In general, many questions arose. And for clarifications, we decided to turn to Alexander Yablonsky, general director of the company «STI-Ukraine». The fact is that «STI-Ukraine» started its work in this area back in 2000, thus becoming pioneers in the difficult task of travel for our restless youth.
Repeating the past
So, for all those interested: the Work & Travel program has existed for 30 years. Its main goal is cultural exchange, getting to know the country and its inhabitants, mutual enrichment, «expanding consciousness». Four months of work (as a rule, in the service sector) plus a month of traveling around America - and you will see another world. Yes, you can earn money, but it is not an end in itself. That is why the Work & Travel program is intended only for students - as the most progressive part of youth. All the «pioneers» of Work & Travel returned home to Ukraine. Because the path of an illegal is a road to nowhere! Sooner or later, illegal presence ends with deportation from the country, and then it is extremely difficult to get to the West in a civilized way.
«I would like to draw attention to the fact that Work & Travel is a program of intergovernmental exchanges Cultural Exchange Programs, which is supervised directly by the US State Department, - says Alexander Yablonsky. - Accordingly, there are quite high requirements for the selection procedure of all participating organizations. The American sponsor company, which provides all support for our student on the other side of the ocean, guarantees qualified assistance in selecting a workplace and the integrity of the employer, guaranteeing payment for work. The American side also provides assistance in selecting accommodation and informational support. For its part, the Ukrainian partner company guarantees the seriousness and responsibility of our students, their clear understanding of why and for how long they are going to the USA. Participants must realize that this program is intended primarily for getting to know the country, and not for earning «crazy» money.
Under Work & Travel, about 250 thousand students from all over the world come to America every year. In Ukraine, we were among the first to offer this program. And in the summer of 2001, with our help, as many as... six Ukrainians went to America. In 2002, there were several dozen, and this summer we plan to at least double the number of Ukrainian participants in the program. Every year, the interest of our guys in this program grows. I am very pleased that students from Chernigov, Zaporozhye, Odessa, Cherkassy, Lugansk are calling and coming. From Sumy, for example, about 20 people are planning to go. By the way, this year we felt for the first time a shortage of our own qualified human resources: there are many questions, but sometimes there is no one to answer sensibly - everyone is busy.
The attitude of the American embassy towards Ukrainian program participants has also changed. If in 2001 there were up to 50% visa refusals after the first interview, then last summer this figure dropped to 30%. In the new year, I am sure, the percentage of refusals will become even lower. We devote a lot of time to preparing the guys for the interview, and in case of refusal we always say: «We are filing an appeal!» And, as a rule, the result is positive.»
Setting off on a long journey...
It's no secret that many are willing to go to America like a pig in a poke - they say, I'll figure it out on the spot. But in vain - having gone like that, you can come back «as a stuffed animal or a carcass». What should those who have decided to become a participant in this program for the first time pay attention to anyway?
«I would advise using the services of some well-known organization offering the Work & Travel program for the first time, - continues Alexander Yablonsky. - Yes, enterprising Russian students can create a resume on their own, send it out, and conduct active correspondence with American employers. But our guys often cannot even compose a resume in their native language. And as for independently searching for an employer in the West... Therefore, the first time you go with everything ready: they select a workplace for you, organize a meeting, help you settle in. Next year, if you are lucky, you can try to go on your own.
And it is also important not to perceive the Work & Travel program as just a random «jump to America». The fact is that for a long time there has been a kind of global village of students and youth in the world. Since 2000, «STI-Ukraine» has been representing ISTC - International Student Travel Confederation in Ukraine. We set ourselves the goal: to organize the entire process of youth travel, including the international ISIC discount card, discounted air tickets, education, travel and insurance programs for traveling youth. Time has passed, we have followers. And this means that, firstly, we are doing what is needed here and now, and, secondly, we are doing it well!
What else should you pay attention to? Sometimes I am asked: «What if my language is in the passive?» I answer: learn and strive to make it «in the active». Without confident knowledge of English, I would not advise going. The fact is that this program does not involve any study. No one will teach you English or life - there, on the spot, you will have to communicate with others, work and earn a living, food, and «small joys of life».
It is also worth drawing the guys' attention to the need for some amount of money for the first time - until the first salary. As a rule, you will receive your first earned money in about two weeks. A pack of cigarettes costs $5, a can of beer - $2. Well, and so on. In addition, there is such a thing as a housing deposit - that is, upon moving in, you must pay a certain amount. Moreover, the longer you plan to live in this place, the larger the amount you will have to pay. Therefore, it is better to check in for a week and then extend your stay.
Now a few words about travel. As a rule, over three or four months our students manage to get to know each other, and so when the moment of “conquering America” arrives, they already have their own company. They chip in to buy a jalopy for about $300 and set off to drive around the States. Our driver's licenses are valid, and some manage to get international licenses as well. In general, it is better to plan the trip while still at home. As a rule, after receiving a job offer, I bring our student to a large map of America (it hangs on the wall in our office), show him where he will work, and then the young man looks at what is nearby, what places there are, and where he would best head from there”.
The Sufferings of a Modern Vanka Zhukov
Is everything so clear and cloudless on the American horizon for our students? Well, how to put it... There are clouds, too. But a person's maturity and independence are defined by the fact that they take unpleasant surprises calmly and thoughtfully. The same cannot always be said of certain delicate creatures.
One sufferer got a job as a cleaner in a small but busy American restaurant. At the height of the season there was plenty of work: clean, wipe, serve, bring... The owner was strict but fair: he paid bonuses for quick work and mercilessly fined people for smoking breaks. But overall everyone was satisfied. Everyone except one. After three weeks of “this hard labor,” he called Kyiv and... asked to go home. So to speak, “dear grandfather, take me away from here”...
According to Alexander Yablonsky, “maturity, independence, and responsibility are what you cannot take a step without in America. A person going far from their homeland and from mom and dad must have the courage to make adult decisions and be prepared for various life situations.” “I always ask the kids to take care of their parents' nerves,” he explains, “because they worry a lot about their child. So, dear children, call your loved ones on time!”
It is good if the symptoms of alarming situations appear while still at home. It is worse when the problem arises there, across the ocean. Sometimes it is even difficult for employees of Ukrainian firms to guess where a problem might arise. For example, almost all participants of the Work & Travel program look forward to future trips with delight. Although... One future participant stunned everyone with an unexpected question: “Okay, the work part is clear. But where am I supposed to travel afterwards?” The girl was offered a brochure from an American travel agency offering tours around America specifically for such Work & Travel participants, and they explained that on the spot she would have much more opportunities and time to decide where and with whom to go traveling. To which she ingenuously remarked: “And I thought you provided all that...”
Conclusion (Small but Optimistic)
“I always explain to the guys: understand, this is a qualitatively new turn in your life, you will see a different world and will be able to compare it with your world,” says Alexander Yablonsky. “Having returned, the guys feel themselves ‘like a big fish in a small tank’. What they see there, across the ocean, does not necessarily have to be better or worse than at home - it is simply something different. And if you want to change something in your country, you must first see the surrounding world.”
In general, get ready, Uncle Sam: Ukrainian students are already packing their backpacks. The experience of past trips shows that energetic, original-thinking, extraordinary guys go. So there will be work and there will be travel!