• Participant Handbook• Insurance ID Card and Brochure• Exchange Visitor Flyer • Acknowledgment Form• Top Facts to Remember • SEVIS Flyer• I-94 Instructions • Social Security Information and Form

Your Orientation Package:

Before you log off today:

• Confirm that you have completed this required orientation!!

• Click on the “orientation acknowledgment form” link in your email, and fill out the required information.

• Don’t forget to click “I certify” in each of the indicated sections on the page.

• Contact your Outreach Coordinator with any questions you have about the Internship program!

Program Overview

Purpose of the J-1 Intern/Trainee program:• To enhance the skills and expertise of exchange visitors in their academic or occupational fields through participation in structured and guided work-based training and internship programs.

• To improve participants' knowledge of American techniques, methodologies, and expertise.

• To increase participants' understanding of American culture and society and to enhance Americans' knowledge of foreign cultures and skills through an open interchange of ideas between participants and their American associates.

Program Objectives

• Bridge the gap between formal education and practical work experience and gain substantive cross-cultural

experience

• Foster mutual understanding and respect

• Gain new skill sets

• Expose Americans to different cultures and cross-cultural differences

• Build friendships and networks across borders

Intern must either• Be enrolled in and pursuing studies in a degree- or certificate-granting post-

secondary institution

outside the United States OR

• Have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to their prospective program start date.

• INTERN: Programs can last up to 12 months. They can be as short as 3 months, though the shorter the program, the more difficult the placement (as a general rule).

Rules and Regulations

Rules and RegulationsTrainee must either:• Have either a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary

academic institution

• AND at least one year of prior related work experience acquired outside the United States OR

• Have at least five years of work experience outside of the United State in their occupational field.

• TRAINEE: Programs can last up to 18 months, with the exception of training programs in hospitality/tourism, which are limited to 12 months.

Home Country Physical Presence Requirement

Home-country physical presence requirement means the requirement that an exchange visitor who is within the purview of section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (substantially quoted in §62.44) must reside and be physically present in the country of nationality or last legal permanent residence for an aggregate of at least two years following departure from the United States before the exchange visitor is eligible to apply for an immigrant visa or permanent residence, a nonimmigrant H visa as a temporary worker or trainee, or a nonimmigrant L visa as an intra-company transferee, or a nonimmigrant H or L visa as the spouse or minor child of a person who is a temporary worker or trainee or an intra-company transferee.

Program Fees Cover:

• Internship placement secured prior to arrival or verification of internship opportunity if self-arranged

• Paperwork coordination: J-1 Visa documentation.

• Detailed training plan

• Health/Travel Insurance

• Orientation in the USA

• Housing assistance

• 24 hours a day/7 days a week personal support

• An Emergency 24-hour Assistance telephone number: 1 866 IM IN USA.

• Detailed participant handbook that contains all information relative to the program

• One month to travel within the USA after the training placement has been completed

Budget your time and money

• Costs upon arrival to the U.S.:

Initial $500, Transportation to jobsite, 1st month’s rent

& housing deposit

• Other housing costs

Utilities, telephone service & cable T.V.

• Living costs

Meals, toiletries, laundry & entertainment

Independent Living

Penny 1 cent

Dime 10 cents

Nickel5 cents

Quarter25 cents

Participant Handbook - Pages 23 -24

Terms

Partner Agency Exchange program in your country

Sponsor AgencyAlliance Abroad Group (AAG)

Host CompanyCompany where you will train in U.S.

SEVISStudent and Exchange Visitor Information System

Outreach CoordinatorAAG Representative

Contact Information Alliance Abroad Group, L.P. 1221 South Mopac Expressway, Suite #100, Austin, Texas 78746 - USATel: 1.512.457.8062 - Fax: 1.413.460.3502Toll Free Number: 1.866.IM IN USA - (1.866.464.6872)www.allianceabroad.comResponsible Officer: Rachel Anthony Tel: 512-904-1140Alternate Responsible Officer: Dave LanfrankieTel: 512-904-1110

U.S. Department of StateOffice of Exchange Coordination and DesignationECA/EC/PS - SA-44, Room 734301  4th Street, S.W.Washington, D.C. 20547Telephone:  202 203-5096Email: jvisas@state.gov

Participant Handbook - Page 7

Culture Shock: Expect the Unexpected!

Be Prepared to Adjust:

• Most people face cultural shock upon arrival. It’s normal!

• Allow time to adjust & to miss family and friends.

• It’s COLD in the winter and HOT in the summer!

•Research your location in the United States to get a

feel for the culture and climate in your home away from home!

Cultural Shock Advice:

• The program is what you make of it… Get involved!

• Be independent, but seek help if you need it.

• Keep a journal/diary of your memories.

• Check out our website for cultural components: www.allianceabroad.com

Participant Handbook - Page 22

Emergencies: 1-866-IM IN USA (1-866-464-6872)

• You are lost upon arrival.

• You are arrested.

• You are hospitalized with a serious injury.

• You are the victim of a violent crime or in immediate danger - CALL 911 FIRST!

• Another participant needs immediate help.

Call us at any hour if…

1 (866) IM IN USA or 1 (866) 464 - 6872

Your Outreach Coordinator

• You lose your passport or other documents.

• You have concerns about housing.

• You have host company concerns or your training is terminated.

• When you leave a message, be sure to speak slowly & include: your name, AAG ID

number, training location & telephone number. If you do not leave a message, we

cannot help you!

Call us during business hours if…

• Register your U.S. home address and training site address within 7 days of your program start date. To do so please email your name with confirmation that you have arrived in the US and include BOTH your US home address and your training site address to supportinfo@allianceabroad.com.

• This registration is required to maintain good status with the U.S. Government.

• SEVIS registration is necessary to apply for social security card.

Participant Handbook - Page 13

SEVIS Check-in

• You cannot register for SEVIS until the first date on your DS-2019 form.

• Failure to register = Visa Cancellation and Program Termination

• Check training offer or training plan (DS-7002) for contact information, directions and arrival instructions.

• Go straight to your host company and contact them before 9:00 p.m. on Monday-Friday only.

• Update AAG with your flight and arrival informationbefore departure to the U.S. at:

www.allianceabroad.com/sevis

• If your arrival information changes, please inform your Outreach Coordinator.

Go to your assigned host company

Participant Handbook - Page 13

• Remember your commitment is to your Host Company who invited you to the U.S. Your visa does not allow you to secure a second training or job while in the US.

• Remember! Problems can sometimes be a simple misunderstanding!

• Communication is key! Resolve problems with your host company first; call your AAG Outreach Coordinator if you cannot resolve it.

• Don’t put your visa status at risk!

Don’t leave your training site!

Participant Handbook - Page 13

• Read the training offer.

• If your position includes housing, you must accept the housing offered. You may not find your own housing.

• Pay rent on time and stay for your entire contract.

• Alliance Abroad Group is not your landlord. Look on your job offer or ask your employer to find out the name and contact information of your landlord.

• Bring enough money for your deposit and first month’s rent to pay upon arrival to prevent problems!

• Provide your landlord with your address in your home country.

Housing

Participant Handbook - Pages 24 - 26

Participant Arranged Housing

• This means YOU are responsible for finding housing!

• Email or call housing leads NOW, so your housing is available when you arrive!

• If you arrive to the training site and do no have housing, it is NOT your host company’s responsibility.

Failure to arrange housing prior to arrival could delay your training start date, SEVIS registration, and could put your training at risk!!!

You must leave your housing

in CLEAN CONDITION or…

Participant Handbook - Page 13

Housing

• Your deposit will NOT be refunded.

• Your last paycheck will go toward paying for damages.

• If there are additional charges, AAG will contact your family.

Rules, Laws & Regulations

• NO SEX, NO DRUGS, NO ALCOHOL… But be sure to have some FUN!

• STAY SAFE: stay out of lonely and dark areas, don’t take big risks.

• STAY LEGAL: know the laws of the U.S.: Drugs, shoplifting, drinking under the age of 21, driving under the influence of alcohol can all get you arrested, fired and will definitely get you sent home!

Stay out of trouble!

Participant Handbook - Page 31

Rules, Laws & Regulations• NO SHOPLIFTING! There are cameras watching you at

all times. If you take something that is not yours, you WILL GET CAUGHT!

• NO DRINKING: American laws are very strong. You must be 21 years old to drink alcohol! Your passport/ID will always be checked when you buy alcohol. DO NOT GIVE alcohol to people who are not 21 years old, you could go to jail!

• NO DRUGS: Drugs are not allowed in the United States! Do not buy, sell, or use drugs, or you will be caught.

• If you are arrested, you could ruin your program, and it will cost you a lot of money.

Participant Handbook - Page 31

123 - 45 - 6789

What is it?

• Social security is issued by the local Social Security Administration.

• Wait at least 10 days to apply after registering with SEVIS.

Social Security Card

Participant Handbook – Pages 17 - 18

• Keep your Social Security application receipt and show it to your employer.

• Apply for social security at the beginning of your program! If you apply in the last month of your program, you will be rejected!

Social Security Card

How to get it:

• Register with SEVIS at www.allianceabroad.com/sevis.

• You will need to have 2 copies of each document below:

Social Security Application form I-94 form (front & back) J-1 visa, training plan (DS-7002) and Sponsor letter Birth certificate or official picture ID that is at least one year old

For more information visit our website.

Participant Handbook – Page 20

DS 2019 form (front & back) Passport (photo/signature page)

Completing The Social Security Form

Host Company name & address

Nov 3 1984

URAI PATTIMA SANTITRAKUL

MANAT PANU JITKAEW

X

X

JITKAEW CHAOWAT

Bangkok, Thailand

Completing the Social Security Form

March 30, 2008

Chaowat Jitkaew

XXX

YOUR HOST COMPANY’S TEL.

Taxes

• Federal, State, Local Taxes = 15% –

20% of your paycheck

• Do NOT pay Social Security or

Medicare/Medicaid taxes

• W-4 tax form Employee’s Withholding

• W-2 tax form sent to you in January

• Leave your address with employer

W-4 and W-2 Forms:

Participant Handbook - Pages 15 - 16

• File for refund online before April 15 of next year

• Go to the AAG website for help with your taxes!

ALWAYS CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY BEFORE RECEIVING TREATMENT!

Health Insurance – CORIS USA1-800-358-9105

• Medical treatment, inpatient/outpatient

• Medical Evacuation and Repatriation

• Period of Coverage: DS 2019 Start Date – DS 2019 End Date

CORIS USA – Assistance Center

6713 MAIN ST Suite # 240

Miami Lakes, FL 33014

Toll free (USA) : 1-800-358-9105

Tel : 1 305 698 7757assistance@corisamerica.com

What is covered:

Participant Handbook - Pages 17

Deductible: •$50 USD first visit•$25 for each follow-up for same illness•$250 deductible for Emergency Room visits

Planning to Ski or Snowboard this Winter?

Don’t take an extra risk…

BUY SKI INSURANCE!!

•Your Alliance Abroad Group travel insurance plan does NOT cover skiing or snowboarding, so if you think that there is a chance that you will be doing these activities during your program, we strongly encourage you to buy this low-cost insurance.

•A broken arm or broken leg can cost up to $3,000 or more without insurance.

•You can purchase this Ski Insurance at the Alliance Abroad Group website (credit card required).  A quick & easy step-by-step process is included: www.allianceabroad.com/participants/insurance_Bulstrad.htm#ski 

•Cost: Only $15 USD per month

•If you have questions, please contact your Outreach Coordinator!

 

 

 

• Pre-existing conditions or illnesses prior to arrival

• Asthma, diabetes, toothaches are not covered!• Routine medical check-ups• Pregnancy and childbirth, elective abortion• Dental and eye care• Injuries from hazardous activities including: sailing, diving, and skiing• Psychiatric care• Physical therapy• Cash, Personal Papers, flight tickets, computers and bicycles are not covered

under your baggage insurance.• For more information www.allianceabroad.com/participants/insurance.htm and read the insurance brochure on your orientation cd

What is NOT covered:

Participant Handbook - Pages 17

Health Insurance

• How to contact AAG & the State Department

• Training site Protocol

• Internship program regulations

• Insurance

• Social Security cards

• Taxes and W-2 forms

• Life and customs in the U.S.

• Safety and much more!

Participant Handbook

Read it before you leave home!

Don’t Forget…

Documents to bring with you:

Travel & entry into the U.S.

• DS 2019 form

• I-94 form

• Passport with J-1 stamp/sticker

• AAG Sponsor letter

• CORIS insurance card

• Training Plan (DS-7002)

• Birth certificate (or other official picture ID at least 1 year old)

US VISIT Program: New procedures require that you be fingerprinted when applying for your visa & when entering the U.S.

Don’t Forget…

QUESTIONS?

• If you have questions, please email your Outreach Coordinator and ask! We are always here to help!

• Go to www.allianceabroad.com/participants and learn helpful tips and information about:

• Insurance (don’t forget to purchase your ski insurance!)

• Taxes (and tax refunds!)

• Cultural activities in your town

• Hostels

• SEVIS information

• Regulations

• Contact information

• And much, much more!!