SUMMER WORK AND TRAVEL Program Orientation

Welcome Welcome to CENET: Cultural Exchange Network’s Summer Work and Travel Program. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your decision to work abroad! As many of you who have traveled abroad know, not only will this experience help to expand your understanding of the world, but you will also gain considerable knowledge about your own individual strengths and weaknesses. In fact, simply accepting the challenge to work abroad inherently demonstrates qualities such as independence, self-confidence, adaptability, tolerance and an enterprising spirit. While you are in the USA, I would like to encourage you to keep in contact with CENET. Having spent more than 15 years living outside the United States, I am always eager to provide my own individual insight if you ever have any specific questions. We look forward to hearing from you! Robyn Walker, Executive Director

Rules, Regulations, and Expectations  Meet all eligibility criteria of the program.  Have and show adequate financial support.  Maintain adequate health insurance that includes repatriation and medical evacuation in compliance with the Exchange Visitor Program requirements.  Contact CENET upon your arrival in the US.  Keep CENET informed of your current address and phone number at all times. You must update CENET with your new address within 72 hours if you move to different housing.  Represent your country and CENET with dignity and professionalism.  Obtain the necessary endorsements from CENET before you travel outside the US during your program.

Rules, Regulations, and Expectations  Report to the host company listed on your DS-2019 and remain with this host company throughout your entire program.  Attend all orientation and evaluation sessions organized by CENET, your agent, or your host company.  Know and abide by all host company, landlord, CENET, and government rules, policies, and regulations.  Abide by all signed agreements with CENET and your host company.  Understand that your host company is not your social director. You are responsible for your own social life, entertainment, and transportation.  Contact your supervisor with any problems. If the problem continues, contact CENET.  Use the grace period for the intended purposes only.  Return home at the conclusion of your program in order to continue your studies.

Rules, Regulations, and Expectations  Possess sufficient English language skills to successfully complete the work.  Show a maturity level and personality adequate to participate and benefit from this cultural exchange experience.  Work only at approved work sites. You may not work as a domestic or in door-to-door sales, provide patient care or in-home child care, or in jobs that require investment of money.  Understand that the program is not a way to obtain a permanent job in the US or a way to immigrate. Failure to abide by any of the rules listed in this orientation and in the information provided to you with your DS-2019 may result in dismissal from the program and early return to your home country.

Upon Arrival You must notify CENET within 72 hours of your arrival in the United States. This arrival notification allows CENET to activate your health insurance and inform the Social Security Administration and the US State Department of your entrance. 3 ways to notify CENET of your arrival:  Online activation   Call free: Caroline Eom, Work and Travel Director

Host Company  You must report to the host company listed on your DS-2019 form.  You must remain with this host company throughout your entire program.  Failure to do so could result in the termination of your program.

Social Security Number You need to wait at least 10 days after you have notified CENET of your arrival in the US before applying for the Social Security number.  CENET has to activate your record in the SEVIS system, and then it will take 10 days for your information to be available to the Social Security office in SEVIS.  You need to take the following documentation to the Social Security office when applying:  DS-2019  I-94  Job offer  Passport  Program sponsor letter from CENET

Staying in Contact with CENET You must maintain contact with CENET throughout your stay in the US. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:  Notify CENET of your arrival and housing address  Notify CENET immediately of any changes in living arrangement or employment status.  Notify CENET of your departure arrangements.  Check weekly.  Respond to CENET’s monthly monitoring s. The US State Department requires CENET to monitor the location and activity of all participants throughout their programs. CENET must know your living address, telephone number, and place of employment at all times.

Contact with CENET You must check your .  should be checked at least once a week.  CENET will send important messages and reminders via .  You should respond as soon as possible. Failing to keep in contact with CENET may result in the termination of your program.

Monitoring  The US State Department requires sponsors to send monthly monitoring s to participants.  YOU MUST RESPOND TO THESE S WITHIN 10 DAYS!  The State Department’s regulations require sponsors to terminate the programs of students who fail to respond to monitoring s.

Student Responsibilities Once you accept a position with a US company, you must honor that agreement and remain with the company throughout the program. Conflicts may arise between you and your host company. CENET encourages you to speak with your supervisors first and try to reach a resolution.  If a resolution cannot be reached, contact CENET for advice and assistance.  CENET may be able to find alternate employment, depending on the circumstances. However, if a new position cannot be found, you will have to return to your home country.  You should not leave your host company without authorization from CENET. This may result in the termination of your program.

We hope you enjoy your program!