Work & Travel

Do something different with your summer vacation: live and work as a typical American student in the United States with Stage-USA’s Work & Travel Program!

What is Work & Travel?

Work & Travel allows you to spend your summer break working in the US to gain a valuable experience in American culture at an American company in which you are GUARANTEED an hourly payment of at least $7.25 per hour. The J-1 work and travel visa allows you to stay up to four months, anytime from April 15 until October 15, and also the opportunity to travel up to 30 days after your work placement ends!

You can gain the experience of a lifetime, improve your English, expand your resume, travel in the US, and make lasting friendships that you will never forget!

To participate in the J-1 Work and Travel Program you must be:

• between 18 and 30 years of age
• a current full-time university student in your home country (in the Netherlands, this means any student enrolled in MBO/HBO/universiteit)
• able to communicate well in English
• able to prove you have $750 for arrival funds

Click here to view our price for the Work & Travel program.

Requirements

There are some requirements if you plan on participating in the ‘Work & Travel’ program. This program is only accessible for full time university students (ages 18-30). Also, to be able to work within the US for a few months you need to get a J-1 Visa, which we will assist you with. Intermediate or better English skills are also required considering the fact that most jobs are within the hospitality & service sector where a direct contact to American customers is constant. You also need to provide a bank statement showing you have $750 for arrival funds.

Duration

The duration of your stay is up to you, as long as it is within a certain time frame during the summer months. This time frame varies per country of origin (see below examples for Germany & Holland). Before or after your individual working period, there is a 30 day ‘grace period’ for traveling including your departure from states to your home country. It is not permitted to work during this period. The exact program dates and duration also have to be in line with the host company expectations and requirements.

* You can add the 30 day ‘grace period’ before or after the dates mentioned above.

Safety & Security

Safety & Security is also an important factor during your ‘Work & Travel’ experience. Stage-USA will make sure that the work activities the host company offers will correspond with the purpose of the program. The program fees also include a basic health & accident coverage. Please make sure that you understand the rules of the insurance.

Also, it is important to take great care of yourself! Living and working in America will be exciting but also an adjustment. This means that it is important to be aware of U.S. laws and how to be safe. Furthermore, it is essential to keep a healthy relationship between you and your employer.

Work

Following the ‘Work & Travel’ program enables you not only to travel, but also to earn some money during your stay. Interacting with your American colleagues and within a foreign working environment will also help you to practice your English, gain experience, get to know the culture and even make new friends.

The working positions equal a side-job, including a rather high hourly salary and low educational requirements. The job opportunities vary from pool attendants to waitressing, to service personnel in retail and many more. An hourly payment of at least $7.25 per hour is guaranteed.