01
Work
Step into a real American workplace, learn a new rhythm and understand what dependable seasonal work asks of you.
Summer Work Travel · USA
Work a summer.
Live another life.
Spend a summer working, living and exploring in the United States through Summer Work Travel.
What is SWT?
More than a summer job.
Summer Work Travel gives eligible university students a way to spend their long academic break living and working temporarily in the United States.
The job creates a daily rhythm. The exchange happens around it—in shared housing, local streets, new friendships, ordinary errands and the travel you plan along the way.
WorkLiveMeetTravel
Four ways in
Choose the HowTo SWT path that fits where you are now.
They are not the same thing: some people need human support, some want to research independently, and some need a tool that can carry context forward.
01Current service
Companion
Human support, live sessions and a full SWT preparation journey.
Explore path 02Coming soonDIY
Build your own SWT path with structured research and planning support.
Explore path 03Free v1.3.0Skill
A published Agent Skill for decisions and execution across the SWT journey.
Explore path 04Member productPro
Persistent lifecycle context for people managing SWT across conversations.
Explore pathThe experience
What could your American summer actually feel like?
02
Live
Share housing, commute, shop, cook and make everyday decisions for yourself. The ordinary parts are where a place starts to feel real.
03
Meet
Work beside local colleagues and young people from other countries. Your summer grows through the people you keep seeing every day.
04
Travel
Use the time available within your sponsor-authorized program and travel rules to see more of the United States beyond your workplace.
Work settings
Where could you work?
SWT placements can appear across a range of seasonal and temporary settings. These are examples of work environments, not current openings or guaranteed placements.
01Hotels & Resorts
02Restaurants & Food Service
03Retail
04Amusement Parks
05Seasonal Attractions
06Outdoor / Recreation
Job availability, pay, schedules and housing vary by employer and destination.
Eligibility
Can you join?
These criteria come from the currently verified program information already used by HowTo Cross. A designated sponsor makes the final eligibility and placement decision.
01
Active post-secondary student
You must be enrolled in and actively pursuing a degree or another full-time course of study outside the United States.
02
At least one semester complete
Applicants must have successfully completed at least one semester or its equivalent.
03
Functional English
You need sufficient English to interact successfully in an English-speaking environment.
04
Job arranged when required
Participants generally need a pre-arranged job before entry unless they are from a Visa Waiver Program country.
The real side of SWT
Not every day feels like a movie.
- You may work long shifts.
- Housing may be basic.
- Transportation can be inconvenient.
- You will need to manage your own money.
- You may feel lonely or overwhelmed sometimes.
- Plans may change.
That is also part of living somewhere else.
Money & practical reality
Let’s talk about the whole picture.
A useful SWT plan looks beyond the wage on a job offer and includes the costs and decisions around it.
Before you go
- Program-related costs
- Visa / official fees
- Flight
- Initial living money
While you're there
- Hourly wage
- Working hours
- Housing
- Food
- Transportation
- Taxes
What you may take away
- Gross income
- minus housing
- minus living expenses
- minus taxes
- minus initial costs
Actual earnings and expenses vary by employer, location, schedule, housing and personal spending.
Verified figures will be added here when employer, sponsor and destination data are available.How it works
From understanding the route to preparing for departure.
HowTo Cross helps you understand and prepare for the journey. Official eligibility, placement, documents and program decisions remain with a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor.
- 01
Discover SWT
Understand the exchange, the work and the realities before choosing a route.
- 02
Apply
Share your background, university status, goals and availability.
- 03
Interview & Job Process
Prepare for sponsor and placement conversations.
- 04
Program Documents
Complete the documents requested by the designated sponsor.
- 05
Visa Preparation
Understand the process and prepare carefully for each official step.
- 06
Pre-Departure
Plan housing, money, transport, communication and arrival.
- 07
Fly to the USA
Arrive with your sponsor contacts and practical plan ready.
- 08
Work & Live
Build a routine, meet people and handle everyday life.
- 09
Travel
Explore only within the dates and rules confirmed by your sponsor.
- 10
Return Home
Come home different.
HOWTOCROSS SUPPORT
You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
HowTo SWT Companion
A year-long practical support program covering preparation, interviews, departure, U.S. life and reflection.
Explore HowTo SWT Companion- 12 + 1
- live sessions
- 2 × 20 min
- personal English mock assessments
- ¥299
- per person
Good to know
Questions before you decide.
What is Summer Work Travel?
Summer Work Travel is a temporary work-and-cultural-exchange experience for eligible university students during the long break between academic years. Seasonal work is one part of a summer built around everyday life and cultural exchange in the United States.
Can I choose my job?
The available roles and placement process vary by designated sponsor, employer and destination. Before making a decision, ask for the role, location, pay, expected schedule, housing and transportation details in writing. The designated sponsor is responsible for approving the placement.
How much can I earn?
There is no single reliable number. Your gross income depends on the employer, wage and actual schedule; what remains also depends on housing, transport, food, taxes, initial costs and personal spending. Review a complete written cost and job breakdown before deciding.
Where will I live?
Housing is not automatically included and arrangements vary. The designated sponsor must consider suitable, affordable housing and reliable transportation and provide assistance when those arrangements are not otherwise available.
Can I travel after working?
Any travel must fit the dates, immigration rules and instructions confirmed by your designated sponsor. Ask the sponsor to verify your exact timeline before booking transport or accommodation.
What does HowTo Cross help with?
HowTo Cross helps you understand and navigate the journey—from comparing routes and preparing for interviews to visa-process guidance, pre-departure planning and practical U.S. life preparation. HowTo Cross is not a J-1 sponsor and cannot guarantee a job, visa or income.
Program rules can change. Verify current requirements with a designated sponsor and the official sources.
Your next step
Start with where you are now.
Tell HowTo Cross what you already understand, what you are preparing for and which questions still feel unclear.