PARTICIPANTPRE-

DEPARTURE ORIENTATIONPart I of III

Presented by Alliance Abroad GroupYour designated visa sponsor Version

11/17/2014

• Alliance Abroad Group, (AAG) has prepared the following presentation in order to meet and exceed the U.S. Department of State J-1 visa regulations found in section {62.10} Program Administration.

• This is Part I of III presentations that will help prepare you as you embark on your cultural exchange program in the U.S.

• Presentation Part I Overview:

• Program Purposes & Descriptions• Key Program Partnerships• Important Contact Information• Program Welcome Brochure & Welcome Letter• Participant Handbook and Participant Portal• Proceed with Part II of Pre-Departure Orientation Program

Congratulations!

“The purpose of this program is to provide foreign college and

university students with opportunities to interact with U.S. citizens, experience U.S.

culture while sharing their own cultures with Americans they

meet, travel in the United States, and work in jobs that

require minimal training and are seasonal or temporary in order to earn funds to help defray a

portion of their expenses.”

{62.32 (b)} Summer Work Travel

Summer Work Travel Program

Summer Work Travel Program Requirements

• Program Participants must be sufficiently proficient in English to successfully interact in an English speaking environment;

• Program Participant must be a post-secondary school student enrolled in and actively pursuing a degree or other full-time course of study at an accredited educational institution outside the United States;

• Program duration is up to 4 months;

• Job placements are considered entry level, and seasonal or temporary;

• Pay and benefits commensurate with American counterparts

Designated Sponsor ObligationsAs your program sponsor, AAG is Obligated to:•Comply with and educate all parties on Department of State Program Regulations,•Adequately staff, train and provide support to all program participants,•Monitor the safety, health and welfare of each AAG sponsored participant,•Provide effective 24 hours support to all program participants.

Key Program Partnerships• Department of State: Governing body for all J-1 Visa Programs• Alliance Abroad Group: Your Designated Visa Sponsor • Partner Agency: Your Home Country Agency or Program Enroller• Host Company: Your Employer during your Program• Outreach Coordinator: Your assigned AAG dedicated team member for support during your program

AAG Provides Support 24 Hours/7 Days a Week

Toll Free Number: 1 – 866 622-7623Email: supportinfo@allianceabroad.comAddress: 1221 South Mopac Expressway, Suite 100

Austin, Texas 78746Normal Business Hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm Central Standard Time

All safety, health or welfare emergencies will be patched through to an AAG On Call Representative after Normal

Business Hours.Messages will be taken for non-emergencies and will be

responded to the next business day.

Responsible Officer: John McNamaraAlternative Responsible Officer: Laurie Moxley

Introduction: Program Welcome BrochureU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE CONTACT INFORMATIONAddress:ECA/EC/OPA, State Annex – 44 (SA-44)301 4th Street, SW, Room 349Washington, DC 20547-4406General Telephone Number: 202-632-2805J-1 Visa Hotline (Emergencies): 1-866-283-9090 Fax Number: 202-453-8961Email (General Inquires): jvisas@state.govWebsite: http://j1visa.state.gov/

Program Welcome Brochure Highlights• Contact Information• Jobs that are Not Allowed• Safety Tips & Preparation for a Successful Experience• First Point of Contact: Your Designated Sponsor, AAG

Program Welcome Brochure – Page One

Program Welcome Brochure – Page Two

Summer Work Travel Participant Letter

From Robin J. Lerner

Deputy Assistant SecretaryFor Private

Sector Exchange

Summer Work Travel Participant Letter Highlights

1. Congratulations Welcome from Robin Lerner2. Be Prepared

• Before Departure Contact Your Employer• Provide you Sponsor your arrival details• Ensure you planned your travel from the airport to your

destination• Have enough money to cover your expenses• Study the pre-arrival materials• Contact your sponsor with any additional questions• Research using the internet and learn about your new city &

neighborhood3. First Point of Contact during your program is Your Designated

Sponsor (Alliance Abroad Group)4. Still concerned or issues unresolved reach out to the Department of

State

You should have received AAG Sponsor Letter with your DS-2019 document.

You will need to present this letter at your embassy appointment.

The bottom portion of this Sponsor Letter is your AAG ID card.

J1 Summer Work Travel Sponsor Letter

AAG J-1 Participant Handbook

Participant Handbook is a great resource to get you ready for your program in the US! The information provided includes program regulations, insurance, taxes, American culture and much more

To Download the Participant Handbook, please go to:http://participants.allianceabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/ParticipantsHandbook2016.pdf

AAG Participant Portal

This is a GREAT resource for YOU during your program. Please check “Before Program”, “During Program” and “After Program” headings to see information that will be helpful and useful to you. SEVIS, SSN, Monthly Check In, Insurance, Taxes, and much more- it’s all there!

www.participants.allianceabroad.com

Next Steps…Review Part II of III

Presented by Alliance Abroad GroupYour designated visa sponsor

Version11/17/2014