Land of the free
Work and travel in the USA
Land of the free refills. And this free advice. It will never be this easy to live and work overseas in the USA again. Do it in your twenties while you can.
Coming to America
Why work and travel in the USA?
Thanks to Netflix and nightly boxset binges, America already feels familiar to travellers. But off screen, it’s so much more. A land of endless highways and canyon-studded horizons, snow-covered peaks and surf-filled beaches, neon city skylines and mom ‘n’ pop one horse towns – America is a ‘hand-sewn on the porch swing’ patchwork quilt of unique and undiscovered places.
Need to know before you go
What it pays
What you earn in the USA depends on the experience you choose. If you're heading to summer camp with our sibling brand, BUNAC, you’ll earn a minimum $2,250 camp pocket money with meals and accommodation included. For Work USA 4 months, the hourly rate differs per state, but our US summer employers typically pay between USD $11-18/hour – often with discounted staff accommodation and tips. For Work USA 12 months and Intern USA, there is uncapped earning potential – with your salary reflecting the industry you are working or interning in.
When to go
In line with Northern Hemisphere summer holidays, Summer Camp USA and Work USA 4 months run between May/Jun and Sep – with 30 days after your job or camp placement finishes to travel. For Work USA 12 months and Intern USA, these are year-round experiences (within the visa window after you graduate), giving you the chance to experience the States in all its seasonal glory – from ski season winters to surf beach summers. Not all nationalities will qualify for every USA visa, so check the exact eligibility requirements for each experience below.
Where to go
Most J-1 work and travel visas allow you to live anywhere in the USA. For Work USA 12 months and Intern USA, our JEN-setters tend to be directed by their industry and opportunities – so big cities like NYC, Chicago, San Francisco and LA are popular places to settle. For Work USA 4 months, our summer employers are scattered across America – in country clubs and resorts from Cape Cod to Cali. The good news is that all America visas give you at least a 30-day grace period to travel around the States either before or after your job or internship – often both!
Savings summers since 1972
News: BUNAC is the new home for JENZA Camp!
JENZA and BUNAC have always been the same team with the same summer camp program. Confusing, right? Like 'meeting your identical twin at camp' confusing? Head to our BUNAC page for all the Summer Camp USA intel.
JENZA and BUNAC have always been the same team with the same summer camp program. Confusing, right? Like 'meeting your identical twin at camp' confusing? Head to our BUNAC page for all the Summer Camp USA intel. TO BUNAC CAMP
All usa experiences
Who you gonna call?
Let’s talk working in America
Get some facetime with our amazing JENZA Support Squad. When they’re not posing for pool pics, they’re making your work aboard adventures happen with their endless enthusiasm and mad traveller skills. These include: parent whispering, visa geekery and the ability to pack a backpack in 30 seconds flat.
Travel you can trust
Our Extra Mile Promise
Every JENZA experience has been shaped by our Youth Advisory Panel, roadtested by our travellers, and backed by 60+ years of work abroad expertise. But if we still don’t rock your world, we’ll refund the part of your JENZA program you’re not happy with. T&Cs apply
JENZA Travel International Ltd, trading as JENZA, is a company registered in Dublin, Ireland with Registered Company No. 707281 and registered address at 29-31 South William St, Dublin, Ireland, D02 EY96.