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Hurricane Irene Approaches U.S. East Coast

As Hurricane Irene makes its way to the east coast, CIEE wants to provide some useful information on what to do if your community is affected. We will continue to post updates to the CIEE website and provide email updates and news that will be helpful to you. You can also call CIEE at 1-888-268-6245 at any time if you have questions about the storm. Please see below for helpful safety tips in preparation for the storm’s arrival:


  • Stay informed. Watch local news for storm updates. If Hurricane Irene is a serious threat to your community, evacuation instructions will be provided on the local news networks. You may also view updates on Hurricane Irene on the National Weather Service website.
  • The American Red Cross may arrive in your community if the hurricane does happen. They are an excellent emergency response organization and we ask you to look at their website to learn their latest news on the storm: http://www.redcross.org/.
  • Local authorities or the Red Cross may organize storm shelters for your safety. These shelters are excellent places to go, even if you only have questions. If there is a shelter available and the hurricane will be in your area, CIEE strongly advises you to go there for your safety.
  • Please know the police and fire departments are friendly and they will help you in an emergency situation.
  • Prepare yourself. CIEE encourages you to read more about hurricanes on the National Weather Service and the Red Cross websites. They offer excellent ideas for how to safely prepare for a hurricane storm.
  • Ask your employer if Hurricane Irene will affect your town if you’re not sure. Your employer may have experienced these storms in the past and will be able to tell you what to expect and what to do.

In the event that you must move to a temporary shelter, and if you have access to email or a telephone, please let us know where you are and that you are safe. If necessary, we will notify your CIEE agent in your home country so that they can notify your parents. You can email us at contact@ciee.org or call us, toll-free, at 1-888-268-6245.

Interview for a Position

At some point during this process, you will find a company that wants to talk to you in person. Whether this takes the form of a telephone conversation, a webcam interview, or an in-person meeting, being prepared is the most important thing you can do in order to succeed.

Interview Tips:

  • Before the interview, research the company’s products, services, and activities, and review their website to get a good understanding of their business.
  • For an in-person or webcam interview, dress appropriately. Many companies will expect you to wear a suit, although some businesses are less formal. If in doubt, wear a suit.
  • Be on time—plan to arrive/be ready at least 20 minutes early to make sure you are not late.
  • Be prepared to tell them why training in the U.S. will help you meet your long-term career goals.
  • Ask informed questions—it’s a good idea to think of questions beforehand. Asking questions will show that you are interested and serious about the opportunity.
  • Remember to mention that you will be applying for a J-1 Visa, that CIEE will be your legal sponsor, and that the company will not need to provide you with work authorization or health insurance.
  • At the end of the interview, ask the employer when you should expect to hear from them about the position.

Post-Interview Follow Up

  • Say thank you! Sending a thank you letter via email is an important step in the interviewing process, and an excellent way to reinforce your interest in the position.
  • If you don’t hear from the employer within the timeframe you expected, politely make contact with them again to check on the status and to remind them of your interest in their company.

Accepting a Position

Once you’ve accepted a position, you will need to create a DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan as part of your program application. To read more information about this process, please visit our Applicant Resources section.

Enter the WYSE Work Abroad Video Contest and you could win US$2,000!

As a member of WYSE Work Abroad, CIEE encourages you to showcase your creative talents by joining WYSE Work Abroad’s “Expand Your Horizons” Video Contest. Submit a 2-3 minute video about your work abroad, volunteer, work and travel, or internship experience, and you could win US $2,000!

Find out more about this exciting contest by visiting the contest microblog site: http://wyseworkabroad.tumblr.com

The 2011 contest is now closed. Check back in April 2012 for details of the 2012 contest!

Be sure to notify WYSE Work Abroad that you’ve entered the contest by emailing them your name and the title of your video. You must also indicate that you are a CIEE Work & Travel USA participant.

If you have questions, please visit the WYSE Work Abroad website or email them at mailbox@wyseworkabroad.org.