aag pre_departure orientation 2017 - part i
TRANSCRIPT
PARTICIPANT PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION
Part I of III
Presented by Alliance Abroad Group
Your designated visa sponsor
Version
11/17/2014
• Alliance Abroad Group, (AAG) has prepared the following presentation in order to meet and exceed the U.S. Department of State J-1 visa regulations found in section {62.10} Program Administration.
• This is Part I of III presentations that will help prepare you as you embark on your cultural exchange program in the U.S.
• Presentation Part I Overview:
• Program Purposes & Descriptions
• Key Program Partnerships
• Important Contact Information
• Program Welcome Brochure & Welcome Letter
• Participant Handbook and Participant Portal
• Proceed with Part II of Pre-Departure Orientation Program
Congratulations!
“The purpose of this program is to provide foreign college and
university students with opportunities to interact with U.S. citizens, experience U.S. culture while sharing their own cultures
with Americans they meet, travel in the United States, and work in jobs that require minimal training and are seasonal or temporary in order to earn funds to help defray
a portion of their expenses.”
{62.32 (b)} Summer Work Travel
Summer Work Travel Program
Summer Work Travel Program Requirements
• Program Participants must be sufficiently proficient in English to successfully interact in an English speaking environment;
• Program Participant must be a post-secondary school student enrolled in and actively pursuing a degree or other full-time course of study at an accredited educational institution outside the United States;
• Program duration is up to 4 months;
• Job placements are considered entry level, and seasonal or temporary;
• Pay and benefits commensurate with American counterparts
Designated Sponsor Obligations As your program sponsor, AAG is Obligated to:
• Comply with and educate all parties on Department of State Program
Regulations,
• Adequately staff, train and provide support to all program participants,
• Monitor the safety, health and welfare of each AAG sponsored
participant,
• Provide effective 24 hours support to all program participants.
Key Program Partnerships
• Department of State: Governing body for all J-1 Visa Programs
• Alliance Abroad Group: Your Designated Visa Sponsor
• Partner Agency: Your Home Country Agency or Program Enroller
• Host Company: Your Employer during your Program
• Outreach Coordinator: Your assigned AAG dedicated team member for
support during your program
AAG Provides Support 24 Hours/7 Days a Week
Toll Free Number: 1 – 866 622-7623 Email: [email protected] Address: 1645 E 6th Street, Suite 100
Austin, Texas 78702 Normal Business Hours: 8:30am – 5:30pm Central Standard Time
All safety, health or welfare emergencies will be patched through to an AAG On Call Representative after Normal
Business Hours. Messages will be taken for non-emergencies and will be
responded to the next business day.
Responsible Officer: John McNamara Alternative Responsible Officer: Laurie Moxley
Introduction: Program Welcome Brochure
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE CONTACT INFORMATION Address: ECA/EC/OPA, State Annex – 44 (SA-44) 301 4th Street, SW, Room 349 Washington, DC 20547-4406 General Telephone Number: 202-632-2805 J-1 Visa Hotline (Emergencies): 1-866-283-9090 Fax Number: 202-453-8961 Email (General Inquires): [email protected] Website: http://j1visa.state.gov/ Program Welcome Brochure Highlights
• Contact Information
• Jobs that are Not Allowed
• Safety Tips & Preparation for a Successful Experience
• First Point of Contact: Your Designated Sponsor, AAG
Summer Work Travel Advisory Letter Highlights
1. Congratulations and Welcome
2. Be Prepared • Before Departure Contact Your Employer • Provide you Sponsor your arrival details • Ensure you planned your travel from the airport to your destination • Have enough money to cover your expenses • Study the pre-arrival materials • Contact your sponsor with any additional questions • Research using the internet and learn about your new city &
neighborhood
3. First Point of Contact during your program is Your Designated Sponsor
(Alliance Abroad Group)
4. Still concerned or issues unresolved reach out to the Department of
State
You should have received AAG Sponsor Letter with your DS-2019 document. You will need to present this letter at your embassy appointment. The bottom portion of this Sponsor Letter is your AAG ID card.
J1 Summer Work Travel Sponsor Letter
AAG J-1 Participant Handbook
Participant Handbook is a great resource to get you ready for your program in the US! The information provided includes program regulations, insurance, taxes, American culture and much more
ToDownloadthePar/cipantHandbook,pleasegoto:h:p://par/cipants.allianceabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/Par/cipantsHandbook2017.pdf
AAG Participant Portal
ThisisaGREATresourceforYOUduringyourprogram.Pleasecheck“BeforeProgram”,“DuringProgram”and“A0erProgram”headingstoseeinformaFonthatwillbehelpfulandusefultoyou.SEVIS,SSN,MonthlyCheckIn,Insurance,Taxes,andmuchmore-it’sallthere!
www.participants.allianceabroad.com