work_and_travel

Work and Travel - USA is an educational programme for students who would like to combine
work with travel while on holiday within the summer. This programme is sponsored by
organisations empowered by the government of the USA with the rights to issue viza
documents (DS 2019), which is the basis for obtaining a J1 viza. Students' recruitment is
conducted by the representatives of the organisations in any given country of the students
origin.

The J-1 viza which will be obtained by the student-participant of the Work and Travel program
enables the participant to stay for a working period of four months in the USA and for a period
of four weeks travelling and sightseeing all over the country at the end of the program. There
is therefore a double advantage. Apart from returning financiallly bouyant, the participant is
able to increase in knowledge and become familiar with the culture of the United States of
America, understand better, their use of the spoken English language, establish contacts with
people of the world and become a part of the American phenomenon. This program teaches
the participant how to be open to other people and embrace other cultures, team work skills,
tolerance as well as how to be independent.

Those who decided to embark on work and travel abroad very often try to repeat that
experience. And they do not come back disappointed. This program offers participants an
unusual experience which eventually has advantageous effects on their professional career
development.

The J-1 Student's Viza

The J-1 student's viza does not belong to
the immigrant viza category. The travel viza
is issued by the embassy of the USA in the
country of the participant. To apply for this
student viza, every candidate taking part in
the W&T program must complete a special
form DS-2019 at the consulate, this is a
form specifying that the applicant will be
offered a job on the program by the
American sponsors as well as procure other
required documents.

The J-1 viza enables the participants to
work and travel legally in the USA for
4months. The exact period of time that an
applicant can work is stated in the DS-2019
form.

The most important document required for the
issuance of the J-1 student's viza is the
DS-2019 form issued by the organisation in
the USA who are government approved to
sponsor the program, supported by the
organisation where the applicant would like to
work while in the USA. Almost everything
connected with the applicant's travel rests
solely on the DS-2019, which signifies a kind of
recruitment and offers the applicant the
permission to seek this kind of viza (J-1,
enabling the applicant to participate in the
embassy of the USA in his/her country.
Therefore, every applicant who are qualified
for the program will receive the form, the cost
of which is included in the overall cost of the
program, however, the decision to give a
participant the viza to the USA rests with the
embassy. And the viza fee should be paid into
the bank account of the embassy concerned

The normal period
for completing the
DS-2019
application form is
in May (or
eventually at the
beginning of June
for late entries)
and every
participant of the
program is
immediately
informed once the
pledge to offer
them a job on the
program in the USA
has been obtained
in our office.

It is very important for every
student who have obtained the
DS-2019 to duly and promptly
complete and return the form
with all necessary documents
(the proof of payment for the
viza application, completed viza
application forms with
photographs, international
pasport) to be submitted to
MERYGOLD'S local office (or
our representative's office in a
given country). It is advisable
not to be late with this procedure
where the acceptance of the
application and the issuance of
the viza might take two weeks or
more. MERYGOLD HAS MORE
DETAILED INFORMATION FOR
PARTICIPANTS IN THEIR
LOCAL OFFICES (OR WITH
THEIR REPRESENTATIVES).

email:

info@merygold.biz

ATTENTION!!!
PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU APPLY!!!
THIS IS NOT FOR THOSE TRYING TO FIND A
QUICKER WAY OUT OF THE COUNTRY. IT IS
A WELL RESPECTED PROGRAM FOR
UNDERGRADUATES WITH THEIR EYE ON
THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR
DEAR COUNTRIES. BRINGING BACK A
WORLD OF EXPERIENCE INTO YOUR
COUNTRY AND HELP MAKING OTHERS
BETTER PEOPLE REALLY MATTERS!
PLEASE RESPECT YOUR COUNTRY!

About the programme

The idea of Work & Travel USA is to offer
students all over the world job opportunities with
a view to cultural exchange in the United States
during their summer vacation.
This educational programme enables them to
know the USA better as well as become familiar
with work ethics which obtains in the American
industries and the practice of the English
language in general.

The programme is realised in conjunction with
the largest organisations in the world-one of
which is our partner ( with several years of
experience specialising in international students
exchange programme

The significance of the
program
The program is a unique
opportunity for those students
who would like to work in the
USA and establish
international contacts useful
in their future endeavours, It
also enables the participant to
travel all over the USA and
see the most important places
in the country, polish their
English in a natural
environment and learn more
about the culture of their host
country. It is also ideal for
those seeking interesting
ways to spend and
unforgettable vacation, who
love challenges and are open
to new experiences.

EARNINGS
Working in the USA within the framework of
the W&T program is legal. Participants
therefore can make the minimal average basic
earnings which depends on the laws of a
given state as well as the labour code. It
ranges between $2.50 - $6.75 per hour. This
also has to do with the designations at work
where tips are connected. This means you
have to add your tips (the tips you receive
from customers) to what you make, which
could make your earnings several times
higher than the standard basic earnings. In
reality, the average earning of a student
(depending on the position of work) can be
put with the range of between $6.50 - $10 per
hour.

The hours of working are between 30 and 40
hours per week depending on a given
establishment's need especially during the
summer (e.g. an establishment which cares
for tourists). In such situations, an employer
might propose overtime which might attract up
to 150% pay per hour.

Paychecks are often drawn every two weeks
and could be cashed at any bank in the USA.

Accommodation

1. Accommodation provided by the employer.
This is a very comfortable option as the
applicant lives practically within the distance
from the place of work, and the cost might
even include feeding on a daily basis.

2. A group of students coming together to
rent an apartment (flat sharing).
This option is the cheapest and the most
comfortable. With not so much money as a
student could earn, they could live in
comfortable and well equipped with 2-3
bedroom apartments.

3.Rent a room in a hotel or a motel.

Feeding
Most employers provide
feeding free of charge during
the working period with the
exception of work free days.
Depending on the employers,
they are: two meals e.g. a
stipulated amount of money
to be spent on food
(vouchers) in the workers'
canteen (a serve yourself in
some cases), but when it
extends beyond the limit,
such a worker pays the rest.
Using the staff canteen is
more advantageous because
the foods served are
relatively subsidised so they
are cheaper than what you
could get in a normal
restaurant or eatery.
Prices of food purchased
from the shops depends on
individual preference of the
participants. Shops offer
various assortments with a
view to offering quality or a
bargain. But shopping done
in a big supermarket will
definitely help save some
money and it could be more
comfortable.

Insurance

Every participant is insured for accidents and
health for the period of 4months (their period of
legal employment in the USA). The type of
policy taken depends on the organisation.
Insurance policies do not cover driving vehicles
or when you are a passenger on a privately
hired vehicles.
- it is ideal to secure an additional insurance
policy in this regard.
Detailed information concerning insurance
matters are left for further discussions at the
orientation meeting. They will also be included
in the information materials for program
participants.
In matters of emergency during the travels,
participants have access to the free toll number
of the sponsoring organisation in the USA

Application Procedure

Students report to the organisation's representative in their country and sign an agreement to
participate in the program. This agreement is forwarded to MERYGOLD's headquarters in
Poland or the UK for scrutiny and approval. It must carry merygold's seal and licensing sticker.
Our organisation or their representatives then conduct a test required for accepting intending
participants into the program as well as receive and check the authenticity of all the documents
required.
The application form, testimonial from the student's higher institution of learning confirming
that he/she is an undergraduate of such institution, a handwritten letter of application in
English language (must be in the applicant's own handwriting), as well as 4 passport
photographs.
The applicant's information is forwarded to the sponsor organisation in the USA for possible
placement according to the information received in their documents.
An employer who has accepted an applicant sends a written offer of employment known as the
Job Offer Form. Having received this, the applicant proceeds to Merygold's office to receive
their DS-2019 forms to be signed by them. With the viza application form duly completed and
signed, MERYGOLD TAKES THE DOCUMENTS TO THE EMBASSY OF THE USA FOR
SUBMISSION. The embassy informs MERYGOLD'S coordinating officer about a date for an
interview with the applicant. Merygold in turn informs the applicant of the date and time as well
as what should be taken along to the embassy. MERYGOLD collects the passport with the J-1
viza as well as the embassy authorized DS 2019.
All candidates with viza approval for the program are mandated to take part in an "Orientation
Meeting" in order to be well prepared and well informed for their journey (their flight) to the
USA. Merygold will ensure that every participant receives all the necessary information and
instructions before boarding the plane for their flight to the USA.

This meeting also offers the opportunity to get more valuable information and knowledge from
previous participants of the programs. Some might even be able to interact with past
participants who worked in the same place they are going to.
This orientation meeting is always organised in conjunction with our American partners, the
sponsoring organisation in the USA. Before departure, qualified participants receive their
official information and materials.

candidates are obliged to produce
the following documents:

Testimonial from the students faculty
confirming his/her undergraduate status,

CV and a letter of application in English
language (while one should be
handwritten, the other could be
typewritten and copied on a CD-ROM or
sent as an attached file to Merygold's
email address),

One passport photograph (4 for
applicants from Africa),

A photocopy of international passport
(showing the first and the last page).

Duly completed application forms for the
program as well as a duly signed
"Terms & Conditions" for the program.

SUMMARY OF THE WORK & TRAVEL USA PROGRAM PROCEDURE

1.   Complete the information card.

2.   Sign the agreement with MERYGOLD. The condition for signing the agreement is by the
presentation of proof of payment of the first instalment by the student according to the
payment plan.

3.   The conduct of an interview as a pre requisite for qualification within 10 days of signing the
agreement (the student's inability to qualify means cancelling the agreement and returning the
payment in full).

4.   Receiving the complete documents 10 days before the signing of the agreement.

5.   Signing the papers through MERYGOLD as perpared by the prospective employer in the
USA.

6.   Collecting the viza documents from MERYGOLD or MERYGOLD representives in your
country.

7.   Signing of the viza document DS 2019 at MERYGOLD (this comes from the American
sponsors of the programme) as well as submission of the viza application form along with your
international passport, payment (or proof of payment) of the viza fee and the submission of the
viza photograph.

8.   Obligatory participation of successful candidates in the "Orientation Meeting" organised
your country by MERYGOLD or MERYGOLD representatives in partnership with the
sponsoring organisation in the USA (the organisers of the program).

9.   Collection of the flight ticket as well as your international passport with the J1 viza.

10.   DEPARTURE TO THE USA!

the age 18-30
Must have the status of a
student on full time, day
study, evening study or part
time study

Must have finished the first
year of study on the day of
departure for the program but
not have finished the last year
of study (as stipulated by the
regulations of the course of
study) by the time of travelling

Must have a good command
of English language and
possess the ability to
communicate in this language

Must be independent and
mature as well as be able to
cope with the differences in
the cultures between his/her
country of origin and the USA.

Must submit all the required
documents and make all
necessary payments at the
right time as well as possess a
valid international passport