       
Student's Frequently Asked Questions: ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION Q: How old do I need to be to participate in
the program? PROGRAM INFORMATION Q: How long does the Summer Work Travel program
last? INSURANCE INFORMATION Q: Do I need medical insurance? JOB INFORMATION Q: How do I find a job? GENERAL INFORMATION Q: Can I drive and get a driver's license in the
U.S.?
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION Q: How old do I need to be to participate in the program? A: In order to participate in the Summer Work Travel Program you need to be between the ages of 18 and 28 years old and registered as a full-time student at a post-secondary institution. However, you cannot be in your final year of study when applying to the Summer Work Travel Program. Q: What should be my English proficiency? A: In order to participate in the Summer Work Travel Program and feel comfortable communicating while in the U.S., your oral and written English proficiency must not be below an intermediate level. Your language knowledge will be tested during a personal interview with a USUF partner in your country. You must also submit an English Ability letter signed by a certified English teacher or submit valid TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS scores. Q: I am a part time student. Can I still participate in the program? A: No, in order to participate in the Summer Work Travel Program you need to be registered as a full-time student at a post-secondary institution. You cannot be in your final year of study when applying for the Summer Work Travel Program. Q: Where do I apply for the program? A: You can apply for the program with a USUF partner in your country. For more information please refer to the How to Apply section of this website. Q: Can I participate in the program for the second time? A: Yes, you are welcome to participate for a second time during
one of the next summer seasons, if you still meet the participant
eligibility requirements.
PROGRAM INFORMATION Q: How long does the Work and Travel program last? A: The USUF Summer Work Travel program lasts from 1 to 4 months plus a 30-day grace period. Q: What is the 30-day grace period? A: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides all J-1 program participants a 30-day travel status period following the completion of their program. This period is NOT included in the program dates entered on the Form DS-2019. The grace period allows participants to travel domestically and/or to prepare for and depart from the United States. It is not to be used for any other purpose. Employment is prohibited during this grace period. Q: What type of visa do I need in order to participate in the Summer Work Travel Program? A: In order to participate in the program you will need to obtain a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa. Your J-1 visa allows you to visit the U.S., and work for up to 4 months during your university summer vacation. Additionally, you have a 30-day grace period to remain in the country which is when you can travel and fully benefit from the visa. Q: How long does the application process take? A: Once you have signed the Employment Agreement form with your employer it usually takes between 3-8 weeks for the completion of all of the necessary paperwork. A: Please contact the office of the USUF partner in your country for information about the cost of the programs. In addition, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate will charge you for your visa application; you will need to pay for a round trip flight to the U.S. and the costs of your housing and living expenses. Q: Why do I need to check-in with the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation? A: Arrival and monthly check-ins are an important part of your program. You cannot become a valid participant of the Summer Work Travel Program without registration with SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) through the Arrival Check-in section of this website. Therefore, it is very important that you register with SEVIS within 5 days after your arrival. SEVIS is an Internet-based system that provides tracking and monitoring of nonimmigrant students, exchange visitors and their dependents, with access to accurate and current information. You should also do a Monthly Check-in with this web site at the beginning of each month of your program. IMPORTANT: If you do not register with SEVIS within 5 days after
your arrival to the U.S., your program will be terminated. Q: What information do I need to know before coming to the U.S.? A: Before leaving your country, you must attend an orientation session during which a USUF representative will provide you with the information that you may need while in the U.S. You will also receive a Summer Work Travel brochure with additional information. Topics covered at the orientation and in the brochure include: the purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program; home-country physical presence requirement; travel and entry into the United States; housing; health care and insurance; life and customs in the United States; local community resources; emergency assistance, etc. You can also find additional useful information on this website. Q: How much money should I bring? A: We recommend that you bring with you $1,000. You should bring enough money to pay for food and housing, because you may not receive your pay until at least 2 weeks after you have begin working. A: According to the program rules, students are responsible for arranging their own housing. Employers are encouraged to assist students with arranging their accommodation. Some employers provide housing. Please pay attention to the Housing Information Section of your Employment Agreement. If housing is not provided by your employer you must make arrangements for you temporary housing in advance. Q: How do I communicate with the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation? A: Please contact us in non-emergency cases via email at contact@exchangeusa.org and or call us at (202)223-2228 during our office hours. Non-emergency cases: Q: Who can I contact in case of an emergency? A: As your Summer Work Travel Program sponsor, we are responsible
for your well-being in the U.S. We are always reachable at our
hotline 24 hours a day to assist you in emergency cases. But you
are always welcome to contact us regarding non-emergency issues
during our office hours. Emergency cases: Q: Can I extend my stay in the United States? A: No, unfortunately, we cannot extend your program over the dates on your DS-2019 form. Therefore, try to fill the time you spend with the Summer Work Travel Program with the most interesting and useful activities. Q: When am I required to leave the U.S.? A: You are required to leave the U.S. by the date indicated on
the I-94 stamp, attached to your passport. Usually it says D/S
(Duration of status) which means the last date of your program
plus 30 days of grace period. The last date of your program is
the last day you can legally work in the U.S. as stated in box
3 of your DS-2019 form. Grace period allows you to travel within
the United States 30 days after completing your program. The grace
period allows participants to travel domestically and/or to prepare
for and depart from the United States. Once you leave the U.S.
you will not be able to re-enter. The 30-day grace period is under
the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A: If you overstay your visa, you are subject to arrest and deportation. Furthermore, violation of immigration regulations may jeopardize the possibility of obtaining a U.S. visa in the future. Q: Can I travel outside of the U.S. during my program? A: Yes, if you have a multiple entry visa to the United States, you can apply for a visa to another country. As long as you do not break the program rules, you can travel outside of the U.S. during the legal working dates listed on the DS-2019. Before departing you need to have your DS-2019 signed by the USUF.
INSURANCE INFORMATION Q: Do I need medical insurance? A: Insurance is mandatory for all Summer Work Travel Program participants. USUF provides coverage with NAME. You will find more information about your insurance and coverage in your insurance policy brochure. This is basic travel insurance which does not cover pre-existing medical conditions. You will be insured for the duration of your DS-2019 form. However, if you wish to be insured during your 30 day grace period, you may request an extension of the insurance plan for this period upon application process. Q: What do I do if I get sick? A: Please have a medical examination in your home country prior to your arrival in the United States. We strongly recommend that you also have a dental check-up and receive any needed dental treatment prior to your departure. Dental procedures in the United States are very costly, and should you have a dental problem in the U.S. during your stay, it will cost you from $200 for a simple filling to $2,000 for a root canal. These expenses are not covered by your medical insurance. If you become sick, please call your insurance company before going to the doctor. The insurance company will let you know where to go to and what to do next. If you do not call your insurance company prior to the doctor’s visit, the insurance company may not cover your medical expenses and you will need to pay out of your own pocket. In case of an emergency, the hospital will contact your insurance company. Please remember to keep your insurance company information with you at all times.
JOB INFORMATION A: You have 2 options: you can find your own job or apply for
a job from a list of jobs provided by a USUF representative in
your country (this option requires you to pay an additional fee). Q: What type of jobs can I get? A: The jobs that will be available are almost always unskilled or entry-level positions. They are most likely to be: amusement park attendant; banquet server; busboy; clerical assistant; cook; dishwasher; fast food server; front desk clerk; host/hostess; housekeeper; lifeguard; parking attendant; porter; recreation instructor; sales person; security guard; tour guide; waiter/waitress; cashier, etc. Q: What type of jobs am I not allowed to do? A: You may not work as a camp counselor, nanny, au pair, housekeeper, be a helper in a private home, work in adult entertainment; work in a hospital or in the medical field, or work with airlines through the Summer Work Travel Program. You may not work at a place that requires you to invest your own money for the purpose of door-to-door sales. Q: How much will I be earning? A: Actual earning typically varies by position and by state. Note that the minimum wage in the U.S. is $5.15 per hour and $2.76+ tips for jobs that include gratuity (like servers or waiters). State minimum wage may be higher. Please be aware that your employer should treat you the same way as your American co-workers and you should never be paid less than a federal minimum wage per hour. Q: How many hours will I work? A: On a typical Summer Work Travel job you work around 30-40 hours per week. Ask your employers for details and overtime hours. Q: Do I have to stay at my pre-assigned job? A: Yes, once you enter the U.S. you are required to go to your pre-assigned job. You MUST go to the job that you originally accepted. You cannot change your employer without USUF permission. Your host company is the employer you are working for during your program duration. It is always prearranged and that means you have signed a job agreement with your employer, approved by USUF. By signing an Employment Agreement form you are making a commitment to a particular company. If you leave before your commitment has ended without permission from the host company and from USUF, your program will be terminated. If you are experiencing problems, we encourage you to contact us during our office hours and ask for assistance. If for any reason your original job ends before the legal working dates listed on the DS-2019 (program end date), it is your responsibility to inform the USUF and get approval for a new job. A: You can have two jobs as long as it does not conflict with the responsibilities of your primary job and is approved by USUF. Q: How do I apply for a Social Security Number? A: You MUST secure a Social Security number (SSN) in order to work legally in the U.S. a special U.S. agency - the Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov) is responsible for issuing a SSN. There are many SSA offices throughout the United States. To locate the nearest office you can call 1-800-772-1213 or visit www.ssa.gov/locator. It will take approximately 15 business days to receive a Social Security number and 40-60 days for the card. Please find more detailed information about SSN in your Summer Work Travel Brochure. Q: What happens if the employer breaks the conditions of the Employment Agreement? A: We encourage you to contact our office immediately if you have problem at your job. We will resolve each case individually.
GENERAL INFORMATION
A: Yes, please check with Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in your state http://www.dmv.org/. Usually, in order to get a driver's license, you are required to take written exam and a driving tests. Q: Am I allowed to smoke and consume alcoholic
beverages in the U.S.?
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