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| Welcome to Experience
America! |
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If you are a company interested in learning
more about hosting a foreign trainee, you've come to the right
page.
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| Host Companies |
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Experience America matches foreign university
students and young professionals with companies in the San
Francisco Bay Area. Participants may participate in a
training/internship program for a minimum of 2 months, and a
maximum of 18 months. Interested in gaining experience,
foreign trainees are highly motivated to learn more about the
American way of doing business. This strong motivation also
leads trainees to be hard workers, eager to develop their
knowledge and skills. The relationship between the company and
trainee is mutually beneficial. Companies that have hosted
foreign trainees appreciate the fresh perspective individuals
from different cultures bring to the workplace, the practical
benefits of bilingual and bicultural personnel, and the
long-term professional contacts overseas.
If you find
yourself saying "but we don't have a formal training program
in place," - don't worry! Your company does not need to have a
formal training program in place ( i.e. staffing, screening,
and personnel support.) Experience America provides this
service to your company free-of-charge. What we look for are
companies willing to develop a specific training plan for an
individual applicant, based on his or her academic background
and work experience. For example, some of our host companies
will have trainees work on one or more special projects or
assignments depending on the length of their stay.
There is no "finder's fee" charged to the company to
host an Experience America trainee.
Experience America
offers two ways for host companies to enjoy the benefits of
hosting a foreign trainee: the Personalized Training Program
and the Self-Arranged Training Program.
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| Steps to Hosting a
Foreign Trainee (thru Experience America) |
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This is also referred to as the "Personalized
Training Program."
The demand overseas for on-the-job
training opportunities in the U.S. is great; what's often
missing is a smooth and efficient process of bringing a
prospective host company and a qualified trainee together.
This is where Experience America comes in. We offer a
pre-screening process that takes the hassle out of finding and
selecting quality, temporary trainees.
Trainees can
apply to Experience America year round, either through
overseas partner organizations, English language schools, or
directly via this web site. Applicants must submit an
application, containing a detailed description of the type of
training desired, a resume, cover letter and letter of
reference. The host company reviews this information and
responds to Experience America indicating if they wish to
offer that applicant a training position, and/or interview the
applicant. (Personal interviews are only possible if the
student is already in the U.S. on an English program;
otherwise, Experience America will arrange for the applicant
to phone the recruiter at a scheduled time.)
Once a
company decides to make an offer of training to the applicant,
Experience America works closely with the company to develop
and write a detailed training plan outlining the training
syllabus, skills to be imparted and evaluation procedures.
Here's a summary of the process:
1. Complete
the Host Company Request Form.
2. We will contact you
when we have an applicant matching the industry and needs of
your company. Companies are also encouraged to contact us with
specific training openings or needs - you never know when we
might get a good match!
3. Review the applicant's
profile.
4. Confirm an offer of training to Experience
America via email, phone or fax.
5. Develop training
plan with assistance from an Experience America staff person.
6. Receive confirmation from us that the applicant
accepts the offer.
7. Receive confirmation from us on
the trainee's start date. (An Experience America Placement
Coordinator will escort the trainee on the first day of work.)
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| Steps to Hosting a
Foreign Trainee (Self-Arranged) |
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This is also referred to as the "Self-Arranged
Training Program."
This program is for foreign
trainees who have independently arranged a paid or unpaid
training position with a U.S. company, but require additional
placement and/or visa application support.
Employers
who have already identified a foreign trainee and require the
services of Experience America (i.e., the completion and
processing of documents required to obtain Form DS-2019),
should complete the Host Company Request Form or contact
Rebecca Megerssa, Executive Director, directly at 415-921-3654
or via email at training@experienceamerica.com.
Here's
a summary of the process:
1. Complete the Host Company
Request Form.
2. Confirm an offer of training to
Experience America via email, phone or fax.
3. Develop
a training plan with assistance from an Experience America
staff person.
4. Receive confirmation from us that the
applicant accepts the offer.
5. Receive confirmation
from us on the trainee's start date. (An Experience America
Placement Coordinator will escort the trainee on the first day
of work.)
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| Experience America
Responsibilities |
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We are committed to assisting host companies to
make the Experience America program work for everyone
involved. We want this experience to be a "win-win" experience
for both the trainee and the company.
Experience
America provides the students with:
* Training
placement;
* Housing placement;
* All of the
necessary documents required to obtain Form DS-2019 (if coming
direct from their home country and applying for a J-1 visa);
* Pre-departure orientation materials about life and
work in the United States;
* Assistance in obtaining
medical insurance;
* An arrival orientation packet;
* 24-hour emergency contact;
* Support from a
local Placement Coordinator.
Experience America
supports the host companies by:
* Processing the
required documents for the trainee to obtain Form DS-2019 (if
coming direct from their home country and applying for a J-1
visa);
* Screening trainee;
* Assisting with
the development of the Training Plan;
* Responding to
e-mail, faxes, or phone calls within one business day;
* Acting as a mediator in any disputes that arise
between the host company and trainee;
* Considering
the needs of the host company, as well as the needs of the
trainee;
* Seeking suggestions on improving the
Experience America program and selection process.
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| Host Company
Responsibilities |
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Hosting a foreign trainee is similiar to hiring
an American worker, with a few important exceptions. Trainees
on a J-1 Trainee visa are not subject to Social Security or
Disability/Worker's Comp contributions. They are subject to
state, federal and local income taxes, if being paid. If the
training is unpaid, trainees agree to sign a Business
Liability Release form.
To comply with the U.S.
Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs' regulations, Experience America is required to have
companies:
* Submit a training plan outlining the
scope and content of the participant's training program;
* Complete mid-point and final evaluations (provided
by Experience America;)
The company will be asked to
assign a supervisor who has responsibility for monitoring and
supervising the trainee's progress. The supervisor will review
expectations of the training with the trainee, including
skills development, use of facilities and/or equipment, safety
procedures, and pertinent government regulations. The
supervisor will also discuss policy and protocol with regard
to dress code, attendance, work hours, smoking, lunch
schedules, break schedules (if applicable), any holidays
during the program, and telephone/internet usage.
In
the event the company intends to change the training syllabus
of the trainee, or is dissatisfied with the behavior or
performance of the trainee, the supervisor should immediately
notify Experience America. A trainee may be dismissed from the
program for violations of Experience America's program
policies and/or company policies, and only after consultation
with Experience America. Before dismissing a trainee,
Experience America will explore reasonable alternatives to
resolve the problem.
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| Trainee
Responsibilities |
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Our trainees are highly motivated, well-educated
young men and women eager to get on-the-job training in an
American business environment, and develop new skills and
knowledge. Having said that, cultural expectations and
business etiquette vary from country to country. We orient
trainees on some of the most common American values in
business and management, but also encourage host companies to
conduct their own orientation on their company's policies and
procedures.
Trainee's are expected to:
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Remain in good standing with adherence to J-1 visa regulations
and any advisories, and prodedural changes issued by U.S.
governmental agencies regarding their J-1 visa status;
* Adhere to all company policies and procedures
regarding hours, dress code, behavior, sick leave, and work
ethics;
* Complete the training period agreed to on
the Training Plan;
* Complete mid-point and final
evaluations;
* Communicate with immediate supervisor
first for all program-related questions or concerns:
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Return to home country within 30 days at the conclusion of the
training program.
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| Trainee Eligibility
Requirements |
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- All applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicants must be non-U.S. citizens.
- All
applicants must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking
English (recommended level would be equivalent to a score of
550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language - TOEFL.)
- Applicants must be either a full-time student, or a
career professional.
- Applicants must possess two
years of education or experience in the field in which they
desire a training position.
- Experience America
cannot sponsor persons in on-the-job training in performing
arts, flight training, education, or areas which involve
patient contact.
- A current passport with a validity
date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended
period of stay in the United States.
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