The Work & Travel Program
This exciting program allows international college students to work legally in the United States during their main vacations from school. The program is designed to give American employers the opportunity to diversify their workforce and meet their needs for seasonal workers, while offering international students an inside perspective on American working life. EMF is designated by the Department of State to sponsor international students who wish to participate in this program.
Why should employers work with EMF?
EMF’s goal is to provide the best quality services to our employers. Our Work & Travel Program provides many benefits, such as:
1. EMF participants are carefully selected. Before students are accepted in the Work & Travel Program, they are interviewed by our partner organizations in their home country. In addition, they are screened for their English level and ability to function well in a work environment. They are 18 to 29 years old and currently enrolled in post-secondary studies in their home countries. Students are sponsored by EMF and pay their own placement fees and airfare. They can work legally for up to four months and are allowed to travel for a month at the end of the program. EMF takes care of all the paperwork required for the students to obtain a J-1 visa and help students in obtaining Social Security cards.
2. EMF participants are available for longer periods than American college students. Students from the southern hemisphere can work from December to April and students from the northern hemisphere are available from June to October. By staggering the arrival of your international staff you can cover your whole season.
3. EMF participants come prepared. When students arrive in the U.S., they attend a mandatory orientation. We tell them about the American culture, expectations of American employers regarding their employees, how to apply for Social Security cards, and we answer any questions they may have before starting their new job. In addition, EMF provides medical insurance for all its participants.
4. EMF participants are well motivated, flexible and eager to learn. They are willing to accept entry level positions and to work thousands of miles from their home country, to gain an inside perspective on American working life and to meet and interact with people of different nationalities. All EMF participants can speak two languages, many can speak three or four. Guests and American co-workers alike will enjoy their contact with these intelligent and enthusiastic young people. EMF work & travel participants should receive the same wages as American workers but they do not have to contribute to social security, Medicare and FUTA.
5. EMF provides quality customer services to employers. As a participating business in the Work & Travel Program, you will work with our main office from the day you send us your application until the end of the program. Any time you have questions concerning your international students, EMF will be happy to help you. There is no charge to employers for participating in the EMF Work & Travel Program and employers always have the final decision regarding who they will hire.
6. EMF is committed to meet employer’s needs. Based upon the description of your needs in your completed application, EMF will make every effort to find and match the most qualified candidates for the positions you need to fill.
7. How to participate. If your company is interested in this exciting opportunity and would like to receive more information and an application, please contact Marie-Claude Dijoud at mcdijoud@emfusa.org, or call us at 1-800-467-8363.