WELCOME

2014

American Work Adventures offers full-time university students from around the world the opportunity to participate on the Work Travel Program throughout the USA during their school breaks.

American Work Adventures (AWA) is designated by the Department of State to administer the J-1 Summer Work and Travel Program.

American Work Adventures (AWA) is Your Sponsor.

We are your first point of contact throughout your stay in the United States on your SWT program. If you have any questions about your exchange program or need any assistance while in the United States, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

Who is American Work Adventures?

As a designated sponsoring agency through the US Department of State,

AWA is able to provide the following for our international participants:

Documentation for obtaining the J-1 Visa and a Social Security number

Medical Insurance

Travel Arrangements

Cultural Activities

A 24-hour Emergency Toll Free Hotline

Through this program you will:

-Broaden your understanding of the American way of life

-Be introduced to the cultural diversity of the United States

-Gain international work experience

-Improve your English skills in a fast and fun way

-Have the opportunity to travel across the U.S.!

-Make new friends from other countries

-Build an impressive resume

-Become independent and confident

-Participate in cultural events with Americans and other international participants

Summer Work and Travel Program

The Summer Work Travel program enables college and university students from around the world to experience U.S. culture and

share their culture and ideas with the people of the United States through seasonal work and travel opportunities.

SEVIS I-901 Fee ($35) and Visa

Application Fee

J-1 Visa

DS-2019 Form

Confirmation page of on-line submitted DS-160 with CEAC bar code

Passport

Employment Offer

One photograph

Your J-1 visa will be placed in your passport with the program number on it.

Take the following documents with you to your local U.S. Embassy to apply for the J-1 visa:

Item 1

Item 2

Item 3

Item 4

Item 5

Item 6

Visa Rules

You must apply for a J-1 visa in your home country.

Your visa is valid during your DS-2019 FORM program dates.

You are NOT allowed to work beyond the end date of your DS-2019 Form

You may not apply for an extension of your J-1 visa

You must be committed to work for the length of the job position, but for no longer than 4 months.

After completing the program, you are allowed to travel for 30 days– this is called the grace period. Within this timeframe, you are still subject to the university's official academic break schedule.

SEVISStudent Exchange Visitor Information System

This System is administered by the Department of Homeland Security and is used to collect and maintain information on the current status of non-immigrants (e.g. J-1 applicants) and their dependents in the sponsor’s program during their stay in the United States.

All J-1 applicants must pay SEVIS fees ($35.00 ) before applying for the visa. Failure to do so may result in a delay at the U.S. Embassy.

When you arrive in the United States, you must contact AWA to ensure that your data in SEVIS is accurate and updated. Failing to maintain your status could result in serious consequences and may affect your ability to remain in or return to the United States.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME

Prepare

Travel Itinerary

Ensure you have the necessary travel itinerary and contact information for a safe arrival into the United States. You MUST submit your travel info to AWA 14-days BEFORE your departure from your home country.

Transportation Arrangement

Ensure that you have transportation arranged from the port of entry (e.g. airport) to your destination.

Housing arrangements

Ensure that you have housing secured beforeyou depart your home country.

Financial Support

Bring at least $800.00

Also:

Read the pre-arrival material, program rules and regulations provided and if you need clarification, contact AWA. It is crucial you read your AVI insurance information.

Research the internet to learn about the area in which you will be placed

Visit your doctor. The insurance you receive from AWA is a travel insurance policy and it is meant for sudden illnesses and medical emergencies, and is not for routine care or major tragedies. If you think you will need additional coverage, please contact your country agency as soon as possible!

Travel Arrangements

You must make your own international round-tripflight arrangements.

Your local agency will be able to assist you with an international flight ticket.

Once you have confirmed your flight, you must report this information to your local agency and AWA.

You MUST submit your flight information 14-days

before your arrival date or you may risk losing your job placement and/or may not be picked up upon arrival in the U.S. by your employer.

Before you depart for the U.S. your housing must be secured

Housing Arrangements

If your employer provides housing, you will be notified well in advance of your arrangements. You will need to maintain communication with your employer, if you should have additional questions or need transportation upon your arrival

If your employer doesn’t provide housing, AWA team will assist and provide you with list of local, affordable housing options.

Your housing costs should be reasonably budgeted and not exceed your monthly income. Do note, you will be responsible for your deposit and monthly rent.

Please refer to your Handbook for tips on different housing options.

Please contact AWA immediately in case of any issues related to your housing.

The Adventure Begins!

Always carry with you copies of:

Passport-

J-1 Visa

DS-2019 Form

I-94 FormMedical

Insurance

Arrival Report: SEVIS

• You are required to submit Arrival Report within first 72 hours of your arrival to the United States.

• In order to approve your arrival report you must submit it from the physical location where you will be working at and input your housing (not employer’s) address.

• If you move while in the United States to another housing location, you must contact AWA so that your address can be updated in SEVIS.

Arrival Report

As soon as you arrive at your work site (not airport) ,

you MUST submit arrival report at AWA website

Submitting your Arrival Report as required by the Department of State will allow us to validate your SEVIS record to indicate that you are participating in the program.

Your SEVIS record (current U.S. housing address and Site of

Activity/Employer details) must be updated at all times. Any

changes in the U.S. address MUST be reported to AWA within 10

days of such a change.

You have 72 hours to

submit Arrival Report

• Please login to your AWA Account and submit

your arrival information.

• To login to your AWA Account, you will need

the username and password you used when

you first created your program application. If

you need help, please feel free to contact

AWA.

How to Submit Arrival Report?

A Social Security Card is required to ensure that

your wages are properly paid.

You can apply for SSN

after:

you submit Arrival

Report to AWA and

receive a confirmation

about your program

status validation

10 days after the day

you enter the U.S.

When you apply for SSN, you must bring the following original documents:

Passport with J-1 visa

I-94 Form (stapled in your passport)

DS-2019 Form

Social Security Letter from AWA

Employment Offer

Fill out and print Form SS-5

Social Security Card

Culture Shock

During your first few weeks in the U.S., you may begin to feel homesick or lonely.

These are common symptoms of culture shock. Culture shock is a normal emotional and behavioral reaction to living and working in another country. The experience of culture shock can feel like a roller coaster ride of emotions.

Don’t be afraid to call and talk to AWA team or your supervisor for support, and stay friendly and positive.

Make new friends and stay involved with your job and the community!

The use or possession of alcohol or drugs while on the employer premises is STRICTLY PROHIBITED

The legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21

Note: Random drug testing may be required

Drug and Alcohol Use

Understand terms and conditions of your job prior to your departure.

Please remember that you may NOT begin working at a second job, or any job until AWA has verified the terms and conditions of such employment and fully vetted your host employer. Please do not leave your current employer without contacting AWA –your sponsor.

If you believe that you are being treated unfairly by an employer, please contact the AWA staff right away!

Establish a strong work ethic

Work up to the date you committed to

Be enthusiastic and have a positive attitude.

Be on time.

Be a team player.

Dress appropriately.

Maintain your personal hygiene

Get involved!

Follow company policies

Be polite and considerate

You may feel overwhelmed by the new culture and language at first, but remember that you will learn and understand more each day! Contact AWA in case of any questions!

U.S. Work Environment

Employment in the U.S.

If you start working without AWA’s written consent you will violate SWT program rules.

“An exchange visitor who engages in unauthorized employment shall be deemed to be in violation of his or her program status and is subject to termination as a participant in an exchange visitor program.’’

• You may NOT start, change, or add jobs before AWA, your visa sponsor, has authorized and vetted the host employer.

• Once the host employer is verified (within 72 hours) you will receive a written confirmation from AWA.

Letters, notes, telephone calls, or material of a sexual nature

Sexual Harassment

Sexual innuendos, jokes, or comments

Repeatedly asking for a date after the person has expresseddisinterest

Unwelcome touching of a person’s body, hair or clothing

Visual pictures or images degrading someone based on their sex

As defined by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, this conduct affects an individual’s employment and creates an intimidating and hostile work environment.

This kind of disrespectful behavior is NEVER acceptable.

Please contact AWA immediately if you have any questions related to

Sexual Harassment.

Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual including the following:

Toll Free Line: 888-292-0088

Taxes All AWA participants are required to pay:

Federal and State taxes, however, they are

exempt from Medicare, Social Security and

Federal Unemployment Taxes.

Because they are classified as nonresident

aliens, and as such are not eligible for these

benefits, they do not have to pay FICA, FUTA or

Medicare. These taxes should not be deducted

from their paychecks. For the relevant tax

legislation refer to: Publication 15 - Circular E,

Employers Tax Guide Section 15 - Special rules

for various types of services and payments

Special Classes of Employment - Student,

scholars, trainees, teachers, etc. Point 5 -

Nonimmigrant alien holding F-1, J-1, M-1 or Q-1

visas. This publication can be downloaded

from: www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf

All AWA participants should be issued a W-2

form so they can file tax returns.

You may be able to obtain a debit

card that you can use to pay for

purchases and to withdraw cash

from ATM machines.

It is wise to open a bank

account. When you talk with a

bank be sure to ask whether or

not they offer “free checking

accounts”. To open an account

you should bring your passport

and Social Security Card with

you.

Your Finances

AWA will assist you with your insurance claims, however, you must send all documentation to our office. Please make photocopies of all documents prior to sending them.

You can also contact AVI directly at:

1-800-277-8051

7901 36th Street Suite 100

Davie, FL 33328 USA

E-mail: customerservice@gmmusa.com

AWA group policy number: 920.012

For more information about AVI, please visit:

www.avi-international.info/en/index-en.html

Insurance

AWA participants are covered by a comprehensive medical

insurance during the visa period through AVI International.

Covered:

Illness or accidental injury

Cost of treatment

Treatment and care

Dental and necessitated by accident

Travel Cost

Ambulance in connection with treatment

Medical evacuation to home country

Not Covered:

Any non-emergency

treatment

Eye examinations, including

eyeglasses and contact

lenses

Dental examinations,

including broken or chipped

teeth, lost fillings while eating,

chewing, etc.

Treatment prescribed by a

physician in the insured’s

home country as well as

treatment stemming from a

prior illness

InsuranceAWA participants are covered by a comprehensive medical insurance during the

visa period through AVI International.

Failure to respond to AWA’s monthly

monitoring in a timely manner will

put your program at risk of

termination.

Please use this monthly monitoring emails to inform us on your cultural

activities, overall program satisfaction and to report any problems.

AWA will check in with you at least once

a month (on 7th every month via e-mail)

to confirm that you are safe and

comfortable, and remind you to report

any address or work changes.

You MUST respond to AWA’s check in.

Monthly Check Ins

Cultural Component

The American Work

Adventures Work and Travel

Program offers you an

opportunity to expand your

horizons, as well as learn new

skills.

The program will broaden your

understanding of the

American way of life, and

introduce you to the cultural

diversity of the United States.

While on your program, take

advantage of this great

opportunity to make friends,

learn new ideas, and perform

your job duties to the best of

your abilities.

We believe you will represent your country well, while living and working in the U.S. Being a good ambassador of your country carries many challenges, as well as rewards.

Cultural ComponentContinued

Cultural component of this program is very important and AWA, as your sponsor, will ensure that you will be engaged in cultural activities/events outside of work by visiting national parks, historic sites, major cities, scenic areas, etc.

We will help you identify and organize cultural offerings available near your work locations and in other parts of the country.

We encourage you to participate in activities offered by AWA, local communities, local sport events, meals with Americans, nature outings, etc.

We need to be aware if you are not engaging in cultural events sufficiently on your own-please stay in touch at all times!

Communication

Communication

E-Mail SKYPE

MailPhone

E-mail: If you do not already have one, set up a free e-mail account through www.yahoo.com, www.gmail.com, or www.hotmail.com. Many cafes, libraries, and office service stores (ex. Kinko’s) offer Internet access for a small fee.

Skype: Free internet phone calls, video calls, instant messaging via Skype. See how easy to use Skype at http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/home

Telephone: Buy a calling card for all of your international telephone calls. For international calls, dial 011 + country code + phone number.

Mail: You can buy stamps at a post office for mail you wish to send. International rates vary from country to country.

An emergency identified is as:

A life or death crisis as critical

injury or illness required

hospitalization

If you are a victim of a violent

crime

If there is a fire or you need

the police

If you are in emergency

situation and need immediate

help please call 911. Make

sure you answer all questions

clearly and carefully.

Non-emergency Concerns

Please call the AWA office

during business hours

707-559-5803

(8:30 am – 5:30 pm PST)

In Case of Emergency

Call AWA toll free or emergency number at

1-888-292-0088

In crowded areas like airports

and bus train stations, always

keep your property close to you

or in a concealed place.

Do not carry large amounts of

cash and do not expose it in

crowded places.

Travel with a friend as much as

possible. Do not use ATM

machines in the dark, especially

if you are alone. When possible,

take copies of needed

documents with you, and keep

your originals in a safe place.

Be aware of your surroundings.

Do not behave in ways which

may bring attention of thieves

or someone who might try and

take advantage of you.

AWA Contact Information

755 Baywood Drive, Suite 380, Petaluma, CA 94954

1-888-292-0088

1-707-981-7370

studentservices@workadventures.org

www.workadventures.org

As your Sponsor, American Work Adventures, is ALWAYS here to help and support you throughout your time on the program. We can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during our office hours or at

our toll free emergency number.

Address:

Toll Free

Emergency:

Fax:

E-mail:

Website:

NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING RESOURCE CENTER:

1-888-373-7888

2200 C Street, N.W. , Washington, D.C. 20522

1-866-283-9090

jvisas@state.gov

http://j1visa.state.gov/participants

U.S. Department of StateContact Information

Address:

Emergency Help Line

Help Line:

E-Mail:

Website:

Good Luck and Safe Travels!

We look forward to having you on the

program!

Our mission at American Work

Adventures is to open doors to the bright

minds of the world – so that the youth of today

can help spread the message of cross-

cultural understanding and genuine friendship

into the global community of

tomorrow.