YMCA Summer Work & Travel USA (2009)

Work & Travel (WAT) program

- travel program for tertiary students to do a job in the country, and travel at the same time.

- up to 4 months, during summer vacation (around Apr - Aug).

Organised by external party (i.e. not a school initiative, like exchange or internship).

some companies:

- Speedwing.org: http://www.speedwing.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=12&Itemid=75 (able to choose employer)

- http://www.askmgt.com/

- http://edvocation.com.sg/ is a new company that provides flexibility and
cheaper alternative for Work and Travel USA program.

- YMCA: http://www.internationalymca.org/SWT/Home.shtml (not able to choose which employer u want, and not able to choose which time period)

Consideration:

- know which state you wanna work in

- know which area of job scope you wanna work in

- know when you wanna work for

***** plan your destinations and locations u wish to visit early to save money on travelling.

Reference blog: http://www.worktravelusa.blogspot.com/

Preparation Timeline (Pre-trip):

Apply for Non-immigrant visa (US Embassy)

Apply for Leave of Absence (LOA)

Book air-ticket.

- consider the shortest time period (lesser transit stops)

- mid-week flight is cheaper (plan to leave/return on Tue/Wed/Thur)

- book btw 7-14 days in advance

- accept non-direct flights with one/two stops

- any in-flight entertainment?

- shop ard for the best deals (check two/three travel websites)

www.kayak.com

www.priceline.com.sg

hotwire.com

orbitz.com

sidestep.com

for student fare - STA Travel (www.statravel.com.sg)

- booked Return trip air-ticket: SIN to JFK (NY), S$1878 (include air tax S$455).

- have to simultaneously Apply for International Student Card

http://www.statravel.com.sg/cps/rde/xchg/sg_division_web_live/hs.xsl/isic-student-card.htm (S$15)

Other kind of International Student Card:

http://www.isecard.com/products/cards/index.html (S$40)

www.zuji.com.sg

booked domestic one-way air-ticket: JFK (NY) to destination, S$254 (include S$20 booking fee).

Notify Overseas Travel

- NS (www.ns.sg)

- MFA (http://www.mfa.gov.sg/internet/eregister/eregister.html)

SMU Travel Declaration (in view of recent Swine Flu situation)

at least 14 days before departure,

- confirm with US employer

- confirm accommodation, address

- confirm who will pick you up at airport, and what time.

_____________________

:: Standard Packing list ::

A checklist of what to bring when travelling. Things to bring:

• T-shirts (quantity depends on # of days). e.g. 3 days = 4 T-shirts
• Shorts
• Undergarments
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, bathing gel, facial wash, shaver, comb, hair wax)
  note - Toiletries, perfume, liquid stuff - put in sealable bag (must check-in)
• Bathing towel
• Socks
• Sports shoes
• Sandals/slippers
• Jacket/wind-breaker
• Water-bottle
• Ziplock or Plastic bags (for keeping used clothes)
• Torch-light with batteries
• Small bag for travelling
• Writing materials: pen, notebook
• Cash or EZ-link card (for transportation)
• Mobile phone, with charger
• Lock
• Traveller's adapter
• Multi-plug power extension cable
• Credit cards and foreign currencies
• Copy of credit card # and contact # of issuing companies
• List of things in check-in baggage, in case need to fill out a claim form
• Travel documents: Passport, airline tickets

Optional:

• Insect repellent
• Sun-block lotion
• Sun-glasses
• Body powder
• Clothes hangers
• Mug
• Plates, fork and spoon
• Rags (for cleaning)
• Shoe polish and shoe brush (for black leather shoes)
• Poncho or small Umbrella
• Cap
• Swimming attire
• MP3 player
• Digital camera
• Sleeping bag
• Travel pillow
• Travel guide book or phrase book

Check luggage criteria for different airlines

Laptop - carry-on to the cabin (don't check-in with luggages)

* Put some cash and basic "survival stuff" in carry-on luggage, in case check-in luggage is missing.

Luggage Tag - Name, Phone #, Address

also place contact infor inside the luggage.

* When doing the luggage check-in, double-check the airline's luggage tag (correct city, flight #, airport code).

* upon arrival at accomodation place, check for any existing damages (take pic as evidence).

Check flight status repeatedly before the flight - know your flight number and time.

Check in early if you wish to request window, aisle or other preferred seats.

Check in early - 
With baggage: 2.5 hours before departure
No baggage: 1.5 hours before departure
Board early - 
60 mins to departure: Proceed for boarding
40 mins to departure: Check-in will be closed
10 mins to departure: Boarding gate will be closed

Pick up your luggage first, before heading to the duty-free shops.

Expenses:

- Air-ticket

- Vaccination

- Insurance

- Visa

- Accommodation

- Transportation

- Meals (mostly not included - US$5-7)
if wanna cook-in, bring your own utensils.

Make friends with people of the trip.

- get to know more people to travel together.

:: Make the most out of this experience! ::

Travel Plan:

- Orlando (Florida): Disney's World (theme park)

~ Epcot Center (space launch experience)

~ Lilliputian (Honey! I shrunk the kids)

~ World Showcase (country pavillions, man-made lagoon)

Universal Studios (theme park)

~ thrill rides (movie-themed)

Chelsea Premium Outlets (designer stores)

- Bahamas - idyllic beach getaway.

(half-hr flight from Flordia)

- Boston - home of Harvard and MIT.

- New York

Rockefeller Centre - overlook NY city, esp. the skyline, with Empire State Building.

Metropolitan Museum of Arts (pay any amt u like)

____________________________________

- Income tax (rem. to apply for rebate).

CitySearch.com

WhatsOnWhen.com

TimeOut.com

fodors.com (travel guide)

Bus infor - mta.info

:: New York ::

travel.mtanyct.info

nycsubway.org

MetroCard (5-ride): USD10

Unlimited (1-day): USD7

Unlimited (7-day): USD24 (have to wait for 18 mins, for next trip)

WhereNY.com (events happenings)

NY.com

NYCvisit.com

iLoveNY.com

NYsale.com

______________________________________

Resources

Pay-As-U-Roam (additional 20% surcharge)

USA Roaming Rates

Voice Call (Per Min)			SMS
Incoming4	Outgoing Local	Calling Singapore	Send	Receive
S$1.80	S$1.70	S$3.50	S$0.60	Free

(Source: http://home.singtel.com/consumer/roaming/default.asp?ctry=USA&network=gsm%20900%20autoroam)

List of networks that support GlobalDial 121, Prepaid Roaming, Roaming Virtual Top-Up & Safe Arrival SMS

Country	Network	Network Display
USA	AT&T Wireless#	AT&T Wireless / USA38 / 31038
	T-Mobile USA#	T-Mobile / TMO / Vstream / Omnipoint / Aerial

Safe Arrival SMS
http://home.singtel.com/consumer/products/mobile/travelling_overseas/valueadded_services/safe_arrival_sms_overview.asp
Dial: * 135 * (country code) (mobile number) #

- e.g. *135*6591111111#

Your friend will then receive the following message:

"I have arrived safely in (country). Contact me via SMS as I can send & receive SMS."

> SingTel Mobile postpaid customers (including Pay-As-U-Roam customers) are charged $0.15 per Safe Arrival SMS sent

GlobalDial 121

Dial: * 121 * (country code) (mobile number) #

Singtel Internet SMS Chat (free): http://sms.singtel.com/internetsms/
SingTel myBill: https://mybill.singtel.com/login/login.asp


FXCheatSheet® US Dollar (USD) to Singapore Dollar (SGD)
http://www.oanda.com/convert/cheatsheet?exch=USD&expr=SGD&result=1

FXHistory®: historical currency exchange rates

http://www.oanda.com/convert/fxhistory?date_fmt=us&date=mm/dd/09&date1=05/10/09&exch=USD&expr=SGD&lang=en&margin_fixed=0&format=HTML&redirected=1

Current Time in the USA (Florida)

Weather Info

http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USFL0393?cm_ven=WOWs_voap&cm_cat=Generic&cm_ite=link&cm_pla=Cityname

USA Map

(States) http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&split=0&ei=tb4XSq-BJZOGkAWM4zU&layer=x&g=panama+city+airport+map&ll=38.68551,-96.855469&spn=32.217582,56.25&z=4

(Florida) http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&split=0&ei=tb4XSq-BJZOGkAWM4zU&layer=x&g=panama+city+airport+map&ll=30.195586,-85.713787&spn=0.07003,0.109863&z=13

> http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=100835208112709114746.0000011285adbf20ec717&hl=en

Fatwallet.com (US - cashback shopping, coupons, deals, freebies)

saw these 2 links from http://leonefabre.blogspot.com/2009/04/house-sitters-and-house-sitting.html (expat in S'pore)

- www.mindmyhouse.com

- www.housecarers.com

Video: "Guy Walks Across America" uploaded by walkUSA on Jul 20, 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzRKEv6cHuk