Training And internship News
Fourth quarter 2007	“WISE® Support- it makes the difference”
Below are a few quotes from program evaluations: “I have learned a lot in the Rooms division area. I plan to go back to my country and work in a five star hotel and become a manager. Hospitality is my passion, and I plan to implement all of what I’ve learned…” -Training participant, Florida “I will definitely use all of the management skills I have learned in my training program to achieve my goals.” -Training participant, California “The program has given our managers the opportunity to train and develop [trainees] and provided the hotel with a committed [trainee] who is willing to learn and develop in the industry.” -Host site manager, Maryland “We have found that [trainees] that come to us are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to [train] in their field of study. This energy spreads through the staff…The majority of [participants] coming through this program are very well trained, and are capable of taking on additional responsibilities adding to their management training.” - Host site manager, Connecticut	Happy Holidays 2007 This has been an exciting and transformative year for WISE®. Please read below about the latest news from the Training and Internship Team, brush up on the social security and visa validation process and be sure to read the tip about travel authorization. If you have any suggestions, or comments for the WISE® e-update, please send them to Peter at peter@wisefoundation.com In this edition: WISE® Tip: Travel Authorization News and Notes: Social Security and Visa Validation New Regulations Haven’t Slowed the Season New WISE® Website Coming Soon WISE® Staff grows, welcomes new faces WISE® Tip: Travel Authorization With the holiday season coming soon, many participants will be taking vacations. If a participants travels outside of the United States at any time during their training program, it is necessary for them to follow certain steps in order to re-enter the U.S. and continue their program. These steps are outlined in the WISE® participant manual. Here is a summary of the process for obtaining travel authorization. Participants should send the following documents to WISE®, at least two weeks prior to departing the United States: - A letter from their host site manager or HR office stating that they have permission to be away from their training and the dates of their trip. This should be on company letterhead. - The original DS-2019 form* - A check or money order made out to WISE® for $15, which covers the cost of return shipping of the DS-2019 form* - A return mailing address and phone number* * If the trainee has already taken a trip outside of the U.S., it may not be necessary to send the DS-2019 form to WISE® again. Please contact WISE® prior to sending this form a second time. Back to top
	News and Notes
	Friendly greetings from the back office at the Vail Mountain Marriott Social Security and Visa Validation Before the Social Security Administration assigns a Social Security Number to a new participant, it is essential that the visa be validated. Validation is a simple process which basically involves providing WISE® with local address and contact information. Participants cannot be validated prior to their arrival to the U.S.  Essentially the validation process is verification that the participant has arrived to their site and has checked in with their sponsor. Validation can be easily be completed via the WISE® website here. It is required that WISE® participants validate their visa within two weeks of their arrival in the U.S. Back to top		New regulations haven’t slowed the season 2007 has been a dynamic year for WISE® as we have faced the challenges of adapting to new regulations, and the introduction of the J-1 Internship program. It was unknown how these changes would effect the end of the calendar year, which has been a traditionally busy time for the WISE® Training team. So far, it is business as usual. Graduates from the fall semester at overseas schools are still seeking to start their industry training, and many active students are now considering internships in the United States, which had previously seemed impractical. The new regulations have actually expanded the options for students, while still allowing opportunity for participation of professional with many years of industry experience.
			New WISE® Website coming soon Stay tuned! A new site for WISE® will be launched by early 2008. In addition to sporting a fresh new look, the site will include revised and simplified information about all WISE® programs, including application forms, and instructions for participation. Sneak preview of the new WISE® website to be launched soon. Back to top
The Foundation for Worldwide International Student Exchange (WISE®) is a non-profit organization providing international exchange opportunities to students, youth and adults. For more information about the WISE® Internship and Training program or other programs, contact WISE® at: WISE® Foundation 1853 Piedmont Road Suite 200 Marietta, Georgia 30066 USA 770-579-0257 Fax 770-579-0219 E-mail training@wisefoundation.com internship@wisefoundation.com We’re on the Web! www.wisefoundation.com	WISE® staff grows, welcomes new faces
	Ever wonder who the friendly voice is on the other end of the phone? The Training and Internship staff has recently grown to welcome two new teammates: Holly Mounger provides administrative support for the team. In her off hours, she attends Kennesaw State University and studies Spanish diligently. Mandy Bradley is a new program manager and is currently in charge of screening applications, and communicating with host sites and participant candidates. She recently returned from Japan, where she spent a year teaching English and studying Japanese. Pictured left to right: Todd Buchla, Holly Mounger, Carrie Linville, Mandy Bradley, and Peter May. Back to top
	We welcome your comments. Please send all comments to Peter May: peter@wisefoundation.com If you would prefer not to receive the WISE® Training e-update and would like to be removed from our mailing list, please contact peter@wisefoundation.com