Busting the Most Common Summer Work Travel Hiring Myths

You've got seasonal positions to fill, and finding reliable employees gets harder every year. Meanwhile, there's a program that could solve your staffing crunch, but maybe you've written it off based on myths about complexity, cost, or risk. 

As the oldest and largest nonprofit J-1 visa sponsor in the country, CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange has helped hundreds of thousands of international participants connect with thousands of American employers through BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel. 

And it can help your seasonal business, too. 

Common Myths About Hiring International Summer Staff 

It's no myth: BridgeUSA participants inject more than $1.2 billion annually into the American economy overall. They economically and culturally enrich communities, large and small, across America.   

Don't let these Summer Work Travel myths cost you the seasonal workforce you need. 

Myth #1: “International staff take jobs away from Americans.” 

FACT: By law, BridgeUSA participants can’t replace U.S. workers or be used as a substitute for regular jobs. Instead, the program is designed to help employers manage temporary staffing gaps, supporting American businesses during peak seasons and helping prevent disruptions that could impact local economies. 

If anything, hosting international summer staff complements your hiring plans. It’s especially beneficial if your business is: 

• In an area where it can be hard to find enough local residents to fill jobs. 
• In an area with a peak season, when you need more help than the rest of the year. 
• In need of many employees – like hundreds or even thousands – in a short period of time. 
• Operating earlier and/or later in the season, since many international students have longer academic breaks. (Note that employers can also use the Summer Work Travel program during busy winter and spring seasons, when U.S. students also don’t get long breaks from school.) 

BridgeUSA adds up to 50 days, on average, to the summer season. Because of supplemental staffing from BridgeUSA programs, American businesses can maintain their operations and levels of U.S. employees.  

Myth #2: “International participants arrive with little vetting, making the BridgeUSA program a potential security risk.” 

FACT: Before they can enter the United States, every BridgeUSA participant undergoes a thorough vetting at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country.  

The sponsor then makes sure that the participant consults with their international representative, sponsor, and/or host employer to ensure they understand the role. 

To even get an interview to compete for a visa, participants must show proof of their U.S.-based sponsor, temporary position in the U.S., funds to pay for the program, and plans to return home. During their visa interview, potential program participants are required to make their social media accounts public for vetting by the Department of State.  

While in the U.S., participants are evaluated regularly by their supervising hosts and checked on by their sponsors, After the program, their visas expire and they must return home.  

Myth #3: “They don't speak English so they can't be customer-facing.” 

FACT: The State Department actually requires international participants to prove their English-language proficiency. The sponsor you work with – like CIEE Summer Work Travel – will either: 

• Provide an English language test to the participant. 
• Receive documentation from an academic institution or English language school. 
• Conduct a documented interview in person, by videoconferencing, or by telephone if videoconferencing is not available. 

Myth #4: “I can pay Summer Work Travel participants less than local employees.” 

FACT: BridgeUSA has wage requirements, too. Your Summer Work Travel sponsor will ensure that your participants are made aware of applicable federal, state, and local minimum wages. Host employers must offer their international participants pay and benefits commensurate with those offered to their similarly situated U.S. counterparts. 

Because participants pay their own way to live and work in the U.S., a competitive wage is a factor when selecting a job they'd like to pursue. 

Myth #5: “Participants are just trying to stay in the U.S.” 

FACT: Participants who come to the U.S. to work for BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel employers do so on a time-limited J-1 visa and must return home after their program. The J-1 visa is specifically a nonimmigrant visa designed only for people traveling here temporarily for exchange visitor programs – like BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel. 

Each BridgeUSA program has its own designated timeline. For Summer Work Travel, participants can work in the U.S. for up to four months during their university break. (Work is not allowed beyond the four months, and no program extensions are allowed.) Afterward, they receive a grace period of up to 30 days, in which they can travel the country and spend the money they earned while they’re here. 

Myth #6: “I won’t know how to manage international employees.” 

FACT: As with any seasonal employee, there are tasks you have to manage. However, with your Summer Work Travel participants, you don't have to do it alone. 

CIEE BridgeUSA will help you throughout the entire process and provide best practice resources for onboarding, allowing you to help integrate your participants into your workplace and community. 

Myth #7: “The hiring process is complicated and time-consuming.” 

FACT: When you begin working with a J-1 visa sponsor, you’ll make things easier for yourself. That’s because a sponsor like CIEE BridgeUSA has helped thousands of seasonal businesses year after year with their paperwork, making the process even more seamless for J-1 Summer Work Travel employers. 

Myth #8: “If something goes wrong, I'm on my own." 

FACT: Your J-1 visa sponsor is required to provide support. The CIEE Summer Work Travel team is not only available during standard business hours, but they can take emergency calls 24/7. Support is available for both employers and participants. 

Why These Myths Exist (And Why the Facts Matter) 

Summer Work Travel myths usually come from outdated information or secondhand stories. You may have heard that visas are difficult without realizing there are dozens of visa types – and that the J-1 visa is among the easiest to obtain, with an 89% acceptance rate in 2024 (the most recent data available). 

Others have been told the program is complicated, only to discover that guidance from a sponsor clears up most concerns quickly. Some employers hesitate because the program feels unfamiliar. 

Working with a J-1 sponsor like CIEE BridgeUSA changes that. You gain a reliable partner and access to motivated, enthusiastic international participants who are ready to contribute to businesses like yours and help make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. 

What Employers Can Expect When Partnering with CIEE 

Choosing to work with CIEE means you get Gold Standard Service. 

From your first phone call to the end of your program and beyond, CIEE is here for you. That means CIEE provides you with: 

• Free hiring services tailored to your needs 
• An account manager so that you receive personalized attention 
• A selection of responsible candidates that’s been vetted by our team 
• Experienced guidance throughout the hiring process 
• Onboarding assistance 
• 24/7 access to a dedicated CIEE support team, so help is always available if issues arise with your international staff 

No matter the question, CIEE will work with you to help make your season a success. 

Ready to Learn the Facts About Summer Work Travel Hiring? 

If you’re ready to move forward with a unique hiring solution, the CIEE BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel team is here to help. Over 4,000 U.S. businesses trust CIEE BridgeUSA with their seasonal staffing needs each year. Connect with CIEE today. 

Learn how partnering with CIEE BridgeUSA can support your seasonal hiring needs.