Participant Handbook

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Your Orientation Package

• Participant Handbook
• Insurance ID Card and Brochure
• Exchange Visitor Flyer
• Acknowledgment Form
• Top Facts to Remember
• SEVIS Flyer
• I-94 Instructions
• Social Security Information and Form

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• Before you log off today
• Confirm that you have completed this required
  orientation!!
• Click on the orientation acknowledgment form
  link in your email, and fill out the required
  information.
• Dont forget to click I certify in each of the
  indicated sections on the page.
• Contact your Outreach Coordinator with any
  questions you have about the Internship program!

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Program Overview

• Purpose of the J-1 Intern/Trainee program
• To enhance the skills and expertise of exchange
  visitors in their academic or occupational fields
  through participation in structured and guided
  work-based training and internship programs.
• To improve participants' knowledge of American
  techniques, methodologies, and expertise.
• To increase participants' understanding of
  American culture and society and to enhance
  Americans' knowledge of foreign cultures and
  skills through an open interchange of ideas
  between participants and their American
  associates.

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Program Objectives

• Bridge the gap between formal education and
  practical work experience and gain substantive
  cross-cultural
• experience
• Foster mutual understanding and respect
• Gain new skill sets
• Expose Americans to different cultures and
  cross-cultural differences
• Build friendships and networks across borders

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Rules and Regulations

• Intern must either
• Be enrolled in and pursuing studies in a degree-
  or certificate-granting post-secondary
  institution
• outside the United States OR
• Have graduated from such an institution no more
  than 12 months prior to their prospective program
  start date.
• INTERN Programs can last up to 12 months. They
  can be as short as 3 months, though the shorter
  the program, the more difficult the placement (as
  a general rule).

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Rules and Regulations

• Trainee must either
• Have either a degree or professional certificate
  from a foreign post-secondary academic
  institution
• AND at least one year of prior related work
  experience acquired outside the United States OR
• Have at least five years of work experience
  outside of the United State in their occupational
  field.
• TRAINEE Programs can last up to 18 months, with
  the exception of training programs in
  hospitality/tourism, which are limited to 12
  months.

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Home Country Physical Presence Requirement

• Home-country physical presence requirement
  means the requirement that an exchange visitor
  who is within the purview of section 212(e) of
  the Immigration and Nationality Act
  (substantially quoted in 62.44) must reside and
  be physically present in the country of
  nationality or last legal permanent residence for
  an aggregate of at least two years following
  departure from the United States before the
  exchange visitor is eligible to apply for an
  immigrant visa or permanent residence, a
  nonimmigrant H visa as a temporary worker or
  trainee, or a nonimmigrant L visa as an
  intra-company transferee, or a nonimmigrant H or
  L visa as the spouse or minor child of a person
  who is a temporary worker or trainee or an
  intra-company transferee.

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Program Fees Cover

• Internship placement secured prior to arrival or
  verification of internship opportunity if
  self-arranged
• Paperwork coordination J-1 Visa documentation.
• Detailed training plan
• Health/Travel Insurance
• Orientation in the USA
• Housing assistance
• 24 hours a day/7 days a week personal support
• An Emergency 24-hour Assistance telephone number
  1 866 IM IN USA.
• Detailed participant handbook that contains all
  information relative to the program
• One month to travel within the USA after the
  training placement has been completed

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Independent Living

• Budget your time and money
• Costs upon arrival to the U.S.
• Initial 500, Transportation to jobsite, 1st
  months rent
• housing deposit
• Other housing costs
• Utilities, telephone service cable T.V.
• Living costs
• Meals, toiletries, laundry entertainment

Penny 1 cent
Dime 10 cents
Nickel5 cents
Quarter25 cents
Participant Handbook - Pages 23 -24
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Terms

• Partner Agency
• Exchange program in your country
• Sponsor Agency
• Alliance Abroad Group (AAG)
• Host Company
• Company where you will train in U.S.
• SEVIS
• Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
• Outreach Coordinator
• AAG Representative

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• Contact Information
• Alliance Abroad Group, L.P.
• 1221 South Mopac Expressway, Suite 100, Austin,
  Texas 78746 - USA
• Tel [phone] - Fax [phone]
• Toll Free Number 1.866.IM IN USA -
  (1.866.464.6872)
• www.allianceabroad.com
• Responsible Officer Rachel Anthony
• Tel [phone]
• Alternate Responsible Officer Dave Lanfrankie
• Tel [phone]
• U.S. Department of State
• Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation
• ECA/EC/PS - SA-44, Room 734
• 301  4th Street, S.W.
• Washington, D.C. 20547
• Telephone  [phone]
• Email jvisas_at_state.gov

Participant Handbook - Page 7
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Culture Shock Expect the Unexpected!
Be Prepared to Adjust

• Most people face cultural shock upon arrival.
  Its normal!
• Allow time to adjust to miss family and
  friends.
• Its COLD in the winter and HOT in the summer!
• Research your location in the United States to
  get a
• feel for the culture and climate in your home
  away from home!

Cultural Shock Advice

• The program is what you make of it Get
  involved!
• Be independent, but seek help if you need it.
• Keep a journal/diary of your memories.
• Check out our website for cultural components
  www.allianceabroad.com

Participant Handbook - Page 22
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Emergencies 1-866-IM IN USA
(1-866-464-6872)
Call us at any hour if

• You are lost upon arrival.
• You are arrested.
• You are hospitalized with a serious injury.
• You are the victim of a violent crime or in
  immediate danger - CALL 911 FIRST!
• Another participant needs immediate help.

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Your Outreach Coordinator
Call us during business hours if

• You lose your passport or other documents.
• You have concerns about housing.
• You have host company concerns or your training
  is terminated.
• When you leave a message, be sure to speak
  slowly include your name, AAG ID
• number, training location telephone number.
  If you do not leave a message, we cannot help
  you!

1 (866) IM IN USA or 1 (866) 464 - 6872
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SEVIS Check-in

• Register your U.S. home address and training site
  address within 7 days of your program start date.
  To do so please email your name with confirmation
  that you have arrived in the US and include BOTH
  your US home address and your training site
  address to supportinfo_at_allianceabroad.com.
• This registration is required to maintain good
  status with the U.S. Government.
• SEVIS registration is necessary to apply for
  social security card.

• You cannot register for SEVIS until the first
  date on your DS-2019 form.
• Failure to register Visa Cancellation
  and Program Termination

Participant Handbook - Page 13
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Go to your assigned host company

• Check training offer or training plan (DS-7002)
  for contact information, directions and arrival
  instructions.
• Go straight to your host company and contact them
  before 900 p.m. on Monday-Friday only.
• Update AAG with your flight and arrival
  informationbefore departure to the U.S. at
• www.allianceabroad.com/sevis
• If your arrival information changes,
• please inform your Outreach Coordinator.

Participant Handbook - Page 13
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Dont leave your training site!

• Remember your commitment is to your Host Company
  who invited you to the U.S. Your visa does not
  allow you to secure a second training or job
  while in the US.
• Remember! Problems can sometimes be a simple
  misunderstanding!
• Communication is key! Resolve problems with your
  host company first call your AAG Outreach
  Coordinator if you cannot resolve it.
• Dont put your visa status at risk!

Participant Handbook - Page 13
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Housing

• Read the training offer.
• If your position includes housing, you must
  accept the housing offered. You may not
• find your own housing.
• Pay rent on time and stay for your entire
  contract.
• Alliance Abroad Group is not your landlord.
  Look on your job offer or ask your
  employer to find out the name and contact
  information of your landlord.
• Bring enough money for your deposit and first
  months rent to pay upon arrival to prevent
  problems!
• Provide your landlord with your address in your
  home country.

Participant Handbook - Pages 24 - 26
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Participant Arranged Housing

• This means YOU are responsible for finding
  housing!
• Email or call housing leads NOW, so your housing
  is available when you arrive!
• If you arrive to the training site and do no
  have housing, it is NOT your host companys
  responsibility.
• Failure to arrange housing prior to arrival could
  delay your training start date, SEVIS
  registration, and could put your training at
  risk!!!

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Housing
You must leave your housing in CLEAN CONDITION
or

• Your deposit will NOT be refunded.
• Your last paycheck will go toward
• paying for damages.
• If there are additional charges, AAG
• will contact your family.

Participant Handbook - Page 13
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Rules, Laws Regulations
Stay out of trouble!

• NO SEX, NO DRUGS, NO ALCOHOL But be sure to
  have some FUN!
• STAY SAFE stay out of lonely and dark areas,
  dont take big risks.
• STAY LEGAL know the laws of the U.S. Drugs,
  shoplifting, drinking under the age of 21,
  driving under the influence of alcohol can all
  get you arrested, fired and will definitely get
  you sent home!

Participant Handbook - Page 31
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Rules, Laws Regulations

• NO SHOPLIFTING! There are cameras watching you
  at all times. If you take something that is not
  yours, you WILL GET CAUGHT!
• NO DRINKING American laws are very strong. You
  must be 21 years old to drink alcohol! Your
  passport/ID will always be checked when you buy
  alcohol. DO NOT GIVE alcohol to people who are
  not 21 years old, you could go to jail!
• NO DRUGS Drugs are not allowed in the United
  States! Do not buy, sell, or use drugs, or you
  will be caught.
• If you are arrested, you could ruin your program,
  and it will cost you a lot of money.

Participant Handbook - Page 31
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Social Security Card
What is it?

• Social security is issued by the local Social
  Security Administration.
• Wait at least 10 days to apply after registering
  with SEVIS.

• Keep your Social Security application receipt and
  show it to your employer.
• Apply for social security at the beginning of
  your program! If you apply in the last month of
  your program, you will be rejected!

123 - 45 - 6789
Participant Handbook Pages 17 - 18
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Social Security Card
How to get it

• Register with SEVIS at www.allianceabroad.com/sevi
  s.
• You will need to have 2 copies of each document
  below
• Social Security Application form
• I-94 form (front back)
• J-1 visa, training plan (DS-7002) and Sponsor
  letter
• Birth certificate or official picture ID that is
  at least one year old
• For more information visit our website.

• DS 2019 form (front back)
• Passport (photo/signature page)

Participant Handbook Page 20
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Completing The Social Security Form
JITKAEW
CHAOWAT
Host Company name address
Nov 3 1984
Bangkok, Thailand
URAI PATTIMA SANTITRAKUL
X
MANAT PANU
JITKAEW
X
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Completing the Social Security Form
X
X
X
March 30, 2008
YOUR HOST COMPANYS TEL.
Chaowat Jitkaew
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Taxes
W-4 and W-2 Forms

• Federal, State, Local Taxes 15 20 of your
  paycheck
• Do NOT pay Social Security or Medicare/Medicaid
  taxes
• W-4 tax form Employees Withholding
• W-2 tax form sent to you in January
• Leave your address with employer

• File for refund online before April 15 of
  next year
• Go to the AAG website for help with your
  taxes!

Participant Handbook - Pages 15 - 16
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Health Insurance CORIS USA 1-800-358-9105
ALWAYS CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY BEFORE
RECEIVING TREATMENT!
What is covered

• Deductible
• 50 USD first visit
• 25 for each follow-up for same illness
• 250 deductible for Emergency Room visits

• Medical treatment, inpatient/outpatient
• Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
• Period of Coverage DS 2019 Start Date DS 2019
  End Date
• CORIS USA Assistance Center
• 6713 MAIN ST Suite 240
• Miami Lakes, FL 33014
• Toll free (USA)  1-800-358-9105
• Tel [phone]
• assistance_at_corisamerica.com

Participant Handbook - Pages 17
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Planning to Ski or Snowboard this Winter?

Dont take an extra risk
BUY SKI INSURANCE!!

Your Alliance Abroad Group travel insurance plan does NOT cover skiing or snowboarding, so if you think that there is a chance that you will be doing these activities during your program, we strongly encourage you to buy this low-cost insurance. A broken arm or broken leg can cost up to 3,000 or more without insurance. You can purchase this Ski Insurance at the Alliance Abroad Group website (credit card required).  A quick  easy step-by-step process is included www.allianceabroad.com/participants/insurance_Bulstrad.htmski  Cost Only 15 USD per month If you have questions, please contact your Outreach Coordinator!



 

 

 
Dont take a chance!  A broken arm will cost many thousands of dollars if you are uninsured. 
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Health Insurance

• What is NOT covered

• Pre-existing conditions or illnesses prior to
  arrival
• Asthma, diabetes, toothaches are not covered!
• Routine medical check-ups
• Pregnancy and childbirth, elective abortion
• Dental and eye care
• Injuries from hazardous activities including
  sailing, diving, and skiing
• Psychiatric care
• Physical therapy
• Cash, Personal Papers, flight tickets, computers
  and bicycles are not covered under your baggage
  insurance.
• For more information www.allianceabroad.com/parti
  cipants/insurance.htm
• and read the insurance brochure on your
  orientation cd

Participant Handbook - Pages 17
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Dont Forget
Participant Handbook Read it before you leave
home!

• How to contact AAG the State Department
• Training site Protocol
• Internship program regulations
• Insurance
• Social Security cards
• Taxes and W-2 forms
• Life and customs in the U.S.
• Safety and much more!

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Dont Forget

• Documents to bring with you

• Travel entry into the U.S.
• DS 2019 form
• I-94 form
• Passport with J-1 stamp/sticker
• AAG Sponsor letter
• CORIS insurance card
• Training Plan (DS-7002)
• Birth certificate (or other official picture ID
  at least 1 year old)

US VISIT Program New procedures require that
you be fingerprinted when applying for your visa
when entering the U.S.
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QUESTIONS?

• If you have questions, please email your Outreach
  Coordinator and ask! We are always here to help!
• Go to www.allianceabroad.com/participants and
  learn helpful tips and information about
• Insurance (dont forget to purchase your ski
  insurance!)
• Taxes (and tax refunds!)
• Cultural activities in your town
• Hostels
• SEVIS information
• Regulations
• Contact information
• And much, much more!!

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