Among international programs for students, Work & Travel USA has remained the most popular for several years now. In our country, people first heard about this program in 1989, and, according to experts, it is currently the only one that offers a good opportunity to earn money. "Most agencies working with Work & Travel accept documents from September to March," said Katerina Kuznetsova, a development manager at a travel company. "The program is designed for students aged 18 to 28 who, under contract, go to work in the States for the entire summer. Participation in the program requires an intermediate level of English proficiency and full-time student status."
But before starting to earn, a student will have to spend a considerable amount: the trip will cost on average $2,000-2,500. However, it is always possible to save money: for example, entrusting the job search not to an agency but finding it yourself. But it is clear that for a person planning to work abroad for the first time, this is difficult to do. Agencies, on the other hand, offer a whole list of various vacancies, but one should not get too carried away: it's unlikely that anyone will offer a student a managerial position, but many end up behind bar counters and recoup their costs quite well. Those wishing to work as waiters, lifeguards, loaders, salespeople, and ticket takers will easily find a place under the hot American sun.
Of course, the program also has downsides. For example, a domestic guest worker may be offered work not five days a week, as was stated, but two. Payment is mostly hourly. There are cases when work is refused altogether. This is usually explained by weather conditions, the vacancy being filled, and many other reasons. "I went to America in 2007," said student Alexander Bogdanov. "Upon arrival, it turned out that there was work, but only two days a week. Naturally, the money I brought ran out quickly. I contacted the American center, whose phone number I was given back home, but they were not ready to resolve the issue promptly, so I had to go looking on my own."
However, such scenarios are discussed in agencies, and students are explained in detail how to behave in such situations.
Colosseum, Ferrari, Pizza
Italy is another country that gives our students a chance to spend their summer vacations usefully. This opportunity arose as part of a program for the development of Italy's hotel and restaurant business, and naturally, students' work is in this field. The average cost of the program is €800. Additionally, airfare and uniform are paid for. Regarding visa acquisition, according to agency representatives, refusals by the Italian embassy are extremely rare and are mainly due to the candidate not meeting requirements. Agencies typically offer positions such as maid, gardener, assistant cook, waiter, or bartender. And although you cannot change employers, you can always negotiate a transfer to another vacancy.
Unlike the American counterpart, it is unlikely to earn money under this program. Moreover, students do not always recoup their expenses, but they gain invaluable experience. There is no salary as such – participants receive pocket money: on average €220-440 per month, which is quite good considering that the host covers food and accommodation. Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate of internship.
Long White Cloud
That is what the indigenous people call New Zealand. This is another country that offers internships to our compatriots. The Internship New Zealand program offers our students the opportunity to get acquainted with the natural beauty of one of the most remote places from our country, with business methods, and to gain professional experience.
The program, like the previous one, is designed for students or graduate students, but unlike Italy, only for full-time students. Another feature is that the host requires permission and recommendations from the department for the internship. Which is not surprising: the program lasts 6-12 months, and it cannot be done without taking a break from studies.
Agencies usually handle visa procurement themselves, but refusals are not uncommon. The embassy may summon certain participants for an interview. Based on the results, a decision is made to grant or refuse a visa. "Refusals happen quite often," says Konstantin Rogovtsov, director of a travel company. "The program is not mass-market, so it's difficult to keep statistics. But just in case, we recommend students to insure against non-departure. After all, if a participant is insured, in case of refusal, they get all their money back except for consular fees. If there is no insurance, they could lose $250-380, while the cost of the tour is about $2,800."
To go to New Zealand, in addition to the standard set of documents, it is necessary to provide a reference and recommendation from the department, the university's curriculum indicating that the internship under the program is part of the educational process, copies of all pages of the grade book, and a bank statement with a minimum amount of $2,000.
Another point that is fundamental for this program is work in one's field. This means that an internship can only be done in the specialty that the student is studying.
The plus of the program is that the employer undertakes to provide housing and meals, and, as representatives of various agencies assure, in internship programs there have been no cases of non-fulfillment of obligations by the companies where students work. 'Under such programs, a person cannot work for a salary,' warns Konstantin Rogovtsov. 'And tips are also not entirely correct. Payments are limited to a stipend. But I think that if someone somewhere gave tips, they did not return that money to anyone.' The level of 'stipend,' depending on the specialty, starts from $6 per hour. The minimum working time is 25 hours per week, but participants usually work 35-40 hours.
Do a good deed
However, it happens that students go abroad not for the purpose of earning money and not even for an internship, but out of kindness of heart. We are talking about a volunteer program. The first volunteer movement was organized in 1920. With the efforts of German and French youth, farms destroyed during the First World War in France were restored. Since then, the movement has gained strength and become increasingly popular.
The work of volunteers is under the patronage of non-profit social structures and is aimed at peacemaking, intercultural communication, and environmental protection.
England, Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Morocco, Italy, Japan, Vietnam, and Mexico – this is an incomplete list of countries that are waiting for volunteers. This program is considered the cheapest, but also unpaid. The list of necessary documents for participation differs radically from the list in the programs already described: anyone aged 18 to 30 can become a volunteer, and notably, they do not have to be a student at all. The only requirement is a basic knowledge of the language of the destination country. The cost of the program is $150-250 for registration in the project, travel to the country chosen by the participant is paid separately. The cost does not include visa fees and insurance. Agencies provide lists of countries with corresponding work programs. The volunteer also determines the route to the chosen location independently.
The work provided is very diverse. For example, in Italy, restoration of tourist trails in a national park is required; in Japan, organizing an anti-war action in Hiroshima and apple picking; in England, organizing leisure activities for children with physical disabilities; in Turkey, teaching children English; in France, restoring a stone pedestrian road; in Spain, restoring a medieval mill; in the Czech Republic, working in a zoo; in Vietnam, cultivating rice fields.
'I have been lucky enough to be a volunteer abroad several times,' writes Svetlana Ryabokon on an internet forum. 'I volunteered in Belgium, Estonia, and most recently in Japan. My first project was near Osaka and was environmental in nature. We lived in a small cottage in the mountains. Every day at about 8 a.m., local residents came for us, and we went to learn how to take care of nature. I say learn because they didn't overload us with work. The Japanese, due to their upbringing, took great care that we didn't get tired.'
You can sign up for the program year-round. However, there is a special rush in April-March, when you can sign up for the summer period.