Frequently asked questions about the summer work programme in the USA
Here you will find answers to the Work and Travel USA questions students ask us most often.
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General
The programme
Work
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Taxes
Can I go if I am in my first year or my final year?
Yes, absolutely.
First-year students are advised to pass their winter exam session, or at least part of it, before the visa interview, so they can show they are serious about their studies. Fourth-year bachelor’s students and master’s students can also take part, but the consular officer will ask what they plan to do after the summer in the USA (continuing their education, a job already lined up and so on), to be satisfied that they will return to Bulgaria once the programme ends.
Where is it better to go - a big city, a resort or a national park?
It depends on your priorities:
- National parks and employers in remoter locations: Cheap rent, cheap food and reliable hours, but limited options for a second job. If you do well, you may be given extra hours that make up for not having one. Social life outside the park is also limited, so employers often organise parties, film nights and transport to shops and malls. Ideal if you want to save money, or if you love the outdoors.
- Resort towns: Far more options for a second job and a lively social scene, but accommodation is expensive and hard to find. A good balance between earning and enjoying yourself.
- Big cities: High living costs and expensive rent; you may face a long commute and struggle to find a second job. If you have your heart set on a big city, choose offers with housing provided. The upside is that there is plenty to do in your free time.
Can I travel with friends?
Of course. Students very often join the programme with a friend or a group of friends. Just tell us who your friends are so we can link your profiles, and we will make sure you go through the whole process together.
What should we keep in mind when travelling with friends?
When choosing a job, look for larger employers who hire more than a handful of students. If there are three or more of you, aim for bigger hotels, resorts, national parks, amusement parks, lifeguard companies or supermarkets. These employers usually have room to hire you across different positions, which helps if the people in your group have different levels of English and different preferences.
Bear in mind, too, that if the employer provides housing there may be rules about sharing: if you are travelling with a friend of the opposite sex, you may not be able to be placed in the same room.
How much money should I actually bring with me for the start?
We recommend $800 – $1000. Your first paycheck usually arrives after two to three weeks of work. Until then you will need to cover rent for the first weeks, a housing deposit, food and transport.
What is the grace period and can I work during it?
After the final work date written on your DS-2019 certificate, you are entitled to a 30-day grace period. It is meant solely for travel, sightseeing and packing up within the United States. During those 30 days you may not work legally (neither your first nor your second job), and you may not leave the USA and re-enter (to Canada or Mexico, for example), because your visa has already expired.
What does the medical insurance cover and what do I do if I fall ill in the USA?
Insurance is included in the programme fee and covers medical emergencies, accidents and sudden illness. The cover is high and fully meets the requirements of the US State Department. It does not cover routine check-ups, chronic conditions or dental work (except for emergency severe pain). If you need medical help, check with the insurer first where possible to find out which in-network facility to go to. If you turn up at a random hospital, getting your treatment approved and covered may be difficult.
What is the difference between the Sponsor Assisted and Self-Arranged options?
With Sponsor Assisted you choose from job offers provided by our American partners and apply for a position at a virtual or in-person interview. Sponsor-provided offers usually come with housing included, or the employer helps with information on finding somewhere to live. With Self-Arranged you find an employer yourself (through friends who have been there, job platforms and so on). Once you have an offer, you pass the details to us and we send it to the sponsor for approval. The second option is cheaper but takes more time and effort on your part.
What should I pay closest attention to in the job offer?
Before you accept a job, check the following:
- Guaranteed hours: How many hours a week the employer guarantees you (look for at least 32-35).
- Housing: Whether accommodation is provided, what it costs per week, what is included (utilities, furnishings) and what the deposit and rent terms are.
- Extras: Whether there are bonuses for good performance or for finishing the season, free meals on shift, discounts for staff, free use of facilities (pools, spa, rides).
- Start and end dates: Whether the contract dates fit your academic year and your travel plans.
- Uniform and training: Whether a uniform is required and how long training lasts.
What is overtime and how is it paid?
Under US law, every hour worked beyond 40 hours a week for one employer counts as overtime. It is paid at 1.5 times your standard rate (if you earn $16/hour, overtime is $24/hour). Note: Employers whose business is purely seasonal are not obliged to pay a higher rate for extra hours. But if you can pick up additional hours at your standard rate, that is still worth having and saves you the effort of finding a second job.
Which position suits a first job best if I also want a second one?
Choose a job with morning shifts. Housekeeping is a good option, because shifts usually start around 8am and you are done by 3-4pm. Bakeries and cafes work well too: the morning shift starts very early, around 5-6am, and finishes about 2pm, leaving you plenty of time for a second job.
Is it legal to find a second job, and how does it work?
Yes, it is entirely legal, but with one important condition. Before you start the second job, you must send the offer and employer details to your sponsor for checking and approval. If you start without approval, you risk having your programme terminated, because you are not registered at that workplace in the US State Department system. Our main partner, CIEE, has a platform with second-job offers in the area around your main placement.
Which positions are best suited to a second job?
When looking for a second job, choose a position with flexible hours (evening shifts or weekends only) so it does not clash with your first job. The best options are:
- Fast-food staff – fast-food restaurants are always looking for people for evening or closing shifts.
- Housekeeping: hotels often need extra staff for weekends only, when guest turnover is high and rooms have to be cleaned quickly.
- Kitchen staff: restaurant positions are ideal for the evening, from 5pm to 10-11pm.
- Ice cream or souvenir shop assistant: these shops in resorts stay open late and often hire J-1 students for three or four hours a day.
What will the consular officer check at the visa interview?
At your visa interview the consular officer mainly wants to establish whether you take your education seriously and whether you have solid reasons to return to Bulgaria. They will assess your level of English and check that you understand the rules of the programme – namely that this is a cultural exchange programme, not a work one.
Is it a problem if I have relatives in the USA?
Absolutely not. Plenty of students have close or distant relatives in the USA. In most cases the place they choose for the programme is not even near their relatives, and they may only see them once the work period is over.
If you do have relatives, simply say who they are, which city they live in, and whether you plan to see them while you are in the USA.
How much of my tax can I get back in Bulgaria?
As a J-1 student you pay Federal Income Tax and State Income Tax, but you are exempt from Social Security and Medicare contributions. After you return to Bulgaria (before April of the following year) you are required to file a tax return, and there is a good chance you will get back part of the federal and state tax withheld.