Summer Work Travel Employer Q&A: IAM Water Safari
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Learn more about U.S. employers who partner with CIEE BridgeUSA and our Summer Work Travel program. These businesses hire international seasonal staff to meet operational needs and participate in cultural exchange.
Q: Please introduce yourself.
A: My name is Brandy Weiler. I'm the director of human resources for IAM Water Safari.
Q: Do you find the BridgeUSA program useful for your business?
A: The BridgeUSA program is essential to our business. We are located in the Adirondack Mountains in New York, so due to the remote location, we would not have the staff to fully be operational.
Q: Does having international students at your worksite have a positive influence on the site and in the community?
A: Absolutely. Our guests love to come in and see all the different countries we're hosting each year. They really enjoy talking with the international students about their home countries, and they like to share stories if they've been to the countries that the BridgeUSA students came from. And we do a lot of community events that the students love to participate in.
Q: In what ways have you brought the American culture to your BridgeUSA participants?
A: We provide three cultural trips each month. They can opt to go, but they don't have to. They vary from cool things throughout our region, from famous castles, landmarks, other area theme parks. And malls – they love to shop. That's a big one. We have tons of hiking trails and swimming lakes and boat rides. We try to think of things that they may have never done before.
Q: If you no longer had access to the BridgeUSA program, how would your business be affected?
A: If the BridgeUSA program was to just no longer be, unfortunately, we would not be able to run. Our park would probably shut down, or it would greatly depreciate the amount we’re allowed to offer.
Q: What are the three most important reasons your business uses the BridgeUSA program?
A: One, we could not run without them. Two, there are lifelong bonds and friendships.
It is not uncommon for BridgeUSA students to come visit in the off-season. We get a lot of snow in our region, and many like to see that. And three, in the community, it helps other businesses in town, as well.
Ready to solve your seasonal staffing challenges? Discover the talent that the CIEE BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel program can bring to your organization.