Summer Work and Travel
Work and travel in America during your summer break: requirements, jobs and costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
J-1 program FAQ: answers to your most common questions
From Work and Travel to Research Scholar, from visas to fees: short answers to the questions we hear most. Want more detail? Every answer links you to the right page.
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J-1 program FAQ: where to start?
Our J-1 program FAQ brings together the questions people ask most, with short, clear answers. They're grouped under seven topics: general information, Work and Travel, Intern / Trainee, Camp and Travel, J-1 High School Exchange, Research Scholar and, finally, visas, documents and fees.
Each answer ends with a link to the page that covers the topic in depth. For in-depth articles, browse our J-1 program guides. To get to know us and how we work, visit our About Us page; for a question specific to your situation, get in touch.
Detailed information by program
Already know which program you're interested in? Go straight to its page:
Intern / Trainee
Internships in America for students, recent graduates and professionals.
Camp and Travel
A summer as a camp counselor at an American summer camp.
J-1 High School Exchange
A semester or a year with a host family, for students aged 15–18.
Research Scholar
Research at U.S. institutions for academics and researchers.
J-1 Visa Guide
DS-2019, SEVIS, DS-160, appointments and the interview, step by step.
Can't find your question? Ask us
For anything you don't see answered below, reach one of our advisors directly; we'll get back to you within 1 business day.
Which program suits you? Let's find out together
Choose "Not sure yet" on the form, and in a free initial assessment we'll work out the program that fits your situation best.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What is BridgeUSA, and how is it related to J-1 programs?
BridgeUSA is the name the U.S. Department of State gives its J-1 exchange visitor programs. Work and Travel, internships, summer camps, high school exchange and research programs all fall under this umbrella. Bridge USA Türkiye is an independent consultancy that guides people in Türkiye who want to join these programs. More: J-1 programs.
What does a J-1 sponsor organization do?
A sponsor is an organization designated by the U.S. Department of State to run J-1 programs. It reviews your application, approves your placement, issues your DS-2019 and stays in regular contact with you throughout the program; it also offers a support line you can reach in an emergency. We prepare your file here in Türkiye. Who does what: how we work.
What does Bridge USA Türkiye do for my application?
We're with you from choosing a program to coming home: eligibility check, your sponsor application file, document review, preparing for employer or camp interviews, DS-160 review, visa interview practice and pre-departure orientation. While you're in America, we're only a message away, and we make it easier to reach your sponsor. Step by step: the J-1 application process.
Do I need an English test score for a J-1 program?
Not for every program. Sponsors can verify your English through a language test, a letter from your school or their own English interview; for the high school program, a test such as ELTiS is often required. What matters is that you can communicate comfortably in daily life and at work during the program; we'll assess your level together in our first meeting. Requirements by program: compare the programs.
Who can apply for Work and Travel?
Students enrolled full-time in an on-campus university or vocational school program who have completed at least one semester can apply. Open-education (açıköğretim) and distance-learning students are generally not eligible. Your English level and summer break dates are also taken into account. Details: Work and Travel requirements.
How many months can I work on Work and Travel, and how long can I travel?
The program lasts up to 4 months and fits within your summer break; the actual length depends on your school's final exam and start dates. After your job ends, you have 30 days to depart the U.S., and many students use this time to travel. Details: Work and Travel 2027.
Why do I need a job offer before the visa for Work and Travel?
Because Türkiye is not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, students from Türkiye must be placed in a job before they travel to America. The sponsor vets the employer and the offer, then issues the DS-2019. That's why applying early means a wider choice of jobs. Details: Work and Travel application.
How is the hourly wage set on Work and Travel?
Your pay is stated in your job offer and is at least the minimum wage where you work: whichever is highest of the federal, state or local minimum wage applies. The amount varies by state, position and employer; in service jobs, tips can also be part of your income. Details: earnings and housing.
How can I find out what Work and Travel costs?
Costs include the program fee, SEVIS and visa fees, your flight, insurance and living expenses for your first few weeks. Because the program fee varies by sponsor and season, we share an up-to-date, itemized quote in writing. Official fees and every cost item: Work and Travel fees.
Who can apply for the Intern and Trainee programs?
The Intern program is open to full-time university students and to recent graduates who start the program within 12 months of graduating. For Trainee, you need a higher education degree plus at least 1 year of experience in your field outside the U.S., or 5 years of work experience. Details: U.S. internship requirements.
How long can an internship in the USA last?
The Intern program can last up to 12 months, and the Trainee program up to 18 months. For Trainee programs in hospitality and tourism and in agriculture, the maximum is 12 months. Your program's actual length is set by the training plan prepared with your host company. Details: Intern / Trainee program.
How many hours a week do J-1 interns work?
J-1 internship programs are full-time, with at least 32 hours a week. Your schedule is set out in the DS-7002 Training Plan prepared with your host company before the program. You don't take on any other job outside this plan during the program; the focus is on building the skills in your plan. Details: internship application and fees.
What fields can I intern in in the USA?
J-1 internships cover 10 occupational fields, including hospitality and tourism; engineering and sciences; business and finance; communications and media; arts and culture; agriculture; education; and public administration. Positions involving patient care and unskilled jobs are not eligible. Details: internship fields in the USA.
Do hospitality interns rotate through different departments?
Yes. In hospitality and tourism programs lasting 6 months or longer, you rotate through at least three different departments or roles, such as front office, food and beverage, and sales. You get to know the industry as a whole and add well-rounded experience to your CV. Details: hospitality and tourism internships.
Can graduates and teachers join Camp and Travel?
Yes. Camp and Travel has no student requirement: university students, graduates, teachers, youth workers and people with a special skill can all apply, as long as they're 18 or older. English good enough to communicate with children and a calendar that lets you stay at camp all summer are all you need. Details: camp counselor requirements.
What is a typical day like for a camp counselor?
The day starts with breakfast with your campers, followed by sports, arts, water sports or nature activities. You're responsible for a group of children, and if you have a specialty, you lead an activity. Evenings bring campfires and special events; you get free time every day and days off during the season. Details: camp types and roles.
What skills do summer camps look for?
Experience working with children is the biggest plus: volunteering, coaching, leading activities or teaching, for example. Sports, swimming, music, arts, dance, drama and outdoor sports are also in demand at camps. You don't have to be an expert; being energetic, responsible and a team player is hugely valuable. Details: Camp and Travel.
What's the difference between Camp and Travel and Work and Travel?
On Work and Travel, university students work seasonal jobs at places like hotels, restaurants or theme parks. On Camp and Travel, you spend the summer with children at a summer camp; room and board are usually provided at camp, and there's no student requirement. Both programs are followed by up to 30 days of travel. Comparison: see the programs side by side.
What grade should a student be in to apply for high school exchange?
Age matters more than grade: students must be between 15 and 18½ when the program starts and must not have completed more than 11 years of schooling, not counting kindergarten. In practice, the best timing is to apply in 9th or 10th grade and go the following year. Details: high school exchange requirements.
Does high school exchange last a semester or a full year?
There are two options: one semester or one full academic year. On the academic year program, students usually leave for America in August and return in June. We'll decide together which one suits best, based on the student's goals, the school calendar and the family's plans. Details: high school exchange in the USA.
How are host families selected?
Host families are volunteers, carefully screened by the sponsor: every family member living in the home is interviewed in person, adults undergo criminal background checks, and two references from people outside the family are collected. The student gets their own bed and a place to study. Details: host family and school life.
What classes do exchange students take in the USA?
The school sets the class schedule and grade level. Many schools ask exchange students to take English and U.S. history or U.S. government, with electives rounding out the schedule. School clubs and sports teams are also a big part of the experience. Details: school life at an American high school.
What do parents do during the application?
Parents are involved at every step: they join meetings, sign the application forms and consent documents, write introduction letters for the host family and provide financial documents. The student attends the visa interview; parental consent and family financial documents may be requested. Parents stay in touch with us throughout the program too. Details: high school exchange application.
Who can apply for the J-1 Research Scholar program?
Academics, postdoctoral researchers and experts in their field who will work at a U.S. university, research institute, museum, library or corporate research unit can apply. You need an invitation from the host institution and a research plan; tenure-track positions fall outside this category. The program can last from 3 weeks to 5 years. Details: J-1 Research Scholar.
Should I choose Short-Term Scholar or Research Scholar?
Look at the length and purpose of your visit. For a conference, seminar, observation or short collaboration, Short-Term Scholar is the right fit: it lasts up to 6 months and can't be extended. For a longer research project, Research Scholar, which can last from 3 weeks to 5 years, is the better choice. Details: J-1 research scholar program.
Who issues the DS-2019 for a Research Scholar?
In most cases, the U.S. university or institution that invites you issues the DS-2019 under its own J-1 sponsor designation. If the institution doesn't hold this designation, an umbrella sponsor can step in. Consultancies don't issue the DS-2019; we support you with researching institutions, your application file, documents and visa preparation. Details: Research Scholar application.
Where are J-1 visa interviews held in Türkiye?
In Türkiye, J-1 visa interviews take place at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara and the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul. You book your appointment through the official appointment system after completing the DS-160 and paying the visa application fee. Wait times vary by city and season, so planning early matters. Details: J-1 visa guide.
Why aren't program fees listed on your website?
Program fees vary by sponsor, season, duration and the package you choose. Rather than mislead you with an outdated figure, we share an itemized quote in writing that shows exactly what's included and what isn't. We do list the official SEVIS and visa fees, with dates, in our guides. For a current quote, get in touch.
Can an agency guarantee a J-1 visa?
No. Only the U.S. consulate decides on a J-1 visa; no consultancy or sponsor can guarantee one. Our job is to prepare a complete application, check your documents and get you ready for the interview with practice sessions. So instead of a guarantee, we promise you thorough preparation. Preparation tips: J-1 visa interview guide.
How early can I enter the U.S. before my J-1 program starts?
On a J-1 visa, you can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date on your DS-2019; you can't start your program or job before that date. After the program ends, you also have 30 days to depart the U.S. We plan your flight around these two dates. Details: steps after the visa.
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