2015 WAT TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS

The key to a successful WAT program is READ, UNDERSTAND, FOLLOW

INSTRUCTIONS and CHECK YOUR FPI OFFICIAL E-MAILS EVERYDAY.

I. REVIEW OF JOB RELATED DOCUMENTS:

1. Job Description contains information like nature of job, address, housing, nearest airport, airport pick ( if provided by employer) transfer from airport to housing / employer, etc.

Find out if housing is pre-arranged by employer, or if you need to arrange it yourself prior to arrival in the U.S. You will not be allowed to travel without pre-arranged housing. Call up FPI if you have concerns regarding housing.

Study and learn instructions on how to travel from airport to your housing even if your employer will provide airport pick up.

2. Job Offer / Job Contract contains information about your employer, position, address, contact

person and contact number, allowances, number of hours, etc.

3. Official e-mail addresses by this time you are all expected to have set up your OFFICIAL E-MAIL ADDRESS following the FPI format. Your employer, Program Sponsor and FPI will be sending you communications while in the program and until your return in the Philippines. CHECK emails at least two times a day (morning and evening) so that you will not miss important messages and instructions. If you receive an email from employer prior to your departure, forward it to FPI at inquiry@firstplaceinc.org so we can assist you as needed.

II. REVIEW FLIGHT SCHEDULE / PASSPORT / VISA INFORMATION:

1. Print your e-ticket (electronic plane ticket) which is required when you check-in at the airport.

Review it carefully and take note of the date, time and terminal of your departure from Manila as well as date, time, and airport of arrival in the U.S. Review also the date, time and airport of your departure from the U.S. after program. It is very expensive to re-book flights.

2. Memorize your e-ticket number and you can log in at your airlines website (EXAMPLE: www.delta.com) to view the details of your flight, print your ITINERARY since it contains details of your CONNECTING FLIGHTS.

3. If there are instructions from your EMPLOYER that you should e mail them your arrival information, please do so at least 2 weeks prior to arrival date in the U.S. Failure to do this may result in the cancellation of your job because the employer may think that you are not coming. Respond to emails of employer in a timely manner WITHOUT DELAYS.

4. Check your PASSPORT WITH J-VISA, DS-2019 and STICKER FROM THE COMMISSION ON FILIPINOS OVERSEAS (CFO). You cannot travel IF YOU DO NOT HAVE any of these important travel documents. FILL UP the DEPARTURE/EMBARKATION card before you go to the airport.

III. ACTUAL DAY OF DEPARTURE:

1. Be at the airport at least 3 HOURS before your actual departure time. Get names and contact

numbers of other students travelling with you so you can meet them at the airport. 2. To go inside the Departure area, be prepared to present to the guard your PASSPORT (without

plastic/leather jacket) and E-TICKET. Bring also other acceptable ID like school ID, etc. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

mailto:inquiry@firstplaceinc.org

3. At the check in counter, they will verify your passport, J1 visa and E Ticket. The Immigration Officer will check everything including your DS-2019 and CFO Sticker. You will not be allowed to leave without a valid visa and CFO Sticker.

4. Do not bring too much stuff in your luggage. Charges for excess luggage is very expensive 5. Label your luggage properly with your name, addresses in the Philippines and the US, phone

numbers and e mail. IV. ARRIVAL AT THE U.S. PORT OF ENTRY ( first U.S. stop):

1. When you arrive at the U.S. PORT OF ENTRY, follow instructions that will be announced by the

Stewardess before the plane touches down. Make sure you filled up your CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORM that will be distributed by the Stewardess. Be ready with your passport with J1 visa and DS 2019. Proceed to the designated area for NON-IMMIGRANT visa holders.

2. Cell phones and taking pictures are NOT ALLOWED AT THE IMMIGRATION AREA. 3. During the interview with the Immigration Officer, listen carefully, follow instructions and answer

questions correctly based on your DS 2019 and Job Agreement. Finger prints and photo will be taken as part of the Immigration procedures.

4. Proceed to the BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA and get your check in luggage. If you have a connecting flight, CHECK IN again your luggage near the same area. If you are not sure on how to do this, approach an airport personnel for assistance. Remember, it is better to ask than to get lost

NOTE: Baggage Claim Carousels are labeled according to Airlines and Flight Numbers

5. If you have connecting flight, proceed to your GATE for your next flight. Airlines schedules (like gate number, boarding and departure times) can be seen through MONITORS.

6. If and when you missed your connecting flight, do not panic. APPROACH an Airline Personnel and ask for ASSISTANCE. This is the first thing you need to do INSTEAD of calling your parents, school officials or FPI who are thousands of miles away from you.

V. ARRIVAL AT FINAL DESTINATION:

1. Go out of the airplane and proceed to the Baggage Claim Area to get your luggage. If employer confirmed that you will be picked-up, they must have given you details of the MEETING PLACE. Normally, meeting place is at the Baggage Claim area.

2. If there is no airport pick up proceed to the Ground Transportation area where you can find cab / taxi, shuttle and buses. Prior to departure from Manila, you should have planned already what land transportation to take when you arrive at your final destination. Instructions can also be found in your Job Placement Information.

3. If you arrive in the U.S. late in the evening and there is no airport pick up, it is advisable to stay overnight at a nearby hotel then proceed the next day to your housing / employer.

4. If there are delays in your flights, inform your Sponsor and Employer especially if they have arranged AIRPORT PICK-UP.

VI. REPORTING TO YOUR PROGRAM SPONSOR AND EMPLOYER:

1. Call up your Program Sponsor and employer to report your arrival in the U.S. within 24 hours after you have arrived in the U.S. There is a CHECK-IN / SEVIS REGISTER requirement wherein you need to report your arrival to your PROGRAM SPONSOR so they can activate your SEVIS and HEALTH INSURANCE. Instructions on how to check in / register your SEVIS is included in

documents given to you together with your DS-2019. Some sponsors email students directly for this instruction. Failure to CHECK-IN on time will result in the CANCELLATION OF YOUR SEVIS AND PROGRAM AND YOU WILL BE SENT HOME.

NOTE 1: If you fail to CHECK IN and register with SEVIS, your Program Sponsor will automatically cancel you and their decision is final. Some Sponsors require the completion of ONLINE ORIENTATION prior to departure to the US. Instructions will be emailed to you either by sponsors or by FPI. NOTE 2: Health Insurance information can be found in your Sponsors online account, or included in your DS-2019 packet, or emailed to you by sponsors. Be reminded that existing illnesses are not covered by your Health Insurance. Take note that it is very EXPENSIVE to get sick especially in the US. Review your insurance coverage carefully and know your benefits.

2. Inform your FAMILY and E MAIL FPI at inquiry@firstplaceinc.org when you arrive in the U.S. 3. YOU WILL BE ASSIGNED an FPI PROGRAM COUNSELOR who will MONITOR YOU while you are in

the program.

VII. WHILE IN THE PROGRAM:

1. The Department of State requires that PROGRAM SPONSORS do MONTHLY MONITORING OF THE STUDENTS. These instructions will be emailed to you by your Program Sponsor to complete. Failure to do this will automatically cancel your SEVIS AND YOUR PROGRAM. YOU WILL BE SENT HOME WITHIN ONE WEEK.

2. In addition to the Sponsors monitoring, FIRST PLACE will also require you to complete a MONTHLY SURVEY via SURVEY MONKEY. You will receive an email from your FPI PROGRAM COUNSELOR for instructions.

3. If you have concerns regarding the program, follow our COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL found in the signed FPI Terms and Conditions. DO NOT USE SOCIAL MEDIA (facebook, twitter, instagram, etc) to express your CONCERNS because that will not solve your problems and may even aggravate them. A more professional way to handle program related issues is to discuss it with your employer, sponsor or with FPI.

VIII. SOME HELPFUL WEBSITE LINKS: www.greyhound.com www.amtrak.com www.mapquest.com www.timeanddate.com ( time zone converter) www.craiglist.com (for housing search) www.maps.google.com www.expedia.com (for low hotel rates) www.weather.com/outlook/weatherbystate www.unitconverter.net

HAVE A SAFE TRIP AND A SUCCESSFUL WAT PROGRAM IN THE U.S.

GOOD LUCK ! !

mailto:inquiry@firstplaceinc.orghttp://www.greyhound.com/http://www.amtrak.com/http://www.mapquest.com/http://www.timeanddate.com/http://www.craiglist.com/http://www.maps.google.com/http://www.expedia.com/http://www.weather.com/outlook/weatherbystatehttp://www.unitconverter.net/