To start with | IEC Exchange

Hi everyone! My name is Dasha, I am currently a 4th-year student, and I spent this summer in the USA on the Work and Travel program.

First, I would like to share, based on my personal experience, what you should and shouldn't do while preparing for your trip.

Job search. When searching, you should prioritize a higher salary rather than the location, as I did (more on that later). Don't forget that different states have different taxes, and this will affect the final amount on your paycheck. If you chose the 'job search' program option and were offered a vacancy that you think you can't handle (for example, a lifeguard at a pool or water park), you will most likely undergo training, and no problems will arise. Any job offered to students is designed for those without experience. The only exceptions are your physical capabilities (if the job involves lifting heavy objects) or individual health conditions (working with chemicals).
Interview with the employer. You will know the time of the interview in advance, so you will have the opportunity to prepare properly.

Write down all the questions you are interested in on a piece of paper so you can see them during the interview, as nervousness can make English words fly out of your head, let alone questions. Here is what you should definitely ask: will you have a break or a lunch break, and how long will it last? If you work with chemicals (dishwashers, housekeepers, pool cleaners), will you be provided with protective equipment? Will you have to buy a uniform? Is there a possibility of receiving bonuses from the employer (discounts at local food outlets, financial incentives, tips)? Does your work depend on weather conditions (due to climate features, for example, in the rain, you won't go to work and these hours won't be paid)? What time of day will you start and finish work?
To smile naturally (which is mandatory) during the interview, practice 'talking with a smile' in front of a mirror.
Create a suitable environment: a neutral background behind you; a quiet place so that you and your employer are not distracted by extraneous noises; check your internet connection and audio reception (it might be better to use headphones with a microphone).
Do not dress too formally.
Don't be afraid to ask for clarification or to rephrase a question.
Be ready to convince the employer that you are the right candidate for them. Write down keywords on the same piece of paper that characterize you as a responsible, independent, punctual, goal-oriented, hardworking, physically resilient, open, positive, and friendly person. If you have work experience or interests related to this job, don't forget to mention it (even if you love nature and your vacancy involves working outdoors, just say: I love nature very much).
If it is a fairly large company, be prepared that the employer might not be the one answering. In that case, you will most likely not get answers to your questions, and you will just have to tell them about yourself (where you study, live; what your hobbies are; why you want to participate in the program and chose this vacancy; why you think you are suitable for it).
If the employer has several available vacancies, think in advance which one you are applying for.

Housing. If possible, it is better to look for employers offering free housing (usually: camps, hotels, suburban amusement parks), as this will significantly reduce your expenses. In case you are renting housing from a private individual, you will have to pay a deposit in advance before your arrival (and possibly before receiving your visa). In this case, before paying, ask all your questions about the housing: availability of a kitchen and kitchen utensils; will you be provided with a separate bed; will you share a room or house with someone, and if so, with whom?; will they return your deposit if you are denied a visa (if you pay before the embassy interview); how is the housing payment calculated: weekly or daily (i.e., will you have to live for a time that is a multiple of weeks, or will they recalculate for days if it's an incomplete week)?; is there a laundry on-site or will you have to use a public one? Only after receiving answers to all your questions, pay the deposit. And also, consider the distance from your future workplace to your place of residence, as not all small towns have public transport, and you will have to rent a bicycle or buy one, which means you need to include this amount in your initial expenses.
Contract. After receiving the long-awaited job offer, take the time to read the document carefully, make sure that everything written corresponds to what you expected: position, salary, location, working hours, payment terms, and only then sign the contract.
Getting a visa. Interview at the embassy.

If there is no US Embassy in your city, count on the trip to Moscow, Yekaterinburg, or Vladivostok and at least 1 night there. It is best to arrive the day before the interview so that you can pass the interview the next day without rushing and with a clear head.
Be prepared that the wait in the hall may drag on, and there will be no opportunity to have a snack, so it is better to have a good breakfast.
The night before, check your DS form again: remember the city and state where you are going. Check the contract: your employer's name, your position. Prepare for the consul's questions: where are you going? what will you be doing? why did you choose this position? what do your parents do? what are you studying at the university? why did you choose this major? what are your plans after graduation? do you plan to travel - if so, where and why? why did you decide to participate in the program? have you ever worked, and what did you do? All your answers must match those in your application form that you sent with the package of documents for the visa. The main thing is to answer calmly, confidently, and with a positive attitude.
At the Moscow embassy, unlike Yekaterinburg, there are no lockers for small items: headphones, flash drives, chargers, smartphones. If you have nowhere to leave them, and there is no possibility at the hostel or hotel, then the nearest cafes, pharmacies, and shops can be your option (my friends called the nearest pharmacy in advance and asked for help for a symbolic fee).

Buying tickets. Most often, tickets are bought 1-1.5 months before departure, so it is not possible to save significantly on tickets, but:

Use foreign websites to buy tickets with transfers: cheaptickets.com; expedia.com.
If possible, purchase a round-trip (for example, Moscow - New York - Moscow), in most cases it is cheaper.
When buying tickets, consider the transfer time, as you will have to change terminals. If the airport is large, you will need time to orient yourself, or if you are changing airlines, you will need to pick up and register your luggage. If you arrive in New York and transfer to a domestic flight, you will most likely have to change airports, so you need to provide time for the trip to it. A bus runs between the airports, a ticket for which you can purchase upon arrival. ($25 in 2019 from JFK to Kennedy Airport).

Luggage.

Don't take too many things! Remember that you are going to work, which means you will be wearing a uniform most of the time.
Take comfortable sneakers in which your feet don't get tired and which are not hot. You will need them every working day, and they will most likely become unusable by the end of the season.
Don't take a suitcase that is too big! - it will be inconvenient to travel with it later.
Pack a first-aid kit. In addition to the usual medications for headaches, colds, upset stomachs, allergies, first aid (band-aids, hydrogen peroxide), it will not be superfluous to have an ointment or gel for tired feet, as there may be severe muscle tension from the unusual work on your feet.
Take small gifts from home (candies, chocolate, local souvenirs) and exchange rubles for small bills and coins to exchange and share with foreign friends. That's the custom!
Leave space in your suitcase for new things and gifts. No student leaves without this.
Leave unsuitable electrical appliances. Unfortunately, not all our electrical appliances are compatible with the voltage in the US power grid. Check the compatibility of your devices in advance. In addition, purchase adapters for the American type of sockets (it is better to buy on aliexpress.com).
Take a snack with you. Food at airports is expensive, so it is better to take a few dried fruit bars, sliced fruit, nuts - this will be useful to you during the transfer from flight to flight and will save money.

Flight. From Russia, the flight lasts 9-12 hours depending on the route, so it is important to feel comfortable.

Wear comfortable clothes. It is better to avoid tight things (skinny jeans, belts, bras - it is better to replace them with a sports top), due to the pressure drop, tight things provoke swelling. Choose loose shoes without fasteners, laces, and heels so that you can take them off without problems during inspection, as well as on the plane, putting on soft warm socks, which will also help avoid foot swelling. Provide a warm sweater, it can be cold on the plane at high altitude.
Purchase a pillow that goes around your neck and shoulders.

Money. Before leaving, it is better to have an amount in cash dollars and part of the money on a card. Cash will be needed to pay for the first week of accommodation, for a bus ticket to the airport, for public transport, and for opening a bank card in the USA. Don't forget to warn your bank in Russia that you are going abroad so that you can carry out transactions using the card without problems.
Additionally.