Work & Travel USA (WAT) is without doubt, one of the best ways to discover the USA. 

Managed by the US State Department, it gives students from around the world the opportunity to visit the USA to work and travel during their term break. The program gives you cultural exposure and international work experience.

It is a huge country, with many different places to visit and things to see, if join WAT you can actually travel in a very lowest budget compare to you go for only traveling, as you earning USD in past 3.5 months. 

USA timezone is totally different with Malaysia, we need at least 1-3 days to adjust our jet lag and weather adaption. So, for university student who have American dream go for a gap year and travel around USA with low budget, WAT is the best choice.

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in Work & Travel USA, you must meet the following requirements:

• At least 18 years old
• Enrolled in a full time course at a state-recognised institution of tertiary education
• Able to function in an English speaking working environment
• Have a pre-arranged job and a minimum of US$800 available to support yourself upon arrival in the USA. (After register agent will guide no worry)

Let's go through how the application going on. 

#1 Choose An Agent

In Malaysia, there have 3 agents who you can apply through, which is OOTB, Speedwing and Infinity Abroad. Selected an agent that suitable your personality is important as you need their guidance from start to end of the whole journey.

My conclusion is, 

• Choose OOTB if you are person who is independent, neat and able proactive keep track everything with agents from time to time.
• Choose Speedwing if you are the person who don't wish to check everything and just hope agent provide "一条龙服务” so you no need worries anything.
• Choose Infinity Abroad if you wish have more special choice on job selection, as this agent their employer list is way different with another 2 agents.

After compared, I select OOTB due to their price is cheapest (they have early bird discount around RM50 to RM100 if you register early). I know my personality is even have agent guidance, I will still follow up the things my own with them. So far for me OOTB service is quite good, even a lot of my friend said Speedwing better because they really just sit at there and agent gaodim everything. So as I said, just choose agent that suit you, there is nothing for good or bad.

Next, you may question me back, hmmm, can I go apply myself without through the agent? 

The answer is No. It's unlike New Zealand or Australia working holidays, USA Work And Travel, we need depend on USA local sponsor like CIEE, Geovision and Intrax who provided the employer list and help us throughout the whole journey in USA. Those sponsor they will only direct contact with your agents, but not personal. If you direct go for CIEE or Geovision, they will still ask you finding your own country authority agency.

#2 After Select An Agent, go their fb request fill application form

#3 Interview with agents,  initial payment & job selection (OOTB only other agent not sure)

#4 Attend job interview via SKYPE (OOTB only other agent not sure)

#5 Received Job Offer Form, Pay Balance Program Fee and Start DS-2019 Application (OOTB only other agent not sure)

#6 Visa Application - DS160  and schedule for visa Interview (OOTB only other agent not sure)

#7 Visa Interview at USA Embassy (OOTB only other agent not sure)

#8 Pre-departure Orientation (OOTB only other agent not sure)

#9  Flight Ticket Purchase & Preparation