International Staff

Each year, the Global Youth Village hires approximately 5  international staff.  International candidates fill out an application, submit two reference forms, and are interviewed (in-person with a GYV representative, and by phone) before a final decision is made. Those who are selected come to the United States as participants in the “Exchange Visitors Program,” which follows certain guidelines established by the United States Department of State.

These staff, in combination with the U.S. based staff and their international experiences, provides GYV Villagers with a wealth of varied perspectives and experiences.  As mature adults who have already had international travel experience, they provide valuable insights and support to the young people attending GYV for the first time, who may, perhaps be experiencing for the first time what it is like to live in a culture different from his or her home.

Once a hire offer is made and accepted, the Global Youth Village “sponsors” the candidate for a summer work visa (J-1)  through one of several Exchange Visitors programs (Vineyard, Camp America, Camp Counselors USA and others), which provide counselors to summer programs across the U.S.   How the visa process will work is discussed with candidates at the time of interview or when a hire offer is made.

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 additions:

• All positions include room and board, medical and accident insurance (subject to specific limitations), and laundry service.
• A modest stipend is negotiated, ranging between $225-325 per week, depending on the position.
• All staff are responsible for their own transportation costs, whether traveling from abroad or nearby.
• Legacy assists international staff in obtaining their visas, reimbursing for administrative fees associated with the J-1 visa, but NOT reimbursing any transportation costs incurred in securing the visa.  (This includes reimbursement for the $125 fee charged by the US embassy at the time of  interview for a 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.

Learn more about international staff employment.