Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms USA
( 415-621-3276;
www.wwoofusa.org
) Represents more than 1500 organic farms in all 50 states that host
volunteer workers in exchange for meals and accommodation, with opportunities for both
short- and long-term stays.
Women Travelers
»
Women traveling by themselves or in a group should encounter no particular problems
unique to the eastern USA. Simply use the same common sense as you would at home.
»
In bars and nightclubs solo women can attract a lot of attention, but if you don't want
company, most men will respect a firm 'no, thank you.'
»
Physical attack is unlikely, but if you are assaulted, consider calling a rape-crisis hotline
before calling the police, unless you are in immediate danger, in which case you should
call 911. The 24-hour
National Sexual Assault Hotline
( 800-656-4673;
www.rainn.org
) can help.
»
The community website
www.journeywoman.com
facilitates women exchanging travel
tips, with links to resources. The Canadian government also publishes the booklet 'Her
Own Way,' filled with useful general travel advice; click to
http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/pub-
lications
to access it.
Work
Seasonal service jobs in tourist beach towns, theme parks and ski areas are common and
often easy to get, if low-paying.
If you are a foreigner in the USA with a standard nonimmigrant visitors visa, you are ex-
pressly forbidden to take paid work in the USA and will be deported if you're caught work-
ing illegally. In addition, employers are required to establish the bona fides of their em-
ployees or face fines. In particular, South Florida is notorious for large numbers of foreign-
ers working illegally, and immigration officers are vigilant.
To work legally, foreigners need to apply for a work visa before leaving home. Student
exchange visitors need a J1 visa, which the following organizations will help arrange.
For nonstudent jobs, temporary or permanent, you need to be sponsored by a US em-
ployer (who will arrange an H-category visa). These are not easy to obtain.
American Institute for Foreign Study
( 866-906-2437;
www.aifs.com
)
BUNAC
( 020-7251-3472;
www.bunac.org
)
Camp America
( in the UK 020-7581-7373;
www.campamerica.co.uk
)
Council on International Educational Exchange
( 207-553-4000;
www.ciee.org
)
