THE PRINCIPAL AGENCIES

AgriVenture/IAEA

YFC Centre
National Agricultural Centre
Stoneleigh Park
Kenilworth
Warwickshire CV8 2LG
Tel: (0124) 7669 5578
Fax: (0124) 7669 6684
E-mail: uk@agriventure.com
Website: www.agriventure.com

This exchange programme administered by the International Agricultural Exchange Association offers programmes to the USA and other countries for UK, Irish and some European passport holders for 51/2 months to 9 months. Applicants must be aged 18–30, have no dependants, possess a full driving licence and have approximately one year’s experience in their chosen category of agriculture/ horticulture. Current costs start around £1,800.

AIESEC UK

2nd Floor
29-31 Cowper Street
London EC2A 4AT
Tel: (020) 7549 1800
Fax: (020) 7336 7971
E-mail: workabroad@uk.aiesec.org
Website: www.uk.aiesec.org

AIESEC, which stands for Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commcrcialcs. is the world’s largest student-run educational charity. It specialises in providing paid placements lasting from 8 weeks to 78 weeks for graduates and undergraduates in countries other than the UK. Most placements arc in business-related disciplines (accounting, marketing, economics, information systems, finance, etc) and engineering. AIESEC offers only a few placements in the USA. Information for applicants can be gained through the website.

Aupaircare

1565 Stratford Road
Hall Green
Birmingham B28 9JA
Tel: (0121) 733 6444
Fax: (0121) 733 6555
Website: www.100s-aupairs.co.uk

An agency which places au pairs with American families for a year. It provides orientation sessions on arrival and support from local co-ordinators. Age range: 18–26. Both males and females are eligible. Also recruits for Camp USA (www.campusa.com).

Au Pair in America

37 Queen’s Gate
London SW7 5HR
Tel: (020) 7581 7311
Fax: (020) 7581 7355
E-mail: info@aupairamerica.co.uk
Website: www.aupairamerica.co.uk

This American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) programme places over 4,000 young people annually with American host families for 12 months. It arranges an orientation course in New York on arrival, accomodation and free air travel to one’s destination, a weekly allowance of approximately $140 plus a study allowance. Support is provided by a network of community counsellors. A $400 deposit is payable which is refunded on the successful completion of the contract.

British Universities North America Club (BUNAC)

16 Bowling Green Lane London EC1R 0BD
Tel: (020) 7251 3472
Fax: (020)7251 0215
E-mail: enquiries@bunac.org.uk
Website: www.bunac.org

This is a non-profit, non-political educational student club with branches on many university campuses throughout the UK. Since 1962 BUN AC has operated general student work exchange programmes and is recognised by the appropriate government agencies in Britain and the United States. It runs similar schemes in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ghana, Jamaica, South Africa and Argentina and works in conjunction with the travel bureau of:

The Union of Students in Ireland (USIT)
19 Aston Quay, Dublin 2
Tel: Dublin 778117
In a normal year it handles up to 10,000 placements.

For participants who register for its programmes BUNAC deals with the paperwork and arranges orientations, insurance and cheap flights to the United States. The programmes are:

Summer Camp USA

This involves working as a camp counsellor (leader) in a children’s holiday camp for up to 4 months. To be eligible for this programme you need to be aged 18 to 35, but not necessarily a student. You need to have experience of working with children. Interviewing starts in November and carries on until early May, but it is a case of the early bird catching the worm: the sooner you apply, the better your chance of getting a placement.

Kitchen and Maintenance Programme (KAMP)

This programme also involves working at children’s summer camps for up to 4 months in an ancillary capacity doing a variety of jobs, such as cooking, doing the laundry, cleaning, site maintenance and driving. You need to be a full-time student and a member of BUNAC, and are expected to attend an orientation session during the Easter vacation.

Work America

This is a more flexible programme which allows you to take almost any job anywhere in the USA for the summer (June to October) enabling you to sample the real America. You must be a full-time student studying for a degree or HND. Gap Year students are also eligible.

Many people find their jobs through the Work America Job Directory obtainable from BUNAC, but there is no reason why you should not make your own employment arrangements. If you can find a private sponsor, you will be able to go to the United States on spec.

OPT USA

This is an internship programme enabling people to do a course-related or career-related placement with an American host organisation in conjunction with the American YMCA’s Internal Program Service.

Camp America

37A Queen’s Gate
London SW7 5HR
Tel: (020) 7581 7373
Fax: (020) 7581 7377
E-mail: brochure@campamerica.co.uk

Camp America (part of AIFS) organises two programmes:

Camp America Camp Counsellor Programme

This programme has been in operation since 1969 and places around 7,000 people a year in over 1,000 camps. It is open to suitable people aged between 18 and 35. The commitment is for 9 to 10 weeks and participants must be able to start in June.

Camp America Campower Programme

This is for younger, less experienced people who do not qualify for counsellor positions, though in this case participants have to be full-time students. Many of the jobs are kitchen jobs, but people with secretarial and technical skills are also needed as are janitors, groundsmen and nightwatchmen.

CCUSA (formerly Camp Counselors USA

Green Dragon House
Unit 4C
64-70 High Street
Croydon CR0 9XN
Tel: (020)8688 9051
Fax: (020) 8680 4539
E-mail: unitedkingdom@ccusa.com
Website: www.ccusa.co.uk; www.ccusa.com

27 Woodside Gardens
Mussclburgh
Edinburgh EH21 7LJ
Tel: (0131)665 5843

The organisation has two programmes:

Summer Camp Work

This programme operates along similar lines to BUNACAMP and Camp America and is for people between the ages of 18 and 30 (including teachers and nurses). Applications are accepted between October and March for the coming summer. The organisation arranges orientations in Britain and in New York and provides free insurance and air fares. The minimum commitment is for nine weeks. International headquarters is at 698 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA94301.

Work Experience USA

An opportunity for full-time students aged 19–28 to gain work experience for up to 4 months between June and September in a job tailored to individual needs. The package includes a job offer, return air fare, insurance, 2 days’ orientation and accommodation on arrival.

Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)

52 Poland Street
London W1V 4JQ
Tel: (020) 7478 2020 and 2000
Fax: (020) 7734 7322
Website: www.councilexchanges.org.uk

Council Exchanges, as it is usually known, is the UK affiliate of a private, non-profit making organisation in the United States which promotes educational exchanges between countries. It offers two work-related programmes:

Internship Programme

Under this scheme students and recent graduates can undertake a period of course-related practical training in the USA lasting up to 18 months. Participants are responsible for finding their own work placements, but Council Exchanges handles all the paperwork, offers insurance cover and provides various support services in the USA including an orientation day.

Work and Travel USA

This scheme is open to students in full-time higher education in the UK, including Gap Year students with an unconditional offer. Participants are able to work during the summer anywhere in the USA, and do not need to arrange their job in advance.

The Fulbright Commission

Fulbright House
62 Doughty Street
London WON 2LS
Tel: (020) 7404 6994
Fax: (020) 7404 6874
E-mail: education@fulbright.co.uk
Website: www.fulbright.co.uk

The Commission promotes educational exchange between the United Kingdom and the United States through its US Educational Advisory Service and the US-UK Fulbright Awards Programme which provides scholarships for postgraduate study and fellowships and scholarships for lecturing or research in the USA.

The US Educational Advisory Service has a reference library which holds several directories of internships in the USA, copies of the Chronicle of Higher Education which lists positions available at US colleges and universities, and information on US education institutions at all levels. Its educational advisers can answer queries regarding any aspect of studying in the USA.

Fulbright UK/US Educational Exchange

The British Council
Norwich Union House
7 Fountain Street
Belfast BT1 5EG
Tel: (028) 9024 8220 ext 226
E-mail: fulbright@britishcouncil.org
Website: www.britishcouncil.org

An exchange scheme for teachers in which they spend a term or a year in an education institution in the US and are paid a salary and allowance. Normally applications need to be received by mid November for the following academic year.

International Association for the Exchange of Students
for Technical Experience (1AESTE)

IAESTS UK, Education and Training Group

The British Council
10 Spring Gardens
London SW1A 2BN
Tel: (020) 7389 4774
Fax: (020) 7389 4426
E-mail: iaeste@britishcouncil.org
Website: www.iaeste.org.uk

Founded at Imperial College London in 1948 this is a worldwide organisation represented in over 50 countries. It offers short-term course-related work experience in three broad categories: scientific (e.g. in a company laboratory or research institute), professional (work designed to improve your professional capabilities) and manual (with little technical content but offering an insight into foreign work patterns and conditions).

The scheme is open to full-time students between 19 and 30 who must normally be nominated by an educational institution or sponsored by a company in the UK. IAESTE welcomes reciprocal placements for incoming foreign trainees. Placements in the United States tend to be of several months’ duration. The organisation works closely with AIPT in the US.

International Employment and Training (IET)

45 High Street
Tunbridge Wells
Kent TNI 1XL
Tel: (01892) 516164
Fax:(01892)523172
E-mail: info@jobsamerica.co.uk
Website: www.jobsamerica.co.uk

3-18 month work placements, for graduates or other professionally qualified persons.

International Exchange Programme (IEP)

Old Rectory
Belton in Rutland
Oakham
Rutland LEI5 9LE
Tel: (01572) 717381
Fax:(01572)717343
Website: www.iepuk.com

Placements of 6-12 months in the agricultural-horticultural sectors with the possibility to renew for 6 months. Communicating in Agriculture is IEP’s American partner.

Mountbatten Internship Programme

5th Floor
Abbey House
74-76 St John Street
London EC1M 4DZ
Tel: (020) 7253 7759
Fax: (020) 7831 7018
E-mail: info-uk@mountbatten.org
Website: www.mountbatten.org

This is a personal development programme started in 1984 which offers work experience in New York City to young people aged 19 upwards (including graduates) with qualifications in bookkeeping, secretarial studies, management and business studies. A year’s internship can lead to an award of the Certificate in International Business (Oxford University Local Examinations Syndicate). A monthly living allowance is payable.

The National Centre for Work Experience

344–354 Grays Inn Road
London WC1X 8BP
Tel: (020) 7833 5520
Fax: (020) 7833 9710
E-mail: ncwe@ncwe.com
Website: www.ncwe.com

US/UK Career Development Programme

This scheme enables young professionals aged 18 and over to undertake up to 18 months’ career-related employment in the USA. Normally relevant qualifications and at least one year’s full-time work experience are required, but hospitality and tourism students in higher or further education are also eligible.

Participants may arrange their own placements through the Centre’s on-line matching service: www.pinpointtraining.org. The programme is administered in the US by the Association for International Practical Training which acts as one’s legal sponsor and provides on-going support on arrival. AIPT is based at Park View Building, Suite 320, 10400 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. MD 21044. Tel: (001) 301 997 2200.

The Richmond Fellowship International

16 Europoint
5–11 Lavington Street
London SE1 0NZ
Tel: (020) 7945 6187
Fax: (020) 7945 6190
E-mail: rif.uk@virgin.net

This voluntary organisation offers people aged 23 and over with qualifications or experience in social work, nursing and teaching to work with the mentally ill, abused children and drug addicts in Florida. Candidates also need a current driving licence.

Winant-Clayton Volunteer Association

St Margaret’s House
21 Old Ford Road
Bethnal Green
London E2 9PL
Tel: (020) 8983 3834
E-mail: wcva@dircon.co.uk
Website: www.wcva.dircon.co.uk

The Association offers opportunities for up to 20 volunteers a year to undertake work on various community projects in New York City or on the East Coast for around two months. The projects include residential and day centres for the physically and mentally handicapped psychiatric rehabilitation centres, play schemes for inner city children and luncheon clubs for the elderly.

Volunteers receive board, lodging and pocket money during their placement, and are normally expected to pay the air fare. However, a few bursaries are available. Applications need to be submitted by early January.

John Winant, incidentally, was the US Ambassador to Britain during the Second World War who brought groups of Americans over to Britain to carry out voluntary social work in association with Revd ‘Tubby’ Clayton, the founder of Toc H.

YMCA International Camp Counselor Programme (ICCP)

71 W 23rd Street
Suite 1904
New York
NY 10010
Tel: (001) 212 727 8800 ext 122
Fax: (001) 212 727 8814
Website: www.ymca.net

This is a programme which recruits staff for more than 400 children’s summer camps, organised not only by the YMCA itself, but also by scouting organisations and individuals.

Some camps cater for disadvantaged and handicapped people or concentrate on teaching special skills.

The age range for applicants is between 20 and 30, though camp staff usually range in age from 18–23. Camps vary in size and some may have as many as 100 staff working in different capacities. The main need is for:

General counselors who live with and supervise groups of 6–10 campers, care for camper health and safety, organise camp activities and assist in specific programme areas.

Skill specialists who organise and teach specific activities. such as swimming, sports or crafts.

YMAK participants – ancillary staff involved in cooking, office work and general maintenance.

In some camps staff may perform a number of different roles.

A placement lasts 9–10 weeks, and you will be provided with air fares, medical insurance, pocket money and support services.

OTHER ORGANISATIONS:

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers

36 St Mary’s Street
Wallingford
Oxon OX10 0EU
Tel: (01491)839766
Fax: (01491) 839646
Website: www.btcv.org.uk

International Voluntary Service

21 Otley Road
Headingley
Leeds LS6 3AA
Tel: (0113) 230 4600
Fax: (0113) 230 4610
E-mail: ivsgbn@ivsgbn.demon.co.uk
Website: www.ivs-gb.org.uk
Offices also in Colchester, Edinburgh and Belfast

UNA Exchange

Temple of Peace
Cathays Park
Cardiff CF10 3AP
Tel: (02920) 223088
E-mail: info@unaexchange.org
Website: www.unaexchange.org

These organisations organise placements of up to one month’s duration often at international workcamps in the United States.

FURTHER READING

Summer Employment Directory of the United States (Writer’s Digest Books).

Internships (Writer’s Digest Books). Volunteer Work (Central Bureau).

Directory of International Internships (Office of Overseas Study, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824).

Advisory List of International Travel & Exchange Programs (Council on Standards for International Education Travel, 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 22091).

Peterson’s Summer Jobs USA (Peterson’s Guides, Princeton, NJ).