Work & Travel USA is, as its name suggests, an exchange visitor program that gives you the opportunity to work and travel in the United States. As a participant, you’ll have a unique chance to experience life in the U.S. as more than just a tourist. You will also be able to share your own traditions and culture with the American people, as well as other international students.
Once you meet the requirements of the program and you’re accepted, Global choices will do the following:
First, we will provide you with the proper documents so you can obtain a visa;
Second, we guarantee you a job offer, which generally includes pre-arranged, affordable housing;
Third, you will get further information regarding the parameters of the Work & Travel program and living and working in the U.S.
Summary of Conditions
Work and Travel USA - Summary of Conditions
Type of job
Entry-level jobs in hospitality industry.
Salary (other benefits)
USD 7.25-10 depending on the position. Federal minimum wage of USD 7.25 per hour is paid in non-tipped positions.
Accommodation
Available at average of USD 75 to 125 per week. We find reasonably priced housing for most participants.
Location of job placement
USA, various locations.
Duration of the placement
3 - 4 months during your university vacation, after which you are allowed to travel up to 1 month within US.
During the summer, you will work side by side with your U.S. counterparts at temporary entry-level jobs. It allows you to earn modest spending money and, at the same time, offset some living and travel expenses during your stay. After finishing your work commitment, you have an optional travel period to sightsee and further explore the American landscape.
Click a State to open available job positions in MS Word format.
Pease find the employers black list, a list of employers who failed to fulfill their responsibilities.
Eligibility. Who can apply?
In order to apply you must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years, and enrolled in a college or university outside of the US. You have to be able to function in an English speaking society. Applicants must arrive in the USA before employment is scheduled to begin, and they must be able to stay for the duration of the program. They must also be capable of performing the duties and tasks outlined in the job description. Finally, all participants must prove that they have sufficient funds to financially support themselves upon arrival in the US.
You must be a student at one of the following schools
Please check that you are a student at one of the following educational institutions.
B & B Institute of Business,
Bethel Bible College,
Bethlehem Moravian College,
Brown’s Town Community College,
Caribbean Graduate School of Theology,
Caribbean Maritime Institute,
Catholic College of Mandeville,
Church Teachers’ College,
Colbourne College,
College of Agriculture Science and Education,
College of Insurance and Professional Studies,
Crowne Institute of Professional Studies,
Dental Auxiliary School,
Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts,
Excelsior Community College (EXED),
Franciscan College of Jamaica,
G.C. Foster College,
Institute for Theological & Leadership Development,
Institute of Business and Technical Skills,
International College of the Cayman Islands,
International University of the Caribbean,
Jamaica Bible College,
Jamaica Constabulary Staff College,
Jamaican Institute of Management,
Jamaica Theological Seminary,
Justice Training Institute,
Knox Community College,
Management Institute for National Development (MIND),
Media Technology Institute,
Mel Nathan College, Mico College,
Moneague College,
Montego Bay Community College,
NCB Staff Training Centre,
National College of Management and Business,
Northern Caribbean University,
Nova Southeastern University,
Portmore Community College,
Professional Trainers Institute,
Royale College of Arts and Social Sciences,
Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College,
Shortwood Teachers’ College,
St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College,
Suriname College of Hospitality and Tourism,
University College of the Caribbean,
University of Technology of Jamaica,
University of the West Indies,
Vector Technology Institute,
Vocational Training Development Institute,
Western Hospitality Institute.
Program cost for Work and Travel USA
The registration period is 31st August until 15th January. The registration and program fee depends on the date when the student applies for the program and pays the registration fee. If the student registers and pays registration fee for the programme on:
Work and Travel USA - Fees and Payment Options
Program Registration Fee
If registered between 31st August and 30th September, registration fee is 2100 J$ ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 30th September;
If registered between 1st October and 31st October, registration fee is 2200 J$ ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 31st October;
If registered between 1st November and 30th November, registration fee is 2300 J$ ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 30th November;
If registered between 1st December and 31th December, registration fee is 2400 J$ ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 31st December;
If registered between 1st January and 15th January, registration fee is 2500 J$ ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 15th January.
To send your payment to Global Choices, you need to have opened a free Moneybookers account. If you are not already a Moneybookers user, please follow the link and register.
Once you are a member, you can upload money to your moneybookers.com account and send instantly the payment to the email address jamaica@globalchoices.org
Part of you fees will be donated to your University Career Services and one of the charities in Jamaica.
Self-arranged Program Fees
If registered between 31st August and 30th September, Self-arranged option is 445 USD ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 30th September;
If registered between 1st October and 31st October, Self-arranged option is 455 USD ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 31st October;
If registered between 1st November and 30th November, Self-arranged option is 465 USD ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 30th November;
If registered between 1st December and 31th December, Self-arranged option is 475 USD ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 31th December;
If registered between 1st January and 15th January, Self-arranged option is 485 USD ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 15th January.
Job Assistance Fee
If registered between 31st August and 30th September, Job assistance fee is 465 USD ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 30th September;
If registered between 1st October and 31st October, Job assistance fee is 475 USD ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 31st October;
If registered between 1st November and 30th November, Job assistance fee is 485 USD ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 30th November;
If registered between 1st December and 31th December, Job assistance fee is 495 USD ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 31th December;
If registered between 1st January and 15th January, Job assistance fee is 505 USD ONLY IF PAID IN FULL by 15th January.
Other conditions and deadlines
The registration fee is non-refundable;
* Insurance coverage 250 USD;
35 USD SEVIS fee is non-refundable;
The final deadline for full payment of the program fee is 15th January;
The fee for US Embassy appointment is NOT included in the program fee and it’s 131 USD;
The deadline for US Embassy appointment fee is 10th February.
Cancellation and refund policy for Global Choices (Jamaica)
The registration fee is non-refundable in case of cancellation at any time.
Cancellations received after being accepted to the programme and before receiving a job placement confirmation will be subjected to a refund of the programme fee less US$ 150.
Cancellations received after job offers have been confirmed and before DS forms have been issued are subject to a refund of the programme fee less US$300.
Cancellations received after DS forms have been issued are subject to no refund.
In case of visa denial, the unused DS2019 form must be returned to GLOBAL CHOICES (Jamaica) with proof of denial, after which refund will be issued less:
US$ 250 if Global Choices (Jamaica) is advised about visa denial BEFORE the scheduled DS start date + US$ 35 Sevis;
US$ 400 if Global Choices (Jamaica) is advised about visa denial WITHIN 2 weeks AFTER the originally scheduled DS start date + US$ 35 Sevis;
There is no refund if Global Choices (Jamaica) is advised bout visa denial MORE THAN 2 weeks after the originally scheduled DS start date.
All non-refundable fees include the registration fee.
The participant/partner agency is not eligible for a refund once he/she has entered the U.S. This includes: changing of jobs, termination of employment and or/early departure from the U.S. back to the home country.
In case of cancellation or visa denial the refunds are made within 30 days.
Global Choices Budget Plan
USD
USD
Total
Registration Fee
30
Programme Fee
500
Job Search (optional)
100
Visa Fee
131
Visa Appointment Fee
5
766
Additional Money Needed
Plane Ticket (depends on the time of purchase)
400
Pocket Money ( Rent, Food, Transportation until first pay check)
500
900
Estimated Income (depends on the individual)
May 15-31(30hrs per week/ 7.50 per hr)(2wks)
450
June (40hrs per week/7.50 per hr)(4wks)
1200
July (social security# received and 2nd job acquired) (at least 20hrs from 2nd job) (60hrs per wk/ 7.50per hr)(4wks)
1800
August (60hrs per wk/7.50 per hr)(4wks)
1800
5250
Estimated Expenditure
Total Global Choices Fees
635
Visa fee
131
Plane fare
400
Rent (320 per month) 3 months
960
Transportation (50 per months@3.5months)
175
Food and Miscellaneous (10per day @ 7days per week)
840
Less Total Expenditure
(3141)
Estimated Net profit
2109
Net profit $us 2109 x 85 = ja $179,265.00 (contribution towards school fee)
Please note that all figures are only estimates and are subject to change and vary based on individual effort and circumstances.
Required Documents
The filled out Global Choices application form;
CV/Resume with current colour photo;
Copy of passport;
School ID;
University letter;
Criminal check (only upon request of Global Choices).
Flights, Pay and Expenses
Flights to USA
All flights for the students will be booked by Global Choices, except for the students who have buddy passes. Buddy passes must be presented to Global Choices and examined before acceptance.
Flight deposits of 250 USD must be paid to Global Choices by 1st February. The balance of the air fare should be paid within one day after confirmed booking.
Participant Program Expenses
The participant is responsible for all travel expenses within the U.S. This includes to the orientation site and to the job placement community.
GLOBAL CHOICES (Jamaica) does not arrange nor provide the participant with housing. GLOBAL CHOICES (Jamaica) does offer housing resource advice through our website. All expenses related to housing and daily living including rent, utilities, furnishings, groceries etc. are the responsibility of the participant.
The participant should be aware that some jobs will have flexible starting dates due to weather conditions. The participant is advised to arrive in the U.S. prepared with sufficient funds (USD$800 minimum) to cover all expenses until he/she begins earning a wage.
The participant is responsible for any and all travel expenses incurred after the work programme and during the optional 30-day travel period.
The participant’s payment while working in the U.S. will be at least the minimum wage as set by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The salary you will get should cover the cost of living and enable you to save some extra money to help reduce travel expenses. With a Global Choices job, you can generally expect a 6-8 hour work day and a 5-6 day work week; you will probably be working 35-40 hours a week. You can expect to receive the Federal minimum wage. This amounts to $7.25 per hour in non-tipped positions.
Our partners in the USA take great care to make sure that all job offers provide a fair wage in relation to the cost of living in the area. Applicants should also keep in mind that most jobs are dependent upon tourist activity. Employees are generally paid every two weeks. Depending on when you start your job, you may not to receive your first pay for the first 3-4 weeks. We recommend having at least USD 600-700 USD upon arrival above the cost of travel to jour job, first month’s rent, and a security deposit for housing, if applicable.
Please, remember that the goal of the Global Choices Work & Travel program is to provide a cultural exchange. The knowledge and experiences that you gain from this program will be the result of your own efforts and enthusiasm. Your summer will be what you make of it - so make it great!
2004-2010 Global Choices Jamaica. Work & Travel in the USA.