The Summer Work Travel program began as an opportunity for young international students to experience life in America, while supporting American companies during their busiest seasons, but the students aren't the only ones who benefit. Hosting international students offers your company more than seasonal help, as they each bring a new perspective and culture to share and an enthusiasm to learn about American culture and history. Your participants return home with new, global perspectives and life-long skills, while the participants contribute to your company’s cross-cultural enrichment.

Integrating cultural activities into your Work Travel students' work life adds so much more to their experience than a simple trip to the States. They'll bring back fond memories of the delicious potluck at the company picnic or the great conversations they had with their coworkers from around the world.

Our host companies have done a fantastic job of integrating cultural activities into their J-1 employees' time in the United States.
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Buddy System

Pair up international and domestic employees, helping introduce the company and local area, while sharing American culture first hand.

Activities Calendar

Keep an activities calendar for people to share fun things to do together in the area, like local street fairs, farmer's markets, or trivia nights.

Company Potluck

Meals bring people together. Host a company potluck, where employees can all bring their favorite dish to share.

Sports Tournament

Embrace an international pastime and hold a soccer/football tournament. Employees enjoy a little competition and exercise.

Social Time

Offer socials like language lunches or happy hours. Employees can share their stories while learning different languages and cultures.

Movie Night

Have a classic movie night with subtitles or Closed Captioning to help your international employees follow along with the storyline.

Even after the program concludes, our participants have done a fantastic job of traveling around the country, discovering fun, exciting things for themselves. We've compiled some of their best photos on the IWT Facebook Page.