Is BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel Right for Your Business? A 10-Question Decision Guide

Could a proven seasonal workforce solution – connecting U.S. employers with global college students – be the answer to your staffing needs? 

It’s called BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel, and it’s available to seasonal employers all across the country. 

BridgeUSA is a U.S. Department of State-managed cultural exchange initiative that allows people – mainly students and young adults – to come to America to work, live, and travel. And Summer Work Travel is the largest of over a dozen BridgeUSA categories, a program geared toward international college students who can spend up to 4 months in the United States, working a seasonal job, living in the area, and traveling around the country during their down time. 

In addition, while the program is called Summer Work Travel, it can be used by business owners who have peak seasons in the winter or spring. (However, summer typically sees the highest volume.) 

It works for thousands of large and small American businesses each year. It supports local economies and generates $1.2 billion into the national economy – at no taxpayer expense.  So, could Summer Work Travel be right for your business? 

10 Questions to Help You Decide 

Choosing to host international students can be a smart staffing solution for many seasonal businesses. Asking the right questions can help you determine whether BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel is a good fit for you. 

CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange – the longest-running and most experienced J-1 visa sponsor – has connected U.S. seasonal employers with international students for decades. Here, we’re sharing 10 key questions to help you decide if this seasonal workforce solution is the right fit for your business. 

1. Do you struggle to hire enough staff during peak seasons? 

If your area sees seasonal population spikes, local talent alone might not cover your staffing needs. 

Not having enough people filling out applications can impact your bottom line. You may not be able to start operations at your ideal time or keep it staffed as long as you’d like to. (For example, students from countries like Bulgaria, Colombia, and Ukraine are eligible to start summer work in early May, while participants from countries like Croatia, Portugal, and Spain might be able to stay as late as mid-October – extending your operational season by an average of 45 days.) 

BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel gives you access to a hiring platform filled with thousands of students who want to work at businesses like yours during your peak season. It’s an opportunity to get the team members you need, when you need them. 

2. Are you looking for reliable, short-term staff for roles like hospitality, retail, or recreation? 

Summer Work Travel serves employers who need short-term roles. It’s a perfect option for business owners who run a popular boardwalk shop or ski gear store. 

These international participants are reliable and motivated, as well. Because they fund their own way to the U.S. for your job, they take compliance seriously so that they can maximize their time here. 

Employers who take advantage of the BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel program hire for short-term positions like: 

• Hotel clerks and guest services attendants 
• Ski resort positions such as snowmakers, lift operators, and ski instructors 
• Housekeepers, laundry room attendants, resort workers 
• Restaurant servers, bussers, and food runners 
• Café baristas and ice cream shop associates 
• Retail sales associates and souvenir shop cashiers 
• Bike shop attendants and rental desk staff 
• Beach shop employees and surf or water-sports rental associates 
• Amusement park ride operators and attraction attendants 
• Marina dockhands and boat or kayak rental staff 

Plus, there are many more positions that aren’t listed here. You and your sponsor can talk about the roles you’d like to make available to BridgeUSA participants. 

3. Can you provide structured onboarding and supervision? 

If you have an onboarding program in place that you administer year after year, you’re already in a good place. 

Keep in mind that your participants are arriving from many countries and backgrounds. They may be used to different ways of greeting customers or levels of service, so it’s important to be specific about what you’d like to see from them.  

Your sponsor can give you resources and let you know what’s worked well for other businesses. 

4. Are you ready to welcome global talent to your team? 

BridgeUSA participants arrive with a verified level of English proficiency, ensuring they’re prepared to communicate effectively in the workplace – even in customer-facing roles. Many employers find that working with international team members enhances service, teamwork, and workplace culture. 

At its core, BridgeUSA is about cultural exchange. Hosting international participants offers your team the opportunity to share perspectives, learn new approaches, and bring fresh energy into your organization. Employers who thrive in the program are those who embrace inclusion, set clear expectations, and enjoy mentoring young professionals from around the world.  

With a bit of guidance and openness, international participants quickly become valuable, engaged members of your team. 

5. How can you help participants settle into your community? 

Employers play an important role in helping international participants feel welcomed and supported in their new environment. Some employers choose to offer housing and/or transportation options, while others partner with sponsors and local resources to help participants make these arrangements. 

If you provide housing or transportation, your job offer will clearly outline all details – including costs, payroll deductions (if any), and whether these benefits are part of the overall compensation package – in accordance with federal regulations. 

If you’re unable to provide housing or transportation, you’re not alone. Many employers collaborate with their program sponsor, connect with other local J-1 employers, or work with Chambers of Commerce and visitor centers to identify trusted housing and transportation options. These partnerships often strengthen community ties and make the hosting experience smoother for everyone involved. 

6. Can you commit to a hiring timeline that gives you an advantage? 

One of the key benefits of the BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel program is the ability to plan ahead and secure staffing earlier than traditional hiring allows. If you’re able to prepare in advance of your busy season, hosting international participants can give you a strong head start. 

By partnering with a trusted BridgeUSA visa sponsor like CIEE, you gain access to a proven hiring timeline backed by decades of experience. CIEE helps employers recruit motivated, pre-screened candidates months before local hiring typically begins – so your team is ready when demand peaks. 

Starting early also gives participants the time they need to complete visa processing and travel arrangements, ensuring a smooth arrival aligned with your operational needs. And while we recommend best-practice timelines, CIEE works with employers year-round to explore options for short-term staffing for seasonal businesses. 

7. Do you have resources (or a sponsor) to help participants settle in? 

Or, more likely, would you know where to turn to find the information you need? 

If you’re in a popular tourist area, you may know of a nearby business that’s involved with the BridgeUSA program. They can give you an idea of how to get started with your own internal program, as well as what’s worked – and hasn’t worked – for them. 

But to move forward, you’ll need to work with a J-1 BridgeUSA visa sponsor. Enter an organization like CIEE. 

As soon as you connect with CIEE, you have a partner in the entire BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel process. Support is available to you from that first phone call through the end of your season. Plus, because CIEE is committed to Gold Standard Service, team members are available 24/7 to help both employers and participants. 

As the original J-1 BridgeUSA visa sponsor designated by the U.S. Department of State, CIEE has helped shape Summer Work Travel since its inception. And it means no one knows the process better than the sponsor that’s done it since 1969.  

8. Are you ready to comply with wage, work hours, and safety standards? 

Because BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel is overseen by the State Department, there are rules in place to ensure that international participants are not taken advantage of. 

And by working side by side with CIEE, a nonprofit sponsor organization, you’ll gain a stronger understanding of exactly what’s required of you. 

For example, the Code of Federal Regulations states: 

• Wages: Participant pay must be similar to that offered to their U.S. counterparts and/or meet federal, state, or local minimum wages.  
• Work hours: Participants should be provided with the number of hours agreed to and as stated in the job offer. They must also not work hours that fall predominantly between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. 
• Safety standards: Employers must provide safe working conditions that comply with U.S. labor laws. They must contact their sponsor organization immediately should anything happen to a participant. 

9. Could this boost your reputation as a globally connected employer? 

This may not be one of your initial reasons for considering international candidates, but it can certainly become a bonus. 

Hosting participants from around the world allows you to highlight your commitment to welcoming cultures and new perspectives. And many customers enjoy the opportunity to speak with and learn from people from different areas of the globe. 

10. Might great participants return or refer others in the future? 

If you’re looking for excellent team members to return for your next season, seasonal workforce solutions like BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel are a reliable option. 

Many participants like to come back to their previous J-1 employer due to the experience they’ve had there. What’s more, if they enjoyed their time in the U.S., they’re likely to do some word-of-mouth marketing back home for you. Responsible participants who can recruit other responsible people can make your hiring role even easier.  

It can make the next steps of the process seamless, as well. From onboarding to working shifts, these referrals will already have a good idea of what’s to come. 

A Summary of Hiring with BridgeUSA 

BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel isn’t designed to replace your local hiring. In fact, it’s in place to complement it – especially if you need a large team to operate. 

Find out how hiring from the BridgeUSA program compares with your traditional hiring measures. 

BridgeUSA: A Smart Hiring Solution 

If most of the answers to these questions are “yes,” partnering with a trusted sponsor could be a smart, rewarding solution. 

More than 4,000 U.S. businesses work with the CIEE BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel program. And you can join them. 

Ready to explore the BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel program? Connect with CIEE today and see how global talent can power your peak season.