01. Myth – BridgeUSA is a foreign worker or guest worker program.
FACT: BridgeUSA is a Department of State international cultural exchange program.
The program was created by Senator J. William Fulbright with the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 in order to engage and influence future leaders around the world. It is the U.S.’ largest exchange and public diplomacy program. International students, young professionals, au pairs, teachers, and camp counselors engage in work as a cultural experience to support themselves financially during their temporary stay in the United States. They don’t come to the U.S. simply to work.
02. Myth – bridgeusa programs take away american jobs.
FACT: BridgeUSA programs help create and sustain American jobs.
For example, a 2017 analysis of the Summer Work Travel (SWT) program shows that the majority of the Summer Work Travel (SWT) program students are placed in areas with already high American employment rates. SWT students do not displace American workers, but rather supplement this American workforce, helping host businesses meet seasonal workforce needs, especially during the shoulder seasons (before Memorial Day and after Labor Day)
03. Myth – SUMMER WORK TRAVEL (swt) AND CAMP COUNSELOR program participants are paid less than American workers and undercut American wages.
FACT: Summer Work Travel (SWT) and Camp Counselor participants are paid the higher of federal, state, and local minimum wage, and the exact same wage as their similarly situated American coworkers.
This is enforced by Department of State regulation.
04. Myth – bridgeusa students and young professionals work in the U.S. for long periods of time.
FACT: BridgeUSA programs are non-immigrant visa programs. Depending on the program category, the program duration ranges between a few months up to two years. Participants must return home following the completion of their programs.
SWT and Camp Counselor participants remain in the U.S. for a maximum of 4 months. Their job placements must be seasonal and may not be year-round. They cannot extend their stay on their J-1 visa.
Au Pair programs typically last one year, with some au pairs and host families extending the program for another year.
Interns can remain on their program for up to one year, and Trainees up to 18 months. They cannot extend their stay on their J-1 visa.
High (secondary) school students attend an accredited public or private secondary school for up to one year.
Teacher program placements typically last three years. Participants may be eligible for an extension of up to two additional years.
05. Myth – bridgeusa participants are tied to their host employers or host families and cannot change jobs.
FACT: BridgeUSA participants on programs with a work component are not tied to their host employers or host families.
If participants want to change host placements, they can do so with the assistance of their program sponsors. Their sponsors act as their advocates throughout their time in the U.S.
06. Myth – bridgeusa participants pay exorbitant fees to participate in the program.
FACT: The average worldwide fee for SWT program participation is $1,533, according to a 2016 State Department report.
This program fee covers the program application process, placement, vetting and approval of the host site in the United States, orientation, assistance with local housing and transportation, sponsor support throughout the length of the program, organization of cultural activities, and accident and sickness insurance.
07. Myth – American host businesses save money by hosting SWT participants and camp counselors.
FACT: On average, host businesses and camps do not save money by hiring SWT participants and international camp counselors.
Hosts absorb extra costs related to these students, including organizing cultural activities, assisting with housing and transportation, and providing orientation and training. Since non-immigrant, non-citizens who are temporarily in the U.S. - like SWT and Camp Counselor students - can’t collect Social Security or Medicare benefits, U.S. tax law exempts them from making Social Security and Medicare contributions. All BridgeUSA participants on programs with a work component do, however, pay federal, state, and local taxes.
08. Myth – The U.S. Government spends millions of dollars on bridgeusa programs.
FACT: The U.S. Government spends $0 on BridgeUSA programs.
No taxpayer dollars are used to fund BridgeUSA program participation - the international participants pay their own way. They cover all costs associated with the program, funding their own program fees, room and board, and travel while in the United States.