The program
What is Work & Travel USA?
A U.S. Department of State cultural exchange program that lets full-time university students live, work and travel in the United States during their summer holiday.
Work & Travel USA runs on the J-1 exchange visitor visa. It was created so young people could experience everyday American life from the inside — not as tourists, but as colleagues, neighbours and teammates. You take a seasonal job at a U.S. business, earn your own money at the legal local wage, and spend your free time exploring the country.
The program is regulated by the U.S. Department of State, which designates a small number of organisations as official sponsors. A sponsor vets employers, issues your DS-2019 form, provides insurance and stays responsible for you during your stay. Kouzon Student Service is an authorised representative of CIEE, InterExchange and GreenHeart.
How long it lasts
Up to 4 months of work, typically June to September depending on your university calendar, plus up to 30 additional days of travel afterwards — around 4 to 5 months in total.
Who regulates it
The U.S. Department of State. Your visa is issued at a U.S. embassy after a designated sponsor issues your DS-2019 form.
Where Kouzon fits in
We are the authorised local representative of CIEE, InterExchange and GreenHeart: we prepare you, connect you with vetted employers, handle documentation and support you 24/7.
Who can take part
Full-time university students with at least intermediate conversational English who intend to return home at the end of the program.
Coming back next year
You can take part again in following summers while you are still a student. Many employers invite good students back and pay them more.
Going with friends
Many employers hire pairs and groups. Tell your consultant early and we look for offers with several open places.
Getting hired
Two paths to a job offer
Both are fully valid under program rules — many students combine them.
An interview organised by Kouzon
We connect you with employers from our partner network — resorts, hotels, amusement parks, restaurants and shops that have hired our students for years. You interview by video call, we prepare you beforehand, and you receive a written offer with wage, hours, housing and dates.
A job you find yourself
Already have a contact in the U.S.? You can bring your own offer. The U.S. partner must verify the employer and confirm that the position meets program rules — wage, hours, job type and location all have to qualify before it can be approved.
Placeholder — Exact eligibility criteria, age limits and program dates for summer 2026 are set by the sponsor and must be confirmed by a Kouzon consultant before you rely on them.
Program FAQ
Questions students ask first
Your American summer starts with one conversation
Free, no-obligation consultation — in one of our offices or online, in your own language.