Work and Travel - WISE - Worldwide International Student Exchange

About the Work & Travel Program - Information for Students

Program Options:

WISE® Placement
Self Placement

WISE® Placement

What types of jobs do students selecting WISE® Placements receive?

WISE® will arrange a basic, entry level job for you, much like one that a student in the US would have during a school break.

You will not normally be able to have a position that offers training for your future career, but you will certainly be able to learn a lot through your job if you are open to new people and experiences. The Work & Travel Program does not require that participants have special training or professional skills. We just ask that you have a positive attitude about hard work! Earn money while you get to know the country as no tourist can. Here is a sample of the types of businesses where WISE® places students in the country. These types of positions are located in many states across the US.

· Theme Parks
· Hotels
· National Parks
· Retail Stores
· Ski Resorts

When WISE® receives your application through one of our overseas partners, we will review your interests and coordinate the available employers that best fit your interests and skills to arrange for an offer. Please note that not all first choices can be met, and the most popular locations and positions are filled first so applying early is very important.

WISE® services for you include:

· Guaranteed job placement prior to arrival.
· Experienced, friendly staff.
· Thorough review of WISE® placements to ensure suitable opportunities and
accessibility to housing and transportation.
· Affordable housing arrangements (avg. $250-$300 per month) or assistance through your employer.
· Documentation and support for obtaining your J-1 visa (DS-2019 form)
· Assistance with your visa application.
· Comprehensive health insurance.
· Pre-departure orientation.
· Assistance in obtaining Social Security Card.
· An Emergency, toll-free 24-hour assistance telephone number:
1-888-242-7456.
· Support from your WISE® partner organization before your arrival, and support from WISE® Offices and Staff while you are in the US.
· Detailed participant handbook.
· Post-arrival orientation through your host site.

Self Placement

Eligible students are allowed to arrange their own placement. If you elect to arrange your own placement, you will be required to collect a job offer and host employer agreement from your placement. You can get this paperwork from your local WISE® Work & Travel Overseas Partner Agency. WISE must then vet and approve this placement. This option is a great solution for 2nd timers on the program or those students who have specific preferences for their placements.

There are certain positions that WISE® does not consider acceptable for the SELF Placement program. WISE® reserves the right to reject any job offer if the position is deemed to jeopardize the applicant's well being and/or safety or that would in the judgment of WISE® not suitably represent the cultural exchange objectives of this program. Please consult with your local WISE® Work & Travel Overseas Partner Agency prior to signing up for a job that may not be allowed.

Advice to students about Self-Placed Positions:

Every year, some participants encounter problems because they did not know enough about their self-placed position. Some students arrive to discover that there is no longer a position for them, or that there is nowhere for them to live. Although WISE® calls to make sure that all job offers are acceptable, students should take the steps necessary to make sure that the position they have arranged is secure and acceptable to them.

Applicants should:

·Before the interview, make certain that the position is definite, and that housing will be available.
· Before agreeing to work for an employer, verify that the job is acceptable with the local WISE® Work & Travel Overseas Partner Agency
· Inform the employer that WISE® will be calling to confirm the job offer.
· Keep in touch with the employer before arrival to make certain that everything is in order. Some of the larger employers over hire, since many applicants who accept the job may not actually show up. It is very important that participants make their employers aware that they are definitely coming!
· Get detailed travel directions to their employment site.