Each
year, Legacy International's Global Youth Village hires between 5-7
international staff. International candidates fill out an application,
submit two reference forms, and are interviewed (both in-person and
by phone) before a final decision is made. Those who are selected as
staff come to the United States as participants in the "Exchange
Visitors Program," which follows certain guidelines created by
the United States Department of State.
Legacy
hires international staff through one of two methods: its own Exchange
Visitors (J-1) program, or through similar programs run by Bunac, Camp
America, Camp Counselors USA and others, which provide counselors to
summer programs across the U.S. Which method is preferable for an individual
staff member is determined during the interview.
The
terms set by the U.S. government for Exchange Visitors include the following:
*
You will receive a J-1 visa, which permits you to work in the U.S.
as a camp counselor and receive a small amount of financial support.
*
You are permitted to travel in the U.S. for up to 30 days after your
placement at the camp.
*
You must return to your home country at the end of the allotted time
period. It is extremely difficult to extend J-1 visas. Requests for
extensions must be made directly to the U.S. Immigration & Naturalization
Service. Legacy International has no influence or connections for
granting such requests.
Legacy's
Program Benefits
Benefits
are the same for all staff, with some minor additions for international
staff. All positions include room and board, medical and accident insurance
(subject to specific limitations), and laundry service. A modest stipend
is negotiated, ranging between $900-1200 gross, depending on the position.
All staff are responsible for their own transportation costs, whether
traveling from abroad or nearby. In many cases, the salary amount will
cover round-trip transportation costs. Legacy assists international
staff to obtain their visas, reimbursing any administrative fees associated
with the J-1 visa, but NOT reimbursing any transportation costs incurred
in securing the visa.
Other
Programs
BUNAC,
ICEP, Camp Counselors USA, ICCP, and Camp America cooperate with Legacy
to bring other international staff to the U.S. Each one has its own
terms. In general, the applying staff member pays a fee that covers
part of the administrative and/or transportation costs, receives room
& board from the host camp (Legacy), and receives a stipend. Legacy
and the program will help you get your visa.
The
net financial results, whether you travel under Legacy's or some other
program, is approximately the same.
Additional
information is available and will be sent to you if you are selected
to be a staff member at Legacy.
