Summer 2001 students from Ireland - Edel, Fiona and Laura

Hope Community Resources, Inc.'s (Hope's) international student summer employment program is made possible through use of the 'Travel visa' which allows college students from eligible countries to spend 90 days involved in summer work. It is the applicant's responsibility to secure the visa and ensure compliance with all regulations. Proof of eligibility to work in the United States will be required prior to starting employment.

Hope has one student summer employment position available. The position is that of Individual Support Specialist (I.S.S.).

The window of opportunity for working and travelling under this program is determined by U.S. government agencies. Since those windows are different for students from Southern Hemisphere countries than they are for Northern Hemisphere countries, Hope runs this program year-around to accommodate students originating in the Southern Hemisphere.

Link to Student Manual

Program Requirements

All program applicants must comply with current J visa regulations and meet the following requirements:

- Be able to secure a visitor visa through the local U.S. Consulate
- Be at least 21 years of age at the beginning of the student summer employment and or have a full endorsement from your College Professor
- Participate in Hope's employment / volunteer screening process
- Be able to obtain a criminal history background check from home country prior to the beginning of the student summer employment
- Be C.P.R. and First Aid certified prior to arrival in Alaska
- Have a valid driver's license - preferred (equivalent to U.S. driver's license, not provisional)
- Have active medical coverage prior to the beginning of the student summer employment
- Be able to obtain tuberculin clearance upon the beginning of the student summer employment
- Begin the programme with adequate funding to allow for regular processing of payroll checks (this could take up to four weeks from the first day of orientation)
- Be able to communicate effectively, both orally and through writing, in English
- Be able to perform basic mathematical functions
- Be able to perform the job duties and requirements as outlined on the job description
- While no prior work experience with people who experience a disability is required, it is preferred

Application Process

If you are interested in participating in Hope's international student summer employment program please contact our Deputy Executive Director, Roy Scheller, at 1-907-564-7431 or rscheller@hopealaska.org

Securing a J Visa

While Hope endorses no specific agency, the coordinating agency most frequently used by students working with Hope in the past is Usit Now.