Experience: Jobs • Each SWT participant is obligated to take the job for which he or she was accepted. • The U.S. program is obligated to record data in SEVIS about SWT participants who do not show up for their jobs or leave the jobs without notice. • Students can change SWT positions for good reason, with the program sponsor’s (YMCA) approval. • Students can take extra part-time jobs to earn extra money, but also must first obtain approval of the program sponsor (YMCA).

32. The U.S. Experience: Travel THERE IS NO GENERAL RULE FOR TRAVEL DURING A SWT PROGRAM. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR STUDENTS TO DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: • focus primarily on travel; in such cases, money earned from employment supports travel and entertainment costs. • travel very little beyond their summer job sites; such students try to save as much of their earnings as possible. • travel in prearranged or ad hoc groups after the summer jobs end. • travel alone to visit tourist sites, friends or relatives • take the opportunity to visit or interview at schools or other programs that may interest them for the future.

33. The U.S. Experience: Communication • It is extremely important for the Program sponsor (YMCA), Imerica Consulting, and the foreign partner to know where SWT participants are at all times. • Accordingly, arrangements will be made for each participant to have a cell phone during the SWT program; the cost will be included in the program fee. • Each SWT participant will is also required to have an e-mail address that can be used to receive and reply to e-mail messages through the internet. E-mail should be checked frequently.

34. Importance of Documents • Documents such as the foreign passport, Form I-94, visa, and Form DS-2019 are very difficult to replace. • It is a good practice for SWT participants and all visitors to the USA to keep these documents very secure. • In case original documents are lost, stolen, or destroyed, however, it is a very smart practice to make photocopies of these documents and keep them separate from the originals. On a day to day basis, carrying photocopies rather than originals is a sensible idea.

35. Going Home • Returning home after the SWT program is a critical part of the process. Foreign partners confirm to YMCA, Imerica Consulting, and U.S. authorities that participants have arrived home. • Changes to advance airfare arrangements may not be possible or impose expensive penalty fees. • Students who follow all program rules and return home as scheduled have the best chance for future U.S. programs.

36. Repeating the SWT Program • SWT participants may be eligible for future SWT programs in the United States if they follow all the rules during their SWT programs and maintain close ties to their home countries, including high academic achievement. • Many U.S. employers offer higher salaries and benefits to SWT students who have worked for them in previous years.