U.S. Embassy, London
April 08, 2019
007/19
@USAinUKPress
Today, the U.S. Embassy in London welcomed hundreds of young UK citizens as they applied for their J1 Visas that will allow them to work as counselors in summer camps across the United States. The program has existed for over 50 years, allowing tens of thousands of British citizens to spend a summer working in the American outdoors, followed by 30 days of travel around the United States. The program creates a unique opportunity for Americans and Brits to meet, live and work together and helps reinforce the Special Relationship for a new generation every summer. Counselor Day celebrates the opportunities available to applicants to the J1 Visa program; and provides advice, expertise and encouragement to those about to embark on their American summer.
Alumni participants of the J1 program describe the program, working and traveling in the United States, as a positive experience that has led to life-long friendships with the Americans they worked with and taught over the summer. Many returned to their camps to work for several additional summers.
Each year U.S. Embassy in London facilitates the travel of more than 10,000 young UK citizens to work in summer camps and other summer recreational businesses in the United States. They provide critical labor to United States’ recreation industry. In addition to work experience, the program also allows the participants to travel in the United States for up to a month following their work assignments.
The following organizations attended Camp Counselor Day:
Camp America: Camp America recruits international staff for American summer camps. Established in 1969, it is are the biggest international summer camp staff provider recruiting thousands of young people each year to work on hundreds of summer camps across the USA.
CCUSA: CCUSA is the UK’s top summer camp and international work adventure specialist. CCUSA is an American owned company whose head office is in California with three offices based the UK.
Fulbright: The US-UK Fulbright Commission hosts both the Fulbright scholarship programme and the EducationUSA advising network for the UK. Fulbright focuses on opportunities and exchanges between the USA and the UK.
LinkedIn: LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network with more than 610 million users in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.
BUNAC: Work America gives participants the opportunity to live the American dream all summer long. They help participants place jobs and secure J-1 visas. Once your Work America job they have 30 days to tour around the country.
Brand USA: Brand USA’s mission is to increase incremental international visitation, spend, and market share to fuel the nation’s economy and enhance the image of the USA worldwide.
Photos of the event available on our Flickr album!
Ambassador Johnson said:
“I’ll never forget the excitement of flying to Britain for my first big travel adventure as a young adult. I want young Brits to have the same opportunity to come to the United States, so this is a huge priority for our team at the U.S. Embassy in London. Every year, we issue thousands of visas to young British travelers who want to come to America, make new friends, and spend the summer of a lifetime in our beautiful country.”
Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs Karen Ogle said:
“Welcome J1 applicants! Work hard, have fun, travel off the beaten path, and enjoy all America has to offer! “
Summer Camp alumni Matt Goshko said:
“I have very fond summer camp memories of learning from and working with UK citizens from all over the British Isles, as well as hosting them in our home when traveled the country after camp. More than twenty-five years later, I am still in touch with many of these friends. In fact, now that I am posted to London I meet up with one British colleague with whom I used to run the camp talent shows. And just last month, our summer camp hosted a reunion in London where Brits and Americans traveled to from far away as Newcastle, Barcelona, and Boise, Idaho. Our camp’s unofficial motto is ‘This shall be a place of welcome for all.’ I genuinely believe participants in the J-1 program will feel that same welcome wherever they end spending their summers.”
BACKGROUND
For more information about summer camp visas please visithttps://j1visa.state.gov/basics/
By Weblord | 30 April, 2019 | Categories: Press Releases, U.S. Embassy London | Tags: Camp Counselor Day
