The SWT J-1 program allows international university students to work in the U.S. for up to four months. In addition to filling seasonal staffing needs, students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture of the U.S., giving them a greater understanding of the American business environment, while gaining a sense of independence by living on their own and returning to their home country with rich memories and a better insight into the values of a democratic and free market economy. After completing the work portion of their program, students are granted time for traveling and exploring the U.S. Explore Work and Travel International makes every effort to recruit students who are hardworking, open minded, motivated, flexible, and ready for new experiences.
Program Purpose
The purpose of the program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange; to strengthen the ties which unite the U.S with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and other nations. Also, the contributions being made toward a peaceful and more fruitful life for people throughout the world; to promote international cooperation for educational and cultural
advancement; and thus, to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations between the United States and other countries of the world.”
Students come to the U.S for the following reasons:
- To interact with the U.S. citizens, and to experience U.S culture while sharing their own with those they meet
- To gain independence by living and developing social skills among other international young adults
- To gain professional work experience by working in seasonal jobs, that require minimal training, in order to earn funds to help cover a portion of travel and living expenses
- To travel and learn about the U.S
Cultural and Volunteer Events
The J-1 exchange visitor visa was created for the primary purpose of enabling cultural exchange between the U.S and other nations. Cross-cultural exchange activities are an essential part of the J-1 exchange visitor program.
Students wanting to be a part of Explore Work and Travel International SWT program must:
- Participate and report their participation in cultural events and/or volunteer activities for the entire duration of their programs.
- Participate in any Cultural or Volunteer Event(s) created by EWT
- Acknowledge that they will not be paid for their participation in EWT Cultural or Volunteer Event(s), but they will gain a better understanding of the community in which they resided
Job Offer
Full-Placement – For Full Placement Students, they will receive detailed information about their Host Employer and employment position in the U.S through EWT and sponsor job offer.
Self-Placement- For Self-Placement Students, they must understand that since they have secured their own job offer, they must provide detailed information about their Host Employer to EWT and visa sponsor.
EWT Employment Terms
Students agree to the following employment terms:
- Arrive to their Host Employer in accordance with the start date listed on their job offer.
- Arrive into the U.S no more than 5-days prior to the start date listed on their DS-2019 form.
- Understand that their job offer may be cancelled by their Host Employer, if their arrival into the U.S is late. Students must understand that if this happens, the visa sponsor will cancel/shorten their program and they either will not be able to travel to the U.S or must return home.
- Commit to their job offer start and end dates.
- Understand that failure to complete their job offer start and end dates will be grounds for program termination.
- Understand that they may not begin working immediately due to training and/or employer needs.
- That it may take up to two weeks to receive their first paycheck and they are prepared to financially support themselves during this time.
- Understand that they are required to inform EWT and visa sponsor immediately if they encounter a problem with their Host Employer while in the U.S.
- Communicate with their Host Employer in a professional manner.
- Understand that they may not start work at any job until visa sponsor has approved and vetted such job. Students must understand that their program will be terminated if they fail to comply with this requirement.
- If their Host Employers should terminate them for just cause, understand that they will also be terminated from the SWT program, requiring them to return home immediately at their own expense.
- Acknowledge that they are not allowed to quit their job without prior written permission from visa sponsor. Choosing to quit or abandon a visa sponsor approved employer will result in their immediate termination from the program, requiring them to return home immediately at their own expense.
- Understand that changes in employment terms, hours, and position availability may occur before or after arrival.
- Understand that work hours may be directly impacted by weather, seasonal levels of business and other unpredictable causes.
