CIEE BridgeUSA Work Exchanges Blog

The BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel program is a U.S. Department of State-managed initiative that allows international students to work for American businesses and live in the United States at no expense to the American taxpayer.

If filling roles – whether seasonal, high volume, or specialized – has become more challenging, you’re not alone. Employers across industries are exploring new ways to stay competitive. Like hiring roadshows.

To build a strong engineering internship program, employers need to know where engineering students and recent graduates look for internships – and what recruiting options they may be missing.

Because so much is prepared before the BridgeUSA Intern and Trainee programs begin, both the employer and the participant know exactly what to expect throughout the experience.

Many employers worry that organizing cultural activities for participants will be complicated, time consuming, or expensive. The good news? It doesn’t have to be.

Nervous. Excited. Scared. Those are some words I could use to describe the feelings I had upon packing my life into a 23kg suitcase to work at a summer camp in the United States.

If you’re considering hosting international talent at your workplace, you’ll need to work with a J-1 visa sponsor. Understanding that relationship is one of the most important first steps for employers.

Hiring globally doesn’t have to mean long-term sponsorship, relocation challenges, or complex immigration processes. Sometimes, organizations just need access to global expertise – quickly, clearly, and with a defined purpose.

Meet U.S. employers partnering with CIEE BridgeUSA to hire international seasonal staff and support cultural exchange. Michael Lumpkin, retail senior manager at Aramark Destinations Pikes Peak, shares his experience.

You’re ready to host international interns or trainees with the BridgeUSA program, but questions linger: How does it actually work? Will you have real support? And how can you be sure you’re staying compliant?

Bringing international talent into your workplace can be a smart move. But first, ask yourself: Is this J‑1 visa sponsor designated by the U.S. Department of State?

The J‑1 visa supports a flexible, culturally rich exchange program that benefits both employers and participants. Yet misconceptions about BridgeUSA compliance, training plans, and employer responsibilities often create unnecessary hesitation.

J-1 professional exchange visitor categories have overlapping elements and nuances between them. Even if you read the regulations for each category, you could still walk away feeling confused about them.

Sponsors and agents. They sound similar, but are they? While both can help participants come to America on a BridgeUSA exchange program, they play very different roles in the process.

A partner. An ally. An advocate. That’s the kind of support employers deserve from a J-1 visa sponsor and their BridgeUSA program: reliable, responsive, and always in your corner.