Posted by admin on March 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Dear friends,
“Why are American’s complaining about their economy when over 90% of the people have jobs?” I was asked recently by a Brazilian friend, who pointed out the fact that “bad” is a very relative term; “We always have about 15% unemployment in Brazil.” I asked a friend in Jamaica and she said they usually have about 20% unemployment. But, the US is in really great shape when compared to the Philippines. It is estimated that 10% of the entire Philippine population lives abroad because of the lack of work at home.
J-1 Training as Compared to J-1 Internship
J-1 Training and J-1 Internship are very similar in that both offer on-the-job training and include a training plan with phases to expose participants to a variety of experiences. Internship, though, is considered a lower-level program for students while Training is aimed more at experienced professionals.
This week we have several new open positions in Lake Tahoe at a beautiful resort hotel with a wonderful history.
Posted by admin on February 27, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Dear Friends,
A Chinese American friend and one from India both had a similar response recently when they talked about a son giving their father the gift of a car: it was such a generous gift that it was better not to tell family because they might be jealous. Westerners, when asked about whether they would tell their family about such a gift, had different thoughts. In the US, I would call my brother up and invite him for a ride. In Brazil, Simone would call her sister and let her know immediately. In Spain, Cesar would not call his brother. Instead he would drive over to his brother’s house in the new car and honk. When his brother came out he would point out the new car, the gift from his son. Then he would ask, “What has your son bought you lately?”
The Economy’s Effect on Visa Approval While it is very difficult to know with certainty whether approval rates for Interns or Trainees on the J1 Exchange Visitor visas are going down as the US economy slows, it seems not. The number of people obtaining these visas is going down though. There are not as many positions available so there are fewer people applying.
This week we are beginning our recruitment for summer positions at one of the beautiful resorts in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
Posted by admin on January 16, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Dear Friends,
The subway in Japan can be an exotic place, especially when you are a six year old who has spied an American: “Mommy, mommy foreigner! Foreigner!” Being seen as different was one of my least favorite things about living in Japan. Similarly, a Japanese friend told me about the sideways looks she got in Boston where she lived. Being seen as different makes you feel uncomfortable – at the very least. This coming Monday the United States celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, a person who dedicated his life fighting for the rights of those who looked different from the majority of other Americans. Therefore, it is especially fitting that, the following day, the United States celebrates as we inaugurate our first African-American President. Though people around the world will continue to stare at those who appear different, it is wonderful that the United States has proven that we can also see beyond those differences.
H-2B Cap Reached
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on January 8 that it has enough petitions to fill the H-2B cap for the second half of Fiscal Year 2009. You cannot get any more H-2B workers with start dates prior to October 1, 2009. We can still help out with J Trainees or J Interns for this period.
We have positions available in the New York area for the Spring and Summer of this year.
Posted by admin on December 12, 2008 · Leave a Comment
December 12, 2008
Volume 6, Number 39
Dear Friends,
Shopping is one of the Holiday Season’s requisite activities here in the US. And a young lady I know (my 11 year-old daughter) has a clear opinion on this important pass-time. “If I had a free day I would shop ’til I drop! I would go to San Francisco’s Westfield Mall. They have all the best shops in the world and they have food on the bottom level when you get hungry. When I’m done eating, I can continue shopping. What a perfect day that would be!” Unless you are Daddy and have to pay for it.
Updated I-9 Form
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Employment Eligibility Verification Form, the I-9, will be updated. The new form will require all documents used for verifying work eligibility to be current. The new forms will not go into use until after being published in the Federal Register for 45 days.
We are starting to get more new open positions from Country Clubs in the New York area that will begin in the spring of next year.
Posted by admin on November 14, 2008 · Leave a Comment
November 14, 2008
Volume 6, Number 35
Dear Friends,
The afterglow of the Obama Presidential victory seems to continue filtering down from around the world. Here in the US though, it is not as one of my South American friends thought – Obama is not viewed in the US as the new Martin Luther King. On the contrary, Obama won because he appealed to all Americans of all racial backgrounds. Listening to my friends from Jamaica and Japan and Poland and Brazil and India, it seems he appeals internationally as well. From each of those countries I heard the same comment: “Congratulations on Obama.”
Obama on Immigration
How will the Obama victory affect international visas for foreigners interested in coming to the US for work experience? While it is hard to say exactly, one thing for sure is that the economy of the US is not great right now. Because of this it would be difficult for anyone in the government to justify additional visas for foreigners wanting to work in the US. But Obama does encourage international exchange so the J program should continue to thrive.
Another of our host companies from the New Jersey area is looking for applicants with Food and Beverage as well as Culinary experience for the coming Spring and Summer season.
Posted by admin on October 24, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Dear Friends,
As you read this e-mail then check your voice mail before going home to surf your favorite web-sites, it may seem that our world is getting so high in technology that the “simple life” before computers is a distant, irrelevant, memory. But a hugely popular business here in the US are bookstores that offer a warm “at-home” feeling while they sell millions of dollars of old-fashioned paper and ink books. The one I went to last night with my mom had big cozy leather chairs and a fire-place where a young woman sat contentedly reading a book with her feet up. They even served fresh pastries and coffee – Starbucks of course. The presence of a large, recognizable, multinational corporation works well with our “at-home” feeling.
Professional Experience in the US for J Training Visas.
For the J Training visa 5 years of work experience is required for those without a degree in the field of training or one year for those with a degree in a training-related field. BUT all of those years of experience need to be OUTSIDE of the US. Details like this make it that much more important to be sure to inquire with a professional before making decisions related to your visa.
This week we have wonderful positions in some exquisite locations in Florida and the hosts will be covering part of the visa fees!
Hope you have a cozy “at-home” week.
Hospitality
Luxury Country Club/ Golf/ Tennis/ Spa
Culinary Management, Hostess/Cashiers, Restaurant Servers, Porters, Housekeepers. Seasonal Workers
6-12 months
Seasonal workers. Training includes: food preparation, dining room operation, dis/pot machine operation and/or maintaining sanitation standards. Heavy lifting is required. Good English and strong customer service skills. Educational or work experience in hospitality/ culinary management may be required. $9/hr J-1 Training/ Internship
Posted by admin on October 3, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Dear Friends,
As the economic problems of the United States continue, effecting markets and countries around the world, it reminds us of the many other problems that America seems to be exporting. Our plastic bags float across the Pacific Ocean to Samoa. The exhaust from our cars warms the planet and melts the ice cap in Russia. But it is important to remember that America doesn’t just export problems; we also export our culture to the world as well. This past week in Jamaica I noticed that one of the movies playing there was the noted American film Jackass 2.
J Internship Eligibility
During this past week in Jamaica our company was able to visit a number of colleges and post-secondary training programs that will be introducing candidates to our programs – and not all of these were 4 year universities. It is important to remember that the J Internship program, for example, does not require the applicant to be in a, nor a recent graduate of, a four year degree program. Instead an applicant simply needs to be a student or a recent graduate of a government recognized educational program with a course that is related to the experience to be gained in the United States.
This week we are beginning to look toward the needs or our host companies for this coming year. We have four positions at an absolutely gorgeous location overlooking the Hudson River in New York that will be available this coming year in March. For more information about this position please see NY015AP.
Posted by admin on September 26, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Jamaica is separated from the United States by a flight of about 2 hours and a common language. “Unu gwon ome. Ita … rain.” The gentleman said to the schoolgirls, letting them know that “You should go home. It is going to rain.” But even when the words are comprehensible the meaning might not be. As I explained to my Jamaican partner Pheona that hockey was a popular sport in the US, she said that it was also a popular sport in Jamaica. In fact “Jamaica was number two in the world behind New Zealand” she said. Being a bit confused, I asked “Ice Hockey?”
“Ice?” Pheona exclaimed, “We don’t got not ice in Jamaica!”
US Visas for Jamaicans
It is relatively more easy for Jamaicans to get the J visas that EDI deals with as compared to other countries. Because Jamaica is so close to the US it is not difficult for Jamaican J visa holders to return home after their programs. And, unlike people from other countries who would really prefer to live in the US, I met many Jamaicans who had lived in the US for extended periods only to decide they really would rather live in Jamaica. (Winter in the US, where there is actual ice, seemed to be a factor, for many.)
This week we have open positions in Wisconsin at a beautiful water park. For more information please see WI002ABCP.