Pentru a veni in intampinarea nevoilor voastre, am obtinut un interviu cu Soribel Feliz, vice-consul al Ambasadei SUA la Bucuresti. Veti gasi aici raspunsurile la cele mai importante intrebari legate de programul Work and Travel USA si veti afla care este perspectiva ambasadei fata de acest program.
1. How does the US Embassy see the Summer Work and Travel program? Do you recommend it? Why?
„Summer Work and Travel is a program that allows university students to live and work in the United States during major academic breaks from university, including after the final year of study, so that they can experience the people and way of life in the United States. It is primarily a cultural exchange with the opportunity for paid work and for polishing basic English language skills for up to four months in the United States. The Department sees SWT as a way to engage the public and to cultivate long-term relationships with Romania.”
2. What can you tell us about the J1 visa?
„For SWT only, J1 allows students to work for up to three months plus a 30-day grace period to travel. Students get a Social Security number that allows them to work legally and file for taxes. J1 visa holders enjoy the same protection under U.S. labor laws as any other American worker, and visa applicants are informed of their rights by the interviewing Consular officer and given a pamphlet explaining these rights during the visa interview.”
3. What are the standards for issuing a J1 visa?
„J1 visa applicants need to:
• Present a valid Form DS-2019;
• possess sufficient funds, or adequate arrangements, to cover all expenses associated with the program;
• intent to depart the United States at the conclusion of the program;
• intend to comply with the law and regulations governing the program;
• maintain student status and be in active pursuit of a degree in the local educational system, unless the student is in the final year of study.
Note that students pursuing degrees online are not eligible for the SWT program.”
4. Are there any special standards for 1st-year students? What about the final-year ones?
„Students in their first year must have completed, at a minimum, one semester of university studies prior to the program start date. Students in their final year should be ready to answer questions regarding their employment or continuing education plans upon their return from the U.S.”
5. Can foreign students enrolled at a Romanian university enroll in the program? If yes, what are the terms?
„Foreign students residing in Romania are eligible to participate in the SWT program and their visa applications must be adjudicated using the same standards that apply to Romanian applicants.”
6. If one of the students enrolled in SWT has previously submitted an application for Diversity Visa, can this be a problem in obtaining the visa?
„No, each visa interview is a separate event.”
7. Does the fact that an applicant has immediate family in the USA affect in any way their visa application?
„No, each applicant is considered individually.”
8. How safe does the US Embassy think this program is?
„The Department of State works arduously to ensure that job placements meet all program regulations and requirements, whether related to the type of work performed, the health and safety of the participants, or the potential of a specific placement to reflect poorly upon the U.S. government.
The Department conducts year-round monitoring focused on SWT employers participants and their sites of activity to ensure compliance with program activities, such as housing and cultural activities, as well as other elements of the program.”
9. Does the US visa allow students to visit Canada or Mexico as well?
„No, the U.S. visa only allows entry to U.S. soil.”
10. What details can you give us on the visa interview?
„Visa interviews are very quick. They usually last between 1 and 3 minutes. The Consular Officer will ask questions about the student’s job placement, academic major, year of study and motivations to participate in the SWT program. Sometimes, to better assess English language skills, the Consular officer will ask an unrelated question, such as „What is your favorite sport?” or „Have you ever been outside Romania”. Students are not expected to be experts in subjects that are uniquely American; however, students should be able to answer any straightforward question posed by the officer.”
11. What advice can you give to students applying for this program for the first time?
„During the interview, do not be nervous. Be calm. Answer questions confidently and truthfully. While in the U.S., try to get as much exposure to American and other cultures as you possibly can. Make it a point to always speak English all the time, immerse yourself in the culture; don’t just hang out with other Romanian students, hang out with everyone! Also, make sure you don’t spend all your time working- travel, explore, and have fun! Remember, if you are not yet 21, do not drink. The drinking age in the U.S. is 21. Finally, make sure you use your 30 day grace period to travel and come back to your home country on time. Failing to follow visa regulations may impact you negatively during future visa interviews.”
Daca aveti si alte intrebari, lasati un comment mai jos si va vom raspunde cu drag!
Pentru a veni in intampinarea nevoilor voastre, am obtinut un interviu cu Soribel Feliz, vice-consul al Ambasadei SUA la Bucuresti. Veti gasi aici raspunsurile la cele mai importante intrebari legate de programul Work and Travel USA si veti afla care este perspectiva ambasadei fata de acest program.
1. How does the US Embassy see the Summer Work and Travel program? Do you recommend it? Why?
„Summer Work and Travel is a program that allows university students to live and work in the United States during major academic breaks from university, including after the final year of study, so that they can experience the people and way of life in the United States. It is primarily a cultural exchange with the opportunity for paid work and for polishing basic English language skills for up to four months in the United States. The Department sees SWT as a way to engage the public and to cultivate long-term relationships with Romania.”
2. What can you tell us about the J1 visa?
„For SWT only, J1 allows students to work for up to three months plus a 30-day grace period to travel. Students get a Social Security number that allows them to work legally and file for taxes. J1 visa holders enjoy the same protection under U.S. labor laws as any other American worker, and visa applicants are informed of their rights by the interviewing Consular officer and given a pamphlet explaining these rights during the visa interview.”
3. What are the standards for issuing a J1 visa?
„J1 visa applicants need to:
• Present a valid Form DS-2019;
• possess sufficient funds, or adequate arrangements, to cover all expenses associated with the program;
• intent to depart the United States at the conclusion of the program;
• intend to comply with the law and regulations governing the program;
• maintain student status and be in active pursuit of a degree in the local educational system, unless the student is in the final year of study.
Note that students pursuing degrees online are not eligible for the SWT program.”
4. Are there any special standards for 1st-year students? What about the final-year ones?
„Students in their first year must have completed, at a minimum, one semester of university studies prior to the program start date. Students in their final year should be ready to answer questions regarding their employment or continuing education plans upon their return from the U.S.”
5. Can foreign students enrolled at a Romanian university enroll in the program? If yes, what are the terms?
„Foreign students residing in Romania are eligible to participate in the SWT program and their visa applications must be adjudicated using the same standards that apply to Romanian applicants.”
6. If one of the students enrolled in SWT has previously submitted an application for Diversity Visa, can this be a problem in obtaining the visa?
„No, each visa interview is a separate event.”
7. Does the fact that an applicant has immediate family in the USA affect in any way their visa application?
„No, each applicant is considered individually.”
8. How safe does the US Embassy think this program is?
„The Department of State works arduously to ensure that job placements meet all program regulations and requirements, whether related to the type of work performed, the health and safety of the participants, or the potential of a specific placement to reflect poorly upon the U.S. government.
The Department conducts year-round monitoring focused on SWT employers participants and their sites of activity to ensure compliance with program activities, such as housing and cultural activities, as well as other elements of the program.”
9. Does the US visa allow students to visit Canada or Mexico as well?
„No, the U.S. visa only allows entry to U.S. soil.”
10. What details can you give us on the visa interview?
„Visa interviews are very quick. They usually last between 1 and 3 minutes. The Consular Officer will ask questions about the student’s job placement, academic major, year of study and motivations to participate in the SWT program. Sometimes, to better assess English language skills, the Consular officer will ask an unrelated question, such as „What is your favorite sport?” or „Have you ever been outside Romania”. Students are not expected to be experts in subjects that are uniquely American; however, students should be able to answer any straightforward question posed by the officer.”
11. What advice can you give to students applying for this program for the first time?
„During the interview, do not be nervous. Be calm. Answer questions confidently and truthfully. While in the U.S., try to get as much exposure to American and other cultures as you possibly can. Make it a point to always speak English all the time, immerse yourself in the culture; don’t just hang out with other Romanian students, hang out with everyone! Also, make sure you don’t spend all your time working- travel, explore, and have fun! Remember, if you are not yet 21, do not drink. The drinking age in the U.S. is 21. Finally, make sure you use your 30 day grace period to travel and come back to your home country on time. Failing to follow visa regulations may impact you negatively during future visa interviews.”
Daca aveti si alte intrebari, lasati un comment mai jos si va vom raspunde cu drag!