Our Work Experience USA program will allow you the opportunity to work, travel, and live the real American life!
Available to full-time students ONLY, this is the perfect opportunity to spend your University/College break (for up to 4 months) earning money and traveling around the USA. You will also gain valuable international work experience and meet new friends from all over the world.
With a few exceptions, the job you want is only limited to your imagination. Imagine yourself working in a ski resort in Colorado, at a baseball stadium in Boston, a bar in California, a resort in Florida, or a national park in Wyoming . . . . the opportunities are endless!
To be accepted in the Work Experience USA program, you do not need to be highly skilled. It is important, however that you have a good work ethic, strong references, and the understanding that this is a work program.
To participate in the CCUSA program and work in the USA, you will need to obtain a BridgeUSA J-1 visa. CCUSA will sponsor your visa and assist you through the entire process. Below is some basic information about the BridgeUSA J-1 visa and visa application process. If you require more information, please contact your local CCUSA office.
You will have to apply for the BridgeUSA J-1 Summer Work and Travel Visa. This BridgeUSA J-1 visa allows you to work in most jobs, except: domestic employees in a US household, nanny, camp counselor, pedicab driver, adult entertainment industry jobs, crew member on ships or airplanes, as an airplane pilot, or a position that requires you to invest your own money to provide yourself with inventory for the purpose of door-to-door sales. You are also not eligible to work in jobs that require licensing under US law, such as doctors, nurses, lawyers, etc.
To obtain the BridgeUSA J-1 visa, you must have a face-to-face interview with your local US Consulate or Embassy. CCUSA will advise and assist you with booking the interview and obtaining the required documents. You will be required to pay a Visa Application Fee at the time of your visa interview.
As a BridgeUSA J-1 visa participant, you are expected to return home and share your experience of the American culture with friends and family members. You are expected to share your culture with Americans, helping them increase their knowledge regarding places and people different from themselves. Please be aware of this responsibility at all times.
Through our ‘Placement’ and ‘Independent’ options, you get to tailor your experience by location, job, and salary.
Our fair program offers the opportunity to interview virtually or in person with an employer of your choice.
*Final pricing based on program options selected. Discounts available for returnees. For more information contact your local office.
Please note there are additional costs to consider as part of the program:
Yes, in fact, we recommend to all participants that they find their job before going to the USA. If you are confident about finding your own job, then the Independent Option is the right choice for you. If you are too busy to spend the time it will take or not confident about approaching a U.S. employer, then you can choose our Placement or Job Fair Option.
If you choose the Placement Option, CCUSA will organize a job placement for you before you go.
In some countries, you will have a third option – Job Fairs. With this option, you will have the opportunity to interview face-to-face with U.S. employers who travel to your home country to hire staff on the spot or virtually via a Zoom Fair. A very popular option, and interview appointments fill up quickly, so be sure to sign up in advance.
Yes. Depending on the dates on your DS2019 form, 90 days of CCUSA insurance will be added to your program fees. This policy is specifically designed for our international programs. There is no free health service in the U.S. and medical care is very expensive, so we want to ensure that you are adequately covered (this is a visa regulation requirement). If you have a pre-existing condition (have received medical care within the last 12 months), please call the CCUSA office for advice, as you may need additional coverage. When you receive the insurance policy leaflet, read the policy carefully so you know what is covered and what is not.
This depends on you. How much money you bring back will depend on how much you work and how you decide to spend your money while in the USA
Some employers provide employee housing options. However, you may need to arrange your own housing if employee housing is not provided by your employer. Your employer may be able to provide you with housing options or leads.
After your acceptance and as soon as your application is completed, the CCUSA Placement Team will work on finding you a job. You can keep track of your placement through your “Footprints” account. Placement can occur anytime up until the program deadline.
Once placed, CCUSA will prepare your DS2019 form. We send you detailed instructions on how to apply for your visa. The U.S. visa process requires that you attend an in-person interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in your home country, in most cases. The BridgeUSA J-1 visa allows you to travel 30 days before your job start and 30 days after it ends.
Once you are placed, you can book your travel. You will be provided with all the information you need to arrange your travel to your final destination. You are required to join a virtual a Pre-Departure Orientation, which your local CCUSA office will set up for you. The orientation will help prepare you for your upcoming adventure in the USA.
Once you arrive at your host employer, they will provide you with training and fun cultural activity opportunities to help you get to know other staff members and the area you will be living in. It’s important for you to work hard and be an ambassador for your country. Be positive, get involved, make friends! If you need anything while in the USA, CCUSA is just a phone call away for questions and 24/7 for emergencies.
Once your job contract is finished, you have 30 days to travel and do sightseeing around the USA. Travel with your new friends, visit fellow American staff members at their universities or hometowns, or take a tour – the choice is yours.
