FAQs

1.Can a student obtain more than one job?

Although students may have more than one job, they should seek to maintain a healthy work and life balance and incorporate cultural excursions, contact with Americans, and improving their English as important aspects of the program.

2.What kind of work is it?

SWT program includes a variety of entry-level, short-term positions, including retail staff, waitstaff, kitchen staff, front-desk, maintenance, housekeeping, dishwashing, and ride operations.

3.Can I apply the designated location?

We do not place people at camps based on location requests. We would rather recommend you to a camp which suits your skills, experience, background, and personality better than a camp in a specific location you may not be as compatible with. We would arrange you to some place you like, but it takes more time.

4.What if I need help or have any questions during the season?

If you have any problems during the internship, please contact the American Foundation first. If the matter cannot be resolved, you can contact our American correspondent.

5.Security Guarantee for the Program

All J-1 programs are international in nature, with young people from dozens of countries participating each year in addition to applicants from China. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and operates under the framework of educational laws. Participants must register their personal information through the Student and Exchange Visitors Information System (SEVIS). Upon arrival in the United States, participants will also need to apply for a Social Security Card, which serves as an identification card in the U.S. and a proof of legal work and tax payment. Therefore, during their stay in the United States, program participants are protected by U.S. law, and the sponsor will also purchase insurance for participants in the U.S., with coverage typically ranging from 1.5 to 3 million RMB. Every job placement arranged by the sponsor is with a large enterprise, and the enterprise will also provide insurance for all employees. The sponsor provides 24/7 emergency rescue services in the United States, and most workplaces have local coordinators who can respond promptly to any issues. The Chinese Embassy in the United States provides assistance to Chinese citizens in the U.S. Every year, many Chinese students go to the United States through J-1 programs, and there are emergency protocols in place for handling any incidents.

6.Can the program achieve a balance between income and expenses?

Generally, when applicants receive a job offer from an employer or camp, they will have a rough idea of their salary and position. Currently, the average hourly wage in the United States is $8-14 per hour, with a weekly working hours ranging from 35 to 45. If applicants can find another part-time work during their stay in the U.S., achieving a balance between income and expenses is relatively straightforward. However, it is important to note that because the work location for camp counselors is usually in mountainous or lakeside areas, and all camps require counselors to live on-site, it is not possible to find a second job or engage in part-time work.

7.Can I apply for the program with my friends?

Certainly! We strongly recommend that you apply with friends. However, due to the different requirements for employees in each position, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in the same position. If you have the need, we will do our best to match you and your friend with the same position or place you in the same city. Don’t forget that even if you work in different places, you can travel around the US together after work.

8.What skills should I have while applying to the program?

Different programs require different skills. You needn’t worry about being without skills. If you apply for a SWT program, you can do basic work without skills. If you have skills, it will help you to apply for high-salary and rewarding jobs. Camp Counselor Program requires a certain proficiency in English and you should be capable of communicating with others in daily life. Trainee /Intern programs require you to have a certain level of professionalism.

9.How long will it take for me to get an offer?

It depends on how effectively you apply for the program and the employer interviews. Once you have completed your application, you will proceed to the Placement Stage (employer interview). Ideally, the employer will give you an interview within 2-6 weeks after reviewing your profile. The efficiency of the interview will depend greatly on your employer. Don’t worry about that! We will try our best to help you get an offer as soon as possible.

10.How can I interview with my employer?

After the employer has reviewed your profile with satisfaction, he/she will send you an invitation for an interview by email and negotiate a time for the interview with you. Interviews are mainly conducted through Zoom or other online software. You need to download and be familiar with the procedures of the software in advance according to the employer’s requirements, in order to ensure that the interview goes smoothly.

11.How long can I stay in the US?

When you receive an offer, the Foundation will issue you the DS-2019 form, which clearly outlines the period you will be working in the US and the length of time you are permitted to stay. SWT Program and Summer Camp Program both provide the opportunity for applicants to live, work, and travel for up to 4 months in the US; Intern program is for up to 12 months; Trainee Program is for up to 18 months.

12.Can I recommend my friends to employers?

Although employers sends out the interview invitations by selecting resumes on the website, you can recommend your peers to employers when you are successful in your interviews, and employers are happy to accept in this way. If you would like to join the program with a peer, you can enthusiastically recommend your peer to the employer.

13.What kind of person is more suitable for participating in this program?

Students who plan to study abroad in the United States and want to experience American culture and life in advance. Many students who want to pursue further studies abroad can first try to see if they are suitable for this environment before making a final decision. Responsible and capable “mature” university students. The vast majority of students are traveling abroad for the first time. Due to cultural and language differences, various problems are inevitable. However, during this process, everyone can develop their ability to independently solve problems, such as managing relationships with landlords and employers, interacting with students from other countries, and arranging their own lives in a foreign country.

14.What is the meaning of this program?

It’s not just an opportunity to make money or travel. It allows you to live in a foreign country in the way you want for three to four months. In these few short months, you can live without any worries or concerns about others’ opinions. You can just be yourself, especially in the open and inclusive culture of the United States. You will experience many unknowns and learn and grow from many new experiences. Such experiences may not change our destiny, but they can show us a true self when we haven’t completely lost curiosity about the world. They provide us with continuous strength during the lows of life in the future.

15.How to choose a placement?

Generally, we will help match applicants with appropriate jobs based on their spoken English proficiency and personal preferences. However, the matching result depends mainly on the employer’s resume screening and interview, which is a two-way selection process. Many students want to work in big cities like New York, Los Angeles, or Seattle, but the location of the job is not as important as imagined. Some popular locations have fewer positions open to Chinese students because employers prefer native English speakers or students who have grown up in Western cultures. Most positions are located in travel towns, where life is slower and more pure, offering a stronger sense of experience. Additionally, accommodation in big cities is particularly expensive, so it might be worth considering traveling to major cities for sightseeing during grace period after the program. Since the positions in SWT are all basic service jobs, each position has its pros and cons. For example, cashiers and salespeople have to stand all day, room attendants may have long periods of solitude while cleaning, and lifeguards or amusement park staff may be exposed to the sun for extended periods. Kitchen helpers may need to lift heavy objects, fry fries, and cut vegetables, among other tasks. There is no perfect position, so we hope everyone can approach it with an open mind, experience and feel more, and be prepared to work hard.