About the USA

 

The USA, it’s the home of apple pie, blue jeans and baseball. This super power boasts a population of 290 million and a diversity of culture like no other. Whether it’s the cosmopolitan chic of New York, the warm hospitality of the Deep South or the glitz and glamour of the west coast; America has it all!

 

America’s climate and landscape are as varied as its people with weather that gets hotter as you go south and seasonally more extreme as you head north and inland. America stretches over 3.7 million square miles and provides some of the most breath-taking natural scenery such as the Rocky Mountains that cut across America’s northwest, the Great Lakes in the northeast and of course the Grand Canyon.

 

With an abundance of choice and unlimited experiences available, the USA is truly the land of opportunity.

 

Programs Available All-Inclusive Professional Internship Program Paid Hospitality Internships Work & Travel Program Au Pair

Click on the PDF icon to download program details

 

All-Inclusive Professional Internships

 

Full-time summer, and spring internship programs for university and TAFE students in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego and Washington D.C. All the positions are unpaid. Internships within Hospitality and Tourism are also unpaid and involve admin tasks. This is a great program for students who want to make a first step into the working world while experiencing the American way of life!

This Internship Programs is focused on the student’s professional development and is available in the following fields:

 

Accounting Advertising Casting Event Planning Fashion Film Finance Hospitality & Tourism

Interior Design Legal Marketing Music Non-Profit Photography Public Relations Publishing

Radio Broadcasting Real Estate Sports Technology Television Theatre/Arts

 

Non available fields: Engineering, Science, Medicine and Veterinary.

 

What's Included

• A Guaranteed Internship in the industry of choice and a company that candidates approve
• Housing at Host Universities (only option available for accommodation)
• Breakfast and Dinner at campus dining hall (all program offer breakfast except for NY City)
• Six planned organized weekend activities
• Career seminars via a weekly Speaker Series
• A professionally revised resume
• Expert interview coaching
• Professional staff assistance
• Welcome dinner
• Orientation
• Graduation event
• Program book
• Welcome gifts
• Visa Sponsorship (J1 Visa candidates only)
• Academic Credit
• 24-hour assistance line

 

Accommodation

• Students Residential only
• Provided at University Campuses
• Two beds per room
• Typical Room Set-Up: Bathroom, Bed, desk, chair, lamp, wardrobe and internet facilities

 

Application Requirements

• Being between 18 to 26 – at time of participation
• University students – enrolled in a course of at least 3 years duration, like Bachelors or Masters (at least one year of academic study in the chosen field)
• CV and Cover Letter
• A portfolio (for students in creative fields, like Design, Fashion, Photography, etc.)
• Completed and signed application form
• Academic information – academic transcripts and supporting letter from the university
• For graduates – Copy of the diploma and academic transcripts
• VISA - Medical Checks and Police Records

Lead Time: 3 months

 

Fees*

Application Fee: AU$750

+

Program Fee:

 

2010 Winter Internship Program (ALL-INCLUSIVE*)

Program	Dates	Price
Boston	June 13 - August 7	US$7,999
Chicago	June 13 - August 7	US$6,999
Las Vegas	June 13 - August 7	US$6,999
Los Angeles Session 1	June 6 - July 31	US$7,999
Los Angeles Session 2	June 20 - August 14	US$7,999
New York Session 1	May 23 - July 17	US$7,999
New York Session 2	May 30 - July 24	US$7,999
New York Session 3	June 6 - July 31	US$7,999
San Diego	May 30 - July 24	US$6,999
San Francisco	June 6 - July 31	US$6,999
Washington DC	June 6 - July 31	US$7,999

 

*Programs include: internship placement, housing, weekend activities, meals, transportation, career seminars, resume revision, interview coaching and more. Some amenities vary by location.

 

2010-11 Summer Internship Program (PLACEMENT ONLY**)

Program	Dates	Price
New York***	November 27, 2010 - February 19, 2011	US$1,500
Los Angeles***	November 27, 2010 - February 19, 2011	US$1,500

** Programs include and internship placement. Accommodation will have to be arranged by the applicants themselves.

*** Note that there will be an internship break during the program to account for the U.S. Christmas Holiday vacation period. The time off will vary depending on the internship company, but could be between 5 and 15 working days.

 

 

*Please note that payments in different currencies will be charged in Australian dollars according to the exchange rate of the day. You can check the accurate conversion rates at the time of payment at www.xe.com/ucc. Please also note that an international transfer fee of AUD$35 will apply.

Paid Hospitality Internships

 

The Hospitality Program is a paid program that allows young professionals in the Hospitality Industry the opportunity to gain experience in well-known hotel properties throughout America. The fields of training vary from property to property. All Hospitality internships are award wage based professional training positions. Previous experience and/or academic study within hospitality is a must for this program.
The fields on offer are: Front Office Food and Beverage House Keeping Kitchen Concierge Portering Chef Positions Candidates should expect to work 35-40 hours per week. Although overtime is available it is not guaranteed.		ATTENTION - RECRUITING NOW!: We are currently recruiting for various properties in Miami, Washington, Utah, and Pennsylvania: 1) St Regis: Food & Beverage; 6 months 2) Marriott Lancaster: Housekeeping; 6 months 3) Sofitel: Housekeeping, Front Office, Kitchen; 12 months 4) Park Hyatt: Food & Beverage; 12 months   If you are interested in participating in the program then register your interest here

 

Australians Abroad in conjunction with our US partners have formalized agreements with the leading hotels and resorts, including, but not exclusive to:

Ritz-Carlton, Mariott, Wyndham, Hilton, Sheraton, Four Seasons, Hyatt Group and Accor Group.

 

Popular Destinations:

California, Colorado, Texas, Florida, etc.

 

Length:

6 or 12 months

 

 

Lead Time:

4 months

 

 

Includes

• Paid placement in the Hospitality field
• Counselling and Advice on the program
• Visa Application Assistance
• Pre-departure Orientation
• Program monitoring for duration of the program
• 24/7 Emergency Assistance

 

Does not Include

• Visa Fee
• Flights and other transport
• Accommodation and Meals
• Other living and personal expenses
• Site visit validation fees for Host Company (if required)
• Interview Fees
• DS-2019 Replacement Fees
• Other fees and charges levied by the US Government Departments

 

Application Requirements

• Between the ages of 20-30
• Currently enrolled students of Hospitality; OR
• Recent graduates in Hospitality (within 12 months of graduation); OR
• Graduate with 1 year professional experience; OR
• 5 years of professional experience in Hospitality
• Must not have held a J-1 visa prior
• All candidates must have completed or be pursuing a degree/certificate/diploma in Hospitality

 

Program Fees

• Application Fee: AU$750
• Placement Fee:
  • 6 months: US$2,150
  • 12 months: US$2,850

Payment in installments is possible.

 

*Please note that payments in different currencies will be charged in Australian dollars according to the exchange rate of the day. You can check the accurate conversion rates at the time of payment at www.xe.com/ucc. Please also note that an international transfer fee of AUD$35 will apply.

 

 

Work and Travel

 

Program Description: Through a special pilot program, students from Australia and New Zealand are eligible to live and work in the USA for up to 12 months! This is a fantastic opportunity for current college student or recent graduate to explore the beautiful coasts, cities and mountains of America while earning money to cover living and travel expenses. The program offers two ways to participate in the Work Travel program; candidates can choose a summer job from our current internship list (Premium Program), or find their own job, and have it confirmed for them (Independent Program).

 

Premium Work Travel Program

 

The Premium Work Travel Program is designed to make it easier for candidates to connect with host companies who are seeking International staff. The Australians Abroad team works closely with candidates and the host companies to ensure that job placements offer candidates the full benefit of our program.

 

What's Included in the Work Travel Program?

• Job placement opportunities
• Assistance with housing
• DS-2019 form (Certificate of Eligibility)
• Up to 18 weeks of health insurance coverage
• Participant handbook
• Work Travel participant ID card
• Orientation
• 24-hour support and emergency assistance
• The option for an additional month of health insurance for $75

 

Independent Work Travel Program

 

Currently not available.

 

Au Pair Program

 

"Au pair" means "on par" or equal. Au pairs become an “on par” member of an American family, sharing a cultural exchange experience. The au pair's work hours and responsibilities vary greatly depending on the family's child care needs and schedule. The au pair may provide personalized child care up to 45 hours per week, up to 10 hours per day. The Au Pair program is a great way of immersing oneself into the American way of life.   The au pair's duties may include child care and light child care related housekeeping such as:
Supervising and playing with the host family’s children. Awakening the children, getting them ready for school. Preparing meals for host family’s children. Playing games, doing art projects. Bathing, changing and dressing host family’s children. Putting children to bed and being on watch while children are sleeping. Driving children to school and appointments Straightening children's rooms and picking up after children. Doing children's laundry.		Please click here to read the testimonial of a previous program participant.

 

In exchange the au pair recieves

• A weekly stipend of US$157.95 (Regular Au Pair) or US$200 (Au Pair Professional). However, all applicants must be prepared to accept US$157.95 (Note: Effective July 23, 2009, all Au Pairs will receive a higher stipend in the amount of $195.75 per week/$10,179.00 per year.)
• An education stipend of up to US$500
• Room and board
• Training
• Monthly meetings
• Supervision
• The opportunity to experience American language, life and culture.
• The weekly stipend is normally tax free.
• The total value received from the program is $16,000 to $19,000 when accounting for the value of everything that is provided to the au pair during the program.

Length:

one year

Lead Time:

3 months

 

Eligibility Requirements for Au Pair Applicants

 

The Au Pair program is open to candidates residing in the territory who meet the following admission criteria:

• Are between 18 and 26 years old
• Have at least 100 hours of documented childcare experience (200 hours of documented experience with children under the age of two in order to be placed with a family who has a child under the age of two)
• Have graduated from secondary school or its equivalent
• Are in excellent physical and mental health
• Agree not to smoke cigarettes
• Submit a clear and smiling profile photo (au pairs with poor photos will not be accepted until a suitable profile photo is received)
• Have passed the psychometric test
• Have provided two childcare references and one personal reference verified by Australian Internships
• Have provided a criminal background check or its recognized equivalent Be eager to match and seriously consider all match offers (au pairs will not be allowed to receive more than 3 host family match offers)
• Have been personally interviewed by Australians Abroad
• Must have an international driver’s license if they are not under-two qualified
• Sign 2010 Au Pair Agreement
• Have completed the Physician’s Verified Medical History form
• Agree to follow the program rules and the US Department of State Regulations
• Agree to pay a fee to participate in the program
• Are mature, flexible, reliable and adaptable

 

Program Content

 

The Au Pair program includes

• Placement with an American host family, who agrees to abide by the Au Pair program guidelines and the US Department of State Regulations
• DS-2019 documents required to apply for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
• Au Pair pre-departure orientation materials
• Round-trip international airfare from predetermined departure city in home country to New Jersey (au pairs may be required to pay a return air surcharge if they change their departure city due to travel post Au Pair program).
• Domestic airfare from New Jersey to host community
• An arrival orientation and training program in New Jersey upon arrival in the U.S.A.
• Full board and lodging provided by the host family, including a private bedroom
• Weekly stipend paid to the au pair by the host family at a rate determined by US Department of State. (Currently $195.75 per week.)
• A local orientation within two weeks of au pair’s arrival in the host community conducted by an Au Pair Program Provider staff member
• Support of a local Au Pair Program Provider staff member for the duration of the program
• Tuition allowance up to US$500 paid by host family to the au pair during the program
• Comprehensive medical and accident insurance coverage for the duration of the program

 

The Au Pair program does not include

• All personal expenses including telephone calls, vacation travel, clothing
• Tuition fees exceeding the $500 education allowance provided by the host family
• Cost of any independent travel
• Cost of immunizations received after arrival in the U.S.A.
• Optional insurance coverage for 13th month of au pair's program year

 

Most American families will require licensed drivers; AI advises candidates to try to get their driver’s license before applying.

 

Most of the host families have more than one child. Therefore an au pair who only wants to care for one child only is more difficult to place. The more flexible the au pair is, the easier it will be to find a family.

 

Male au pairs will be accepted however very few families choose male au pairs and therefore, these applications could take longer.

 

Health Insurance will be provided by the families; however AI advises candidates to get travel insurance through the airlines to cover lost luggage.

 

Au Pair Cancellations

Prior to Arrival in the U.S. - In the event an au pair cancels from the program after matching with a family but prior to arrival at the host family home, a $300.00 USD cancellation fee will be charged. If the international airline ticket has been purchased, the au pair will be responsible to pay the actual airfare costs in addition to the $300.00 USD cancellation fee.

 

 

Program Fees*

• US$350

 

*Please note that payments in different currencies will be charged in Australian dollars according to the exchange rate of the day. You can check the accurate conversion rates at the time of payment at www.xe.com/ucc. Please also note that an international transfer fee of AUD$35 will apply.

Coming Soon

 

You will find new program information here soon.