Summer Jobs in the USA

If you are interested in working in the USA you might be interested in the following offer:

• it is possible to choose between working as a counsellor or campower
• free return flights from London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt
• free board and lodging (of course)
• free transport to your camp
• pocket money (350$-450$, depending on your qualification/job)
• time for independent travel (8 weeks or more, Visa-regulations)
• first night in a hotel (orientation meeting, you'll meet many other participants)

I participated in the program three years ago, and it was a great experience. The work is sometimes hard/exhausting, but you feel very good afterwards. The payment is not very good, but consider what you would have to pay for the flight and for lodging and food if you payed for a two-month trip yourself. Furthermore, you can (must) take part in many activities done in the camp, so you'll work with Americans and lots of other foreign students all the time, which is definitely the best way to improve your speaking skills and get to know the American life.
Another disadvantage is that you have to pay about 500 DM to Camp America, which you get back as part of your pocket money (you don't get more money!). I met many people (from Germany and other countries) who participated in similar programs with other organizations, and I found out that Camp America provides the best service and is even a bit cheaper than the others.
However, the most powerfull argument for a camp job are the romantic campfire nights, of which I had plenty. It's simply a wonderful feeling to listen to guitar music and to talk to Americans, especially if the guitarists are as good as the ones I was listening to.

Prerequisites:

• you must be available by mid June
• for Campower: you must be a student
• you must be able to communicate in English (it should be enough when you are able to understand this text)
• you must go to an interviewer (you will get a list of interviewers in your country)
• you must be prepared to work hard (NOT: 'hardly'!), but you'll do it together with many great guys from all over the world
• sometimes you are expected to stay for more than 9 weeks (e.g. 11 weeks), you'll receive extra payment for that (but nobody can force you to stay longer, it is up to you)

What is a:

counsellor

Counsellors are required to speek a good English, because they are the ones who work with the kids in the camp. You can work as a counsellor in general or as a specialist (they get more money). Examples for specialists are lifeguards or nurses; in general: people with a special skill.

campower

Campowers work in the kitchen, as maintenance staff, and the like. Language requirements are less strict because you don't need to talk to the kids that often. Campowers can be a bit isolated from the counsellors, if you get into the wrong camp. Here is an example for what campowers do at the camp (89K).

Money matters:

Camp Americas Address in the UK

Visit 'Camp America' and the 'American Institute for Foreign Study' on the Net

My (two) Trips to America - Slide Show and Overview