As a student, almost the only thing you look forward to is the summer holiday. As someone who has just finished their undergraduate life, my advice to you is not to waste any of your summers. Take your backpack and go as far as you can. Besides backpacking trips like Interrail, you should also make use of opportunities like the Work&Travel (WAT) that America offers students. Work&Travel is a cultural exchange project started by America; it offers you the chance to go and stay in America, and you can also earn some money, travel around and have the time of your life. It also offers the chance to improve your English, depending on how sociable you are.
The FedEx truck we see in almost every Hollywood film
If you're going to say I'll have a summer full of adventure, I'll discover America, you need to keep many things about this programme and holiday in mind, and also make a good plan. I'll try to help you as much as I can on this; thanks in advance…1. WHAT IS WORK AND TRAVEL?
It's a programme started in the 1960s to introduce America to the world and give young people a lovely experience: let them come, earn money and tour our country, have fun and improve their language. Today it's in high demand from most countries in the world. In other words, the Work And Travel programme is a cultural exchange student programme run by the American Government that lets university students from different parts of the world improve their English by working in America during their holidays and get to know different cultures of the world. The Work And Travel programme lets you understand America by living it not as a foreign tourist but as a local tourist. While providing all this, you cover your travel expenses from the job you work at, and if you don't get carried away shopping, you can even come back to your country with money.
You'll be able to earn an average of 1000-2000$ a month and cover your living expenses and your shopping and travel expenses in America. You'll tour America, the land of dreams and freedoms, while earning money, and be as free as you like. In short, by working and holidaying at the same time, you'll be able to stand on your own two feet. Be sure that after this you'll return to your country having gained an experience you'll never forget. In terms of time, the programme lets you work legally for 3 months and travel around as a tourist for 1 month.
2. WHO CAN TAKE PART IN WORK AND TRAVEL?
The basic requirement to take part in the Work and Travel programme is being a university student in full-time, in-person education. At the same time, candidates taking part in the programme are expected to speak at least intermediate English so that they get the most out of it. On top of that, a GPA of at least 2 out of 4, and finally the processes/fees I'll mention below, are unfortunately procedures that need to be completed.3. WHAT KINDS OF JOBS CAN YOU DO ON WORK AND TRAVEL?
I started work as a lifeguard in the water park section of the Kalahari Resort in the city of Wisconsin Dells. While working as a lifeguard I generally worked 40 hours a week. As we got to know the city in depth and got on top of everything, we started looking for second jobs. From the end of the first 8 weeks, I started my second job as a housekeeper (cleaning staff) at Mt. Olympus Resort. While doing these jobs, sometimes we jumped into the pool for little children, sometimes we cleaned floors, but I didn't mind doing these things. Because I'd gone knowing all this, in line with my goals. I had one aim: I wanted to improve myself by living and working in a foreign country. But of course, if you like, you could be a cook, a shop or café worker, or even work in the fish factories in Alaska. If you apply to an agency 6-7 months in advance, there'll be plenty of job options!
Kalahari Resort Water Park
4. WHICH COMPANY SHOULD YOU GO WITH FOR WORK AND TRAVEL?
Without finding an intermediary company that organises this in Turkey, it's very hard to apply to the programme and get accepted. These companies, which will manage the whole process with America, have offices in cities like Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir. Personally I recommend the company "Ozman". Their office is in Beşiktaş; definitely go and have a tea with them. They're pleasant people to chat with; they'll take care of every step and answer the questions in your head. For the Ozman company's website, click here.
The company really matters; when we arrived in Wisconsin Dells, many student groups had been left without a hostel or without a job. Keeping this in mind, research the company you'll go with thoroughly, and apply only when you're really sure
5. HOW MUCH DOES WORK AND TRAVEL COST TO JOIN?
Looking back at around 2011 the dollar was at around 1.4, while today the dollar keeps rising. That being the case, I think approaching it with a "let me earn some money" logic wouldn't be that unreasonable, but I'd also like to remind you that seeing this programme only as a chance to earn money will disappoint you.With consultancy and visa fees around $1500, a plane ticket $600-$700 and the pocket money you take with you $1000, you'll spend around $3000-$3500 just to take part in the programme. The money you earn while you're there is just about enough to cover what you've spent and to get by there, that is food, drink, transport, activities and maybe a bit of travelling in America afterwards. Of course this is a scenario based on a generalisation. Don't forget that the WAT programme is really for fun/adventure, and don't wear yourself out trying to earn money. Put the programme fees to one side and spend the money you earn there freely on travelling around and shopping.
6. HOW MUCH CAN YOU EARN ON WORK AND TRAVEL?
Here we are again at the subject some like and some don't. Friends, the money depends entirely on the job you choose and the type of work. Almost 100% of jobs in America pay by the hour. This pay is either paid into your account or they give you a cheque. For it to go into your account, you need to go to the bank the company has an agreement with in the city you go to and open an account. As for the cheque, you go to the bank and get cash from the bank. In fact, the best thing about this programme is that while you're still applying for the job, the intermediary company shows you your hourly pay in the contract. Generally, pay ranges between $7.5-12 an hour. If you want to earn a lot of money, head for Alaska without a second thought.
How do you earn money?
On average, the amount you'll earn per month is in the $1000-$1500 range.7. HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU SPEND IN AMERICA?
We need to start with the most important thing, accommodation; generally you might end up in rooms for 4, or you can stay in rooms for 2. If you say you like your comfort, you can even stay in single rooms. While working in Wisconsin I moved 3 times. I completed my working period by staying first at $80 a week for 2 weeks, second at $50 a week for 8 weeks, and finally at $75 for 2 weeks.In the end, if you pay $300-$400 a month in rent and food and drink costs $200-$300, you're left with about half the money you earn. Of course these figures can vary a lot from city to city. If, like me, you say "I need more money for shopping and travelling", you should also consider the option of a second job.
8. HOW DO YOU GET A TAX REFUND WHEN YOU COME BACK?
Since you're not a US citizen, you can get back the taxes you paid in the US. The company that sends you on WAT or companies that do tax refunds provide this service. Most of the taxes you paid will be paid to you with an application you make after returning to Turkey.9. WHAT DOES WORK AND TRAVEL GIVE YOU?
First of all it gives you 'self-confidence'. It really develops you in learning to stand on your own two feet without anyone close to you, and keeping your life going according to the money you have.
As for language, the chance to improve your language varies from person to person as well as from job to job. If you don't have upper-intermediate English when you go, they won't send you to a job where speaking is active anyway. I think it's better to be honest about this.
Apart from these, meeting different cultures and living together with them will change both how you see the world and how you see yourself, and it's a programme you should definitely go on.
10. WHY DO WORK AND TRAVEL?
√ As I mentioned above, you gain confidence in yourself, that is self-confidence up! √ Your English level can go up, and it can also end up worse than when you went. This part depends on your determination and drive. The more curiosity, the more progress. √ You can meet dozens of people from dozens of countries: Americans, Mexicans, Russians, Chinese, Koreans, Taiwanese… √ You'll have adventures you'll never forget for the rest of your life and your most unforgettable memories. √ You'll feel to the bone what the concept of freedom is. √ You'll learn that there are other people, other nations, cultures and languages in the world, and learn to respect them. √ From free to a little expensive, you'll buy clothes you'd never be able to buy in your life. Many giant companies' shops have outlet stores. There's so much you can buy, from shoes to clothes, watches and sunglasses, at prices that can't be compared with Turkey. √ You can ride in cars you'd never ride in your life, even if it's by renting them, and do your trip in that car. √ Ha-ving fun! Amusement parks, lovely destinations, parties, beaches. It seems to be at the top of the most-loved parts...11. WHAT PROBLEMS WILL YOU FACE DURING WORK AND TRAVEL?
× First of all, not everything will go the way you want, that is you'll have a hard time. It's not as enchanting, bright and lovely as you've been told or as it's been described to you. Many things, good or bad, have happened to everyone who's gone. But the important thing is having the strength and power to overcome these parts. × Classic jet lag syndrome: the disruption of the biological rhythm due to jet fatigue or desynchronisation is the first problem you'll face after a long flight. × The food problem is one of the most important. Going from a very broad cuisine to American cuisine, constant fast food may not appeal to you. Watch out for huge portions and fatty foods, and for not putting on weight. × You may have problems with your roommates. × Missing family and friends; my advice here is to enjoy the moment and spend your time in the best way. Don't regret the things you couldn't do when you come back J × If it's your first experience abroad, you may struggle a bit with making plans and creating routes. After that, you'll have the spirit to go wherever you want.12. HOW DID I DECIDE ON WORK AND TRAVEL?
@Wisconsin Dells Downtown
Friends, in this part I'll try to tell you briefly about what happened to me.I was going to start working as a lifeguard in the city of Wisconsin Dells in the state of Wisconsin. Beforehand, with the ticket we bought from Lufthansa, I had a connection first in Frankfurt and then in Chicago. From Chicago I was going to go to the city of Dells with the bus company Greyhound. The plane-to-bus connection was very eventful and hectic. With $1000 dollars and 1 huge suitcase on you, while you're looking this way and that trying to work out where to go, you naturally get startled when Black people suddenly appear in front of you. With a 14-hour flight, a 5-hour bus journey and 4-5 hours of waiting, I reached the city of Dells after about 24 hours.
On this point companies also work differently; some WAT companies or taxis meet you at the airport and take you to the city you're going to. On the way I was both excited and nervous, along with lots of questions I didn't know the answers to.
Don't make a big deal of it in your head; sometimes it's worth just going with the flow.
On the first day they gave us basic orientation training in lifeguarding, then sent us home with a booklet. The next day we took a 25-question exam. If I remember correctly, those who scored under 70 in the exam couldn't take the second stage, the swimming and diving exam. Since the exam was held once a week, one of our friends tried for a full 3 weeks to pass it. Unfortunately things like this can happen too. After the exam there were tests of a 100-metre freestyle swim and retrieving an object from the bottom of a 4-metre pool. Those who couldn't pass these became standard lifeguards, and those who passed, like us, became deep lifeguards. There was a difference of only $0.5 in the hourly pay.
Within 1 week, anyway, the whole team had got used to the job and everything had gone back to normal. The people were nice, the atmosphere was lovely, so much so that I'd really come to like America.
Lots of WATers like us had come from various countries, and we'd made lovely friendships. If they asked me again, "Anıl, would you go on WAT again?", my answer would definitely be "YES". Chances like this don't always come your way. As I always say, don't waste any time in your university life. Live it to the full, travel a lot and have fun; afterwards, even if you have all the money in the world, you don't get holidays this long. In short, you can live one of the most enjoyable moments of your life.
13. RECOMMENDATIONS
! When going on the Work And Travel programme, don't think of it as going on holiday! It's very tiring; it will be as if you're working at a regular job. ! Don't be fooled by films and build rose-tinted dreams. Just as there's a comfortable and lovely life in the country, there are also people living in poverty. I strongly recommend going with your dreams brought down to a realistic level. ! Definitely don't go to America with this programme to earn money and come back. Just as this programme earns you money, it also makes you spend your money. If you're going to save money, it's worth considering Alaska, even if it's only a possibility. ! Already at the stage of choosing the job and the city you'll work in, you can motivate yourself by thinking about the travel part and your route. ! You should choose a job that suits you, otherwise 3 months can turn into torture. ! If you get the chance, 2-3 friends can buy a car, go wherever you like by car during the remaining 1 month of travel, and sell the car in the city you'll fly back from.Click for my post about the city of Wisconsin Dells: my post! I'll also soon share the post about my travel route in the last 1 month.
6,158 km
6,204 km
6,217 km