Summer Work and Travel
For university students: a seasonal summer job in America, then up to 30 days to travel. Earn in dollars and level up your English on the job.
BridgeUSA · J-1 programs · 2027
Your bridge to America: J-1 exchange programs
Work and Travel, paid internships, summer camps, high school exchange and academic research. Five J-1 exchange programs, and one team by your side from the first call to takeoff.
- 5 programsfrom high schoolers to academics
- Up to 4 monthsof work on Work and Travel
- Up to 18 monthsof training as a Trainee
- 30 daysto travel after your program
Five J-1 programs. One address.
University student, recent graduate, high schooler or academic: whatever chapter of life you're in, there's a J-1 exchange program that opens America's door for you.
Intern / Trainee
Train at an American company in your field: up to 12 months as an Intern, up to 18 as a Trainee. Open to students, recent grads and professionals.
Camp and Travel
Become a camp counselor at an American summer camp. No student status needed, just be 18 or older. Room and board usually come with the job.
J-1 High School Exchange
For teens aged 15–18½: a semester or a full academic year at an American high school, living with a volunteer host family.
Research Scholar
For academics and researchers: a research stay at a U.S. university or research institution, from 3 weeks up to 5 years.
Eligibility quiz
Which program fits you? Find out in 2 minutes
Answer four quick questions about your age, education, English level and target dates, and instantly see the J-1 programs that stand out for you.
Your result
Programs that look like a great fit
Based on your answers, these are the options that stand out. We confirm your eligibility together in a free consultation.
What are BridgeUSA and the J-1 exchange programs?
BridgeUSA is the name the U.S. Department of State gives its J-1 Exchange Visitor programs. Their purpose is to build mutual understanding between Americans and people from all over the world. According to the official BridgeUSA website, the program brings around 300,000 people from some 200 countries and territories to the United States every year.
On a J-1 exchange program, you work, train, study or do research in America. You experience the culture from the inside, use your English every single day and add a strong international chapter to your CV. Every program runs through a sponsor organization designated by the U.S. Department of State. Your sponsor issues your DS-2019 (the certificate of eligibility for the program), and you use it to apply for your J-1 visa.
Bridge USA Türkiye is an independent J-1 consultancy that stands by you on the Türkiye side of that journey. To see your options side by side, visit our exchange programs in the USA page. For the visa steps, read our J-1 visa guide.
From first call to takeoff in 4 steps
The same clear path for every program. You focus on your goal; we plan the rest together.
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Free initial assessment
We talk about your goals and your education, check your eligibility and choose the program that suits you best, together. At our office or online.
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Application and documents
We open your sponsor application and get your file complete and ready. Depending on your program, job, camp, internship or school matching starts here.
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DS-2019 and visa interview
Your sponsor issues your DS-2019. We guide you through the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and booking your appointment, and we run a one-on-one mock interview before the big day.
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Orientation and departure
A pre-departure orientation means you set off fully prepared. And while you're in America, we're only a message away.
Free consultation
Fill in the form and let's plan your 2027
One of our advisors will call you within 1 business day to talk through your eligibility and an application timeline built around you.
- We help you pick the right program
- We check your eligibility and plan your timeline
- We share every cost item in writing
Prefer to talk right now?
Why Bridge USA Türkiye?
We focus on J-1 programs and nothing else. That's why we give every application the time it deserves and move forward with you at every step.
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One-on-one guidance
You work with an advisor who knows you, from the first meeting until you're back home. Get answers by phone, on WhatsApp or face to face.
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Complete, polished documents
From your CV and reference letters to your intro video and student certificate, we build your file together and check everything before it goes out.
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Visa interview coaching
We go through your documents and likely questions with you. One-on-one practice sessions help you speak clearly and confidently at the interview.
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Transparent pricing
We break the program fee down item by item. From day one, you know what you pay, to whom and when.
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Pre-departure orientation
Your flight, arrival, first week and everyday life in America: you leave prepared, with total peace of mind.
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Support throughout your program
You can reach us while you're in America, too. If you need help, we're right there with you in communicating with your sponsor.
The 2027 season: when should you start?
The rule is simple: the earlier you start, the more options you have. Exact dates depend on your sponsor and your visa appointment.
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September–November 2026
Work and Travel 2027
Enrollment, a short English interview and document prep. Employer interviews kick off in late fall.
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September 2026–March 2027
Camp and Travel 2027
Applications and camp placements. Camp season opens in June.
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October 2026–March 2027
High school exchange 2027–2028
Application, selection and host family placement. Students usually fly out in August.
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Year-round
Intern / Trainee and Research Scholar
Your start date is set around you and your host organization. Get moving a few months before your target date.
Compare the programs side by side
The key differences between all five programs at a glance. Full details are on our programs page.
| Work and Travel | Intern / Trainee | Camp and Travel | J-1 High School Exchange | Research Scholar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who is it for? | University students | Students, recent graduates, professionals | Students, graduates and teachers aged 18+ | High school students aged 15–18½ | Academics and researchers |
| Duration | Up to 4 months | Intern up to 12, Trainee up to 18 months | Up to 4 months | 1 semester or 1 academic year | 3 weeks – 5 years |
| Earnings | Hourly wage | Mostly paid | Seasonal pay, plus room and board | No work | Host salary, grant or your own funding |
| When | Summer break | Year-round | Summer | U.S. school year | Year-round |
From Yalıkavak to all of Türkiye
Our office is in Yalıkavak, Bodrum. Looking for Work and Travel, internship or high school exchange advice in Bodrum or anywhere in Muğla? Come and meet us in person over a coffee. Living elsewhere in Türkiye? Get the same one-on-one guidance by video call, phone or WhatsApp.
You share your documents online and follow every step with your advisor. To get to know us better, visit our About us page.
Free consultation
Let's choose the right program for you
Fill in the short form. We'll check your eligibility and map out a personal plan for you, with 2027 availability and an up-to-date breakdown of costs.
- We help you pick the right program
- We check your eligibility and plan your timeline
- We share every cost item in writing
Prefer to talk right now?
Guides: read before you go
From application to visa, we've gathered the most-asked questions into clear, up-to-date guides.
J-1 application process
Every program, step by step, from the first call to takeoff.
J-1 visa guide
The DS-2019, SEVIS, the DS-160 and booking your appointment.
Work and Travel 2027 timeline
Your month-by-month roadmap, from September 2026 to September 2027.
Work and Travel requirements
Student status, English and your summer break dates.
Work and Travel costs
Every cost item, plus the official fees.
Visa interview questions
Sample questions and tips to help you prepare.
For U.S. sponsors and host organizations
Are you a designated J-1 sponsor, a U.S. host employer, a summer camp, a high school exchange organization or a research institution looking for a reliable partner in Türkiye? We work with motivated students, graduates and academics and prepare them carefully: eligibility and English pre-screening, complete and well-organized applications, interview coaching and a thorough pre-departure orientation, so they arrive ready to contribute. Get in touch to explore how we could work together for the 2027 season and beyond.
Your journey to America starts with one call
Talk through your questions with an advisor. We'll pin down your program, timeline and budget in a single conversation.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What are J-1 exchange programs?
J-1 exchange programs are the cultural exchange programs the U.S. Department of State runs under the name BridgeUSA. Participants spend a set period in the U.S. working, training, studying or doing research, then return home. Bridge USA Türkiye focuses on five of them: Work and Travel, Intern / Trainee, Camp and Travel, J-1 High School Exchange and Research Scholar.
Is Bridge USA Türkiye the same as BridgeUSA?
No. BridgeUSA is the name the U.S. Department of State gives its J-1 exchange programs. Bridge USA Türkiye is an independent company in Türkiye that advises people who want to join these programs. The programs themselves run through designated sponsor organizations; we work with you on choosing a program, preparing your application, getting ready for your visa and pre-departure orientation.
Which J-1 program is right for me?
It mostly comes down to your age, your education and when you want to go. University students usually look at Work and Travel; students and recent graduates at Intern / Trainee; students, graduates and teachers aged 18+ at Camp and Travel; teens aged 15–18½ at high school exchange; and academics at Research Scholar. Take the 2-minute quiz on this page, or let's decide together in a free consultation.
When should I apply for a J-1 program?
For summer programs, starting early is a big advantage: we recommend September–November 2026 for Work and Travel 2027, and fall or winter for Camp and Travel. For the 2027–2028 high school exchange, applying by March 2027 is ideal. For internships and research programs, starting a few months before your target date is usually enough. See our Work and Travel application timeline for details.
How much does a J-1 program cost?
It depends on the program, the sponsor and the package. The common items are the program fee, the SEVIS fee, the visa application fee, health insurance and your flight. As of September 2026, the SEVIS fee is $35 for Work and Travel and Camp and Travel and $220 for the other programs, and the visa application fee is $185. These amounts may change. We'll prepare an up-to-date, itemized quote just for you.
I don't live in Bodrum. Can I still get advice from you?
Of course. You can meet us face to face at our office in Yalıkavak, Bodrum, or get the same one-on-one guidance from anywhere in Türkiye by video call, phone or WhatsApp. You share your documents online and follow every step of your application with your advisor remotely. The initial consultation is free: just fill in the form, and we'll plan the rest together.
How do you help with the J-1 visa process?
Once your DS-2019 is issued, we guide you through the SEVIS payment, the DS-160 form and booking your appointment. Before your interview, we check your documents together and run one-on-one practice sessions with likely questions. The visa decision rests with the U.S. consulate; our goal is to send you to your interview fully prepared and confident. More in our J-1 visa guide.
Do you work with U.S. sponsors and host employers?
Yes. Our programs run in cooperation with sponsor organizations designated by the U.S. Department of State, and we welcome conversations with J-1 sponsors, U.S. host employers, summer camps and research institutions looking for a reliable partner in Türkiye. Our focus is careful candidate preparation, from pre-screening to pre-departure orientation. Contact us to start the conversation.
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