LifeTRAVELED Summer Work & Travel (SWT) BridgeUSA Program
The LifeTRAVELED Summer Work & Travel program is a cultural exchange initiative that provides post-secondary students the life-changing opportunity to immerse themselves in American culture, create impactful relationships that strengthen global relations, travel across the diverse landscape of the United States, and gain valuable work experience in seasonal positions in cities across the US.
Program at a Glance
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The LifeTRAVELED SWT program includes:
• a paid summer job for up to 4 months secured prior to arrival.
• DS-2019 paperwork processing required for the J-1 Visa. LifeTRAVELED is a designated J1 Visa Sponsor by the U.S. State Department for the Work & Travel program.
• housing assistance (host employer provided housing, LifeTRAVELED referred housing, or self-housing verification)
• participant pre-arrival and post-arrival information to prepare for the program.
• a 24/7 emergency assistance telephone number: 1.888.992.3872
• health/travel insurance that exceeds Department of State requirements.
• a coordinator to assist you throughout the entire program.
• up to 30 days allowed for travel at the end of the program.
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To be eligible for the LifeTRAVELED SWT program, you must
• be 18-28 years old.
• be registered as a full-time student at an accredited university or other state recognized institution of post-secondary education. The degree/diploma course on which you are registered must be at least 2 years in duration. You must have completed at least one semester of study. Students on post-graduate courses which are less than two years can also be accepted (e.g. masters courses). "Gap year" students or high school graduates are not eligible.
• be able to function in an English-speaking work environment. Before participating in the Summer Work & Travel Program, you will be screened for an intermediate/advanced level of English.
• undergo an interview conducted by a LifeTRAVELED staff member and/or a partner organization either in person or virtually (for example, Skype).
• have a pre-arranged job and a minimum of $1,000 (US dollars) available to support yourself upon arrival in the USA.
• be able to prove that you will return home at the end of the program by showing ties to your home country.
Cultural Component
While the employment aspect of the program is a benefit, the main purpose of the program is to experience the American culture (think road tripping the California Coast, visiting the Happiest Place on Earth, or scouting the best burger in the USA) and share your culture with Americans (teach us your national dance, speak your native language with us, tell us about your culture’s history, and more)
TESTIMONIALS
If you would like to join the program, please fill out an interest form. If you are from a country that we have a partnership with an in-country agency, we will forward your request onto them. If we don’t have a recruiting partner in your country, a coordinator will reach out to you. We cannot wait to meet you!
Summer Work and Travel Stories
