03 March 2008

Embassy Bucharest Chats on U.S. Summer Work, Travel Program

Ask America webchat transcript, February 26

Heather Steil, vice consul at the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, answered questions in a February 26 Ask America webchat on the Department of State’s summer work and travel program for Romanian students.

Following is the transcript of the webchat:

(begin transcript)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Ask America Webchat Transcript

U.S. Embassy Bucharest Presents “Summer Work and Travel in the U.S.” Program

Guest:     Heather Steil, U.S. Embassy Bucharest
Date:      February 26, 2008
Time:      10:30 a.m. EST (1530 GMT/Bucharest)

Heather Steil: Welcome everybody! I'm looking forward to taking your questions about the Summer Work & Travel program.

Question [Banana]: Who is qualified to participate in the program?

Answer [Heather Steil]: Hi Banana. Students enrolled full-time at an accredited university may participate in the program. First-year students must have a minimum 8 average. Final-year students must demonstrate they have a strong reason to come back to Romania at the end of the program, for example, by enrolling in a masters program or if they have a job offer.

Q [nthakur]: Are foreign citizens (non EU) enrolled full time at a Romanian university eligible for the program?

A [Heather Steil]: Students who are not Romanian citizens or permanent residents should apply in their home country.

Q [isaiest]: I think it is important to have these kind of programs but it is sad that our workers are poorly paid for the work they do and the help you give is not much.

A [Heather Steil]: Thanks for your question Isaiest. First of all, students who participate in the Summer Work and Travel program are paid at least the legal minimum wage, usually they are paid more. Each student has an American sponsor company that is responsible for making sure things go smoothly. If a student experiences problems of any kind, they should contact the sponsor and the sponsor is obligated to help the student. But the sponsor can’t help the student if they don’t know there’s a problem.

Q [Greg]: Hey, I've question. I was in US last summer (work and travel program) and I worked as a server. This summer I wanna work as well. I have letter from my employer that he invite me and promise me position (server) during summer 2008. I'd like to know if I can apply for J1 visa as a person in the US embassy, or I need to use some organization that help students to get visa (CHI 4 example). My aim is to do it by myself and save money.

A [Heather Steil]: Good question, Greg. It is a very good idea to use a coordinator in Romania to help with the administrative and logistical issues. Thousands of students will apply for the Summer Work & Travel program this year. For a number of reasons, it is better for students if they have a coordinator company in Romania.

Q [alexxandra]: Hi, I’m a second year student at Economics University in Romania. Last year I’ve been in USA with Work & Travel. I want to go again this year, but my grades for this year are only 7,60. I also have 2 letters of recommendation from my employers where I worked last year. Should I bring those letters at the interview?

A [Heather Steil]: Grades are an important part of the visa interview, but there are other considerations, too. For example, if you went last year, it’s important that you demonstrate that you returned to Romania on time. I encourage you to apply for the program again this year, even if your grades dropped a bit. Of course you can bring the letters of recommendation from your employer.

Q [oana]: When it will be possible to enter the "summer work and travel in the U.S." program and what opportunities does it create?

A [Heather Steil]: Although we start interviewing students as early as March, the earliest a student can enter the United States for the Summer Work & Travel program is June 15. There is a wide variety of jobs and locations available, from working at a national park in Wyoming, to working at an amusement park in Maryland. Some students go just to work hard and earn a lot of money. Other students go to work and then spend all their money traveling!

Q [cosmin]: What are my chances to receive a J1 visa for this summer if in the last 2 years I received it twice, but now I -- one exam that I didn't took it. I'm in the 4th year from 5 years of school.

Also what do I have to do when the company that I'm working is not respecting the contract or if they give me the job on paper but when I'll be in the US they will say that they don't need me anymore?

A [Heather Steil]: First, the consular officer will look at your overall academic performance, not just one exam. If you have participated in the program 2 years already, the officer will want to see that you returned to Romania on time. Second, if you have problems with your employer in the U.S. you should contact the American sponsor company (the company that is on the DS-2019 form). They are responsible for helping you resolve any problems you have with your employer.

Q [pete]: I'm a Nigerian student, studying political science at University of Bucharest. I'm interested in participating in this program. But I heard it doesn’t work for foreigners. I would like to know why we can't participate. We have a permit to live here, and we get all other visas here. Thank you.

A [Heather Steil]: Students, just like tourist visa applicants, must demonstrate strong ties to Romania and be able to convince the consular officer that they will not be compelled to stay in the U.S. after the program is over. Foreign students should apply for the Summer Work & Travel program in their home country because the consular officers in the home country are better equipped to evaluate a student’s overall situation.

Q [victor from Romania]: I’m a student and i want to work & study in usa, but i don’t want to pay a tax [fee] to a company to help me get a job, visa, and get there. What are the steps i have to take to enter this program?

A [Heather Steil]: Hi Victor, as I answered before, it’s better for students to use a Romanian coordinator. The Summer Work & Travel program is much more complicated than a regular visa application, and there is a lot of paperwork and a lot of regulations. Students who don’t use a coordinator may have a more difficult time with the process.

Q [bogdan.bradila]: Good Afternoon, my name is Bogdan Bradila and I am a Romanian citizen currently studying at the University of Economics in Vienna, Austria.

My questions would be: How could I apply for the 'work and travel' project by being in Austria? Is this project only for Romanian students studying at Romanian universities?

A [Heather Steil]: Romanians who are studying in other countries may apply here in Bucharest.  You would have to check with the embassy in Vienna to see what their policies are for the Summer Work & Travel program if you want to apply in Austria.

Q [victor from Romania]: i work during the week, and go to university only on saturday and sundays. can i participate to this program ?

A [Heather Steil]: Hello again, Victor. The program is for full-time students only.

Q [silvia2]: Hello! Isn't it too late to apply for a job this summer? Because my friend and I were told that it's kind of late to start the applications.

A [Heather Steil]: It's not too late! We interview students for the visa all the way until the end of June. But the sooner you get started, the better selection of jobs you will have in the United States.

Q [andreea2]: I am a PhD student, in the 2nd year, am I qualified for this program?

A [Heather Steil]: Absolutely! Just like every other student, you would need to demonstrate a good academic record and strong ties to Romania.

Moderator: Dear participants, thank you for joining our webchat! We see your questions coming in. Your questions appear on this screen only after they have been answered by our guest speaker. We will post selected comments as well.

Q [alexxandra]: Ok, thank you very much. I will apply again and I hope I will get the visa. Thank you again.

A [Heather Steil]: Another requirement for the program is the ability to speak and understand English. While it's not necessary to be fluent or speak perfectly, students need to be able to communicate effectively.

Q [silvia2]: Is it safe to get jobs through the internet? is this important for getting the visa? if we take the job like this or we participate in fairs like those from Cluj and Bucharest? Taking into account that most of the jobs from the fairs are already taken?

A [Heather Steil]: There is no regulation that prevents you from finding your own job in the U.S. But you should be extra careful to make sure the job and the employer are legitimate. The employer will also have to submit all the paperwork properly.

Q [bogdan.bradila]: Do you at least have to be in your second year of study or can you apply as a freshman too?

A [Heather Steil]: First-year students may apply if they have a minimum 8 average.

Moderator: Dear participants, thank you for your questions. Our speaker is reviewing your questions now, please be patient as she prepares the answers for you. Thank you.

Q [Chat Participant]: I have been in the USA twice with the Work and Travel program, this year I am taking my masters degree, since last year i went very late due to my final exams. i went almost at the end of July. i decided to take advantage of the 30 days grace period to do some traveling, but my return home was also delayed by the Air France staff strike which delayed my travel arrangements. so therefore i stayed longer then October 1, but my grades and my performance is school was not affected whatsoever by my traveling in the usa. neither my state exam which i took before i went and got the second highest grade, neither my grades this semester in the masters degree. my question is what are my changes in obtaining a visa?

A [Heather Steil]: That depends on whether you can convince the consular officer that your late return did not interfere with your studies. There is no "grace period" for the Summer Work & Travel program. We require all students to return to Romania by the first Monday in October so that the program does not conflict with classes.

Q [andreea2]: Do we have to apply for that program within the university or somewhere else?

A [Heather Steil]: The program is not organized through the universities. There are a number of local coordinator companies that help students apply for the program by matching them with jobs, helping them fill out all the paperwork, and ensuring that all the regulations are met. The first step would be to find one of these coordinator companies and contact them.

Q [silvia2]: my question resembles another one i think, but still... if i apply for the first time for work and travel, is it ok if i have one exam that i did not take?

A [Heather Steil]: It depends on your overall academic performance. If you have an outstanding record, the consular officer may not feel it's necessary to see the missing exam. On the other hand, if your overall academic record is mediocre, the officer may ask you to come back after you take the rest of the exams.

Q [vokky]: I understand there are age limit for the program but am not sure. so pls can you tell the age limit?

A [Heather Steil]: There is no age limit. As long as you are a full-time student enrolled at an accredited university, you can apply for the program.

Q [Kiara1990]: Hello! I was wondering if it's possible to come work or study in U.S. from this summer even though I'm just 18?

A [Heather Steil]: In order to participate in the program, you must be a full-time university student.

Q [Iulius2]: Where can we find a list of the local coordinator companies?

A [Heather Steil]: Coordinator companies advertise on college campuses and all over. Keep your eyes open for radio and television commercials and posters. The embassy cannot recommend specific companies.

Q [Sandee2]: What kind of problems can appear while anyone tries to reclaim the fees that were paid?

A [Heather Steil]: My understanding is that most coordinator companies have a policy that they will partially refund their fees of a student does not get the visa. This is a good question to ask the coordinator company before you sign up!

Another good source of information about the Summer Work & Travel program can be found here: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges/private/swt_faq.htm.

Q [vokky]: Apart from Work and Travel, are there any other programs for students who are 30 years old to participate in?

A [Heather Steil]: Here is a link to general information about the J1 exchange visitor program. You may find something interesting there.

Q [horiacatalin]: Hello! If I have grades of 5 to English is a problem? I studied French in high school. With regard to my English level I have been learning for more than 2 years. Now my level of English is beginner to intermediate.

A [Heather Steil: During the visa interview, the consular officer will ask you questions to make sure you can understand the question and communicate your answer effectively. We're not looking for perfect grammar or a large vocabulary. We just want to make sure your English is good enough to get by while you are in the United States.

Q [Chat Participant]: Earlier you said there is no 30 day grace period, but in the link you just sent, it says there is one. One of the reasons I stayed past October 1 is because on the State Department website, it said there is a 30 day grace period.

A [Heather Steil]: The 30 day grace period for the J1 visa is to allow participants to travel for 30 days beyond the end date on the DS-2019. The Summer Work & Travel program is unique because we require all students to be back in Romania by the first Monday in October. We could require that the DS-2019 form have an end date of September 1, which would force all participants to be back in Romania by October 1.

However, students are not allowed to “work” beyond the end date on the DS-2019 form. As a courtesy to students who want to work until the last day of the program, we allow them to have an end date of October 1. I hope this clarifies the "grace period" confusion.

Q [Chat Participant]: Are the rules for the work and travel program the same for students all over the world?

A [Heather Steil]: The general regulations for the Summer Work & Travel program are the same, but each embassy may have its own policies specific to the local environment.

Q [Sandee2]: I was speaking about the taxes that are taken while actually working in the U.S.

A [Heather Steil]: Sandee2, you are eligible to receive the social security taxes you pay out of your income. I'm afraid I don't know the specific process for doing that. That would be a good question to ask your coordinator company.

Q [vokky]: Pls what is the grade required to apply?

A [Heather Steil]: With the exception of first-year students (who must have a minimum 8 average), there is no strict rule about grades. Generally speaking, the consular officer will want to see an academic record that demonstrates that the student takes his or her education very seriously.

It depends on your overall academic performance. If you have an outstanding record, the consular officer may not feel it's necessary to see the missing exam.  On the other hand, if your overall academic record is mediocre, the officer may ask you to come back after you take the rest of the exams.

Q: What do you mean by a mediocre student? I have an 8 average.

A [Heather Steil]: There are many factors that the consular officer takes into consideration: your grades, the subject matter you are studying, the university you attend, etc. So all of these things will be considered.

Q [Sandee2]: Is there a deadline about entering this program?

A [Heather Steil]: We finish doing Summer Work & Travel interviews by the end of June.

Thank you for taking the time to chat with me about the Summer Work & Travel program. I hope it was informative. I hope to see you at the embassy!

Moderator: A full transcript of today's webchat will be available on our Ask America Homepage usually within one business day.

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)