Work Exchanges Blog
Let's Start the School Year with Empathy!
Written by Alexandra McIntosh. Andrea Villasmil is a talented CIEE Work & Travel USA alumni from Ecuador, whose new children’s book “Volamos Juntos” has taken the world by storm. We... keep reading
2023 Work & Travel USA Scholarship Winners
We are excited to announce this year's CIEE Work & Travel USA scholarship winners. Introducing Diana, Fiyin, Neto and Nestor! At CIEE, our mission is to enhance access to intercultural... keep reading
Is a J-1 specialist right for you?
Do you have questions about the J-1 specialist visa? You are not the only one! Many companies and international professionals want to know if the J-1 specialist category is the... keep reading
7 facts you need to know about J-1 Research Scholar Transfers
For most J-1 visa categories, a transfer from one J-1 visa sponsor to another is very unusual. However, many factors unique to the Research Scholar program make transferring to a... keep reading
Which J-1 program is right for me?
One of the most common questions we receive as a sponsor for BridgeUSA professional exchange programs is: “ which J-1 program is right for me? " It is a completely... keep reading
Making the world your classroom
I am Valentina from Colombia. Before coming on a CIEE Work & Travel USA program, I was an average girl, a Business Student working at a bank. But after Summer... keep reading
How to Incorporate Your Exchange Experience on Your Resume
Why should you list your experience? Exchange programs provide many opportunities for personal growth and professional development. Including your exchange experience sets you apart from other candidates and shows future... keep reading
American Culture Tips
Here are some tips on American culture to help you understand and navigate your day to day. Word of advice, as with all generalizations, sometimes they apply and sometimes they... keep reading
5 Tips For Culture Shock
Helpful advice for cultural adjustment From the first step you take in a foreign country, you're busy taking in the newness around you. When you travel abroad, your daily routine... keep reading
Cultural Exchange Alumni Tour: Celebrating Philippine American Friendship Through Cultural Exchange
by Zia Kalong, Content Strategist, Vision International Philippines Vision International Philippines (VIP), in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Manilla, held the first ever J-1 Cultural Exchange Alumni Tour where nearly... keep reading
Camp Counselor: The Toughest Job You Will Ever Love
by Roisin Doyle, CIEE Camp Exchange USA , 2019 Like most girls my age, I have dreamed of going to an American summer camp ever since I was a kid... keep reading
What about Oregon?
Last month I wrote about Portland, but what about the rest of the state? Buckle up, there are a lot of fun things to do in Oregon! - Oregon's capital... keep reading
Fall...ing
What does someone think when hearing the word "seasons"? Undeniably, in most cases our brain recalls the life history of a tree foliage. As beautiful as the foliage may seem... keep reading
Realizing Personal and Professional Growth at the Obama Town Hall Berlin
By Paul Runcan, CIEE Work & Travel USA and Civic Leadership Summit alum, CIEE Exchange Ambassador Grant s recipient Sometime in early April, I received an email that turned my... keep reading
What's up with Portland?
City of Roses, Bridgetown, Beervana, Rip City, Stumptown, PDX... So many different names for the city of Portland (Oregon), also so many things that made me fall in love with... keep reading
Life is a Surprise: Living the Moment That Was Beyond My Dreams
By Sittie Shiena Badal, CIEE Professional Career Training USA and Global Pathfinder Summit fellow I left my beloved homeland, Philippines, with high hopes and dreams that I consider achievable as... keep reading
Building Girls of Courage, Confidence, and Character
by Frederikke Baunbæk Larsen, CIEE Camp Exchange USA , 2019 I see myself as quite a normal girl: I was born and raised in small and ordinary Denmark. I spent... keep reading
How to meet new people?
Sometimes it can be hard being at a new town with a different culture and not knowing anyone. What helps a lot is surrounding yourself with people you can be... keep reading
A Friendship Beyond Borders
by Devanshu Batra and Farhan Ali, CIEE Work & Travel USA and Civic Leadership Summit Alumni, 2018 My name is Devanshu Batra and I’m from India. I met Farhan the... keep reading
Realizing Justice For All at the World Justice Forum
By Paul Runcan, CIEE Exchange Ambassador Grants recipient Sometime in early April, in the span of a few days, I received a couple of emails that turned my world upside... keep reading
Global Pathfinders Summit: Connecting to the World, Connecting to Myself
By Elina Sergejeva, CIEE Internship USA 2018-2019 participant At a time when my home country of Latvia was so far away, I started connecting with others in a new way... keep reading
It's the People That Make the Place
By Mustafa Umut Ozbeck, CIEE Work & Travel USA 2018 and 2019 participant My name is Mustafa Ozbek. I live in Izmir, Turkey and I am studying Mechanical Engineering. Last... keep reading
Becoming a Teacher and a Friend at Summer Camp
By Saces Ferrer, CIEE Camp Exchange USA 2019 participant Hi! I am Saces Ferrer from the Philippines and I participated in the Camp Exchange USA program with the help of... keep reading
Community Job Shadowing Program Opens Doors for Work & Travel USA Participants
By Judi Saxon, Director of Student Services, Brett Robinson Gulf Corporation While the Brett Robinson Gulf Corporation Student Services Department was already offering our Summer Work Travel participants the opportunity... keep reading
Wildfires and Returning Home to Wildwood
By Yuselfi Peralta Sanchez, CIEE Work & Travel USA 2016, 2017, 2018 Participant My name is Yuselfi Peralta, I am from the Dominican Republic and I participated in Work &... keep reading
Say what?
Since I've been living in the United States, I started noticing that they use a lot of expressions. I’ve been writing down the ones I like the most and thought... keep reading
Envisioning Peace Through Coloring Pages
By Yelyzaveta (Lisa) Glybchenko, CIEE Work & Travel USA 2016 & 2018 Participant My name is Yelyzaveta (Lisa) Glybchenko. I am originally from Ukraine, but have studied and lived in... keep reading
Meeting Europe's Emerging Leaders: Obama Town Hall Europe
By Elena Oprea, CIEE Work & Travel USA participant and Civic Leadership Summit fellow, 2015 In 2015, I participated in the Work & Travel USA program. That year, I was... keep reading
Exchange Ambassador Grants Recipient: Nina Kharlamova
In honor of the CIEE Work & Travel USA 50th anniversary, we established the CIEE Exchange Ambassador Grants to support exchange alumni who are working to make change in their... keep reading
Exchange Ambassador Grants Recipient: Maíra Vilas Boas Matos
In honor of the CIEE Work & Travel USA 50th anniversary, we established the CIEE Exchange Ambassador Grants to support exchange alumni who are working to make change in their... keep reading