Here are some tips that I could share with you based on my experience during my internship and I am writing this with the intent of helping you, my fellow SIHTM students, in the best way I can that would reach you.
1. Flights
Be smart with your flights. After receiving your confirmation number from your chosen agency, check in with the airlines you are having your flight with so that you can choose your desired seat. If you go to the comfort room often, choose an aisle seat so that you won’t disturb other passengers. In addition, check your layover time. If your layover time exceeds 5 hours, I advise you to exchange some money for food and water so Php 1,500-2,000 will do. Some airline shops and exchange counters are not open 24 hours. In case you forgot to exchange money and the exchange counters are closed, you can ask locals or other Filipino passengers (if there are any) to exchange money with you. Be careful in doing this and check the exchange rates online. If you think that no one is willing to do this, politely seek help from airline personnel.
2. Documents
Meeting a lot of people from different backgrounds is unquestionable when arriving in a foreign country. In line with this, be careful with the information that you are sharing. Keep your documents safe and make sure that you don’t lose sight of them. Your passport is your main identification paper that no one but you could keep. Before departing, make sure that you have two printed copies of your documents, have online copies, and have a friend or relative that has a copy of your documents.
To those wanting to opt for USA Internship, list all of the documents you need before, during, and after your internship. To make things easy, make a checklist. Upon arriving in the United States of America, make sure to retrieve your i94 and check in with your SEVIS. Some Human Resource departments may ask for a printed version of your i94 and you can get it printed by asking your front office colleagues.
3. Housing
For housing, you need to know whether your contract is participant-arranged or not. Participant-arranged housing means that you are responsible for looking at and leasing a house or apartment. Check if the housing is fully furnished or not since the costs vary depending on availability and season. If it is by your host company, you should mind the cost that you will be shouldering as well as the utility costs per month. Every J1 senior can attest that participant-arranged housing is hard especially if you did not search or inquire about it before your departure. Additionally, get ready to pay for the cost. Do not be surprised if the average amount that you will spend for rent including the utilities will go around $650 (and that’s even a shared room). The leasing department will also require you to pay for administration, security, and other utility costs as stated in your lease.
4. Finance
In my first few weeks of living in the United States of America, I had a tough time adjusting to payment methods. Almost 90% is digitalized, meaning you need to have an online bank account as well as your credit/debit card with you. Cash can only be accepted at certain shops, restaurants, and even hotels. So keep in mind to set up your bank account as early as you can so that you can go to various places. Your physical card can be received only after a week of applying. In some cases, if you have applied at a bigger bank or their main branch, you can already secure your card (lucky you!).
5. Transportation
In your first few weeks, things will feel new and uncertain. You need to do research about the location of your host company as well as your housing. Also, look at your contract to see if your host company will pick you up at the airport or if you will have to arrange your ride for yourself. To have internet access, make sure to secure your own personal number so that in case of emergencies, you can reach out for the right people or you can search for what you need to do. To prepare you for the system of the United States of America, almost everything is digitalized. You will definitely need your online banking account to access other means of transportation applications such as Lyft, Uber, and others.
6. Work
Prepare yourselves physically and mentally. With the COVID-19 situation, we only had online classes, meaning, less physically demanding tasks and responsibilities. For soon-to-be front desk associates, you need to be physically ready to stand for the whole day, without a break for 8 or more hours. Inevitably, you will be given menial tasks that would make you run around the property but that’s normal. You need to be flexible in your workplace.
The orientation and start day that you are expecting might be different from the reality that will be given to you. Ready yourself to take on challenges that will definitely help you establish yourself in a slow but experienced-filled process.
You will be meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds. For my OJT experience, I worked with Americans, Greeks, Burmese, Israeli, Mexicans, and a lot more. Always be polite and friendly. Mind your words and make friends. They could probably recommend you to the best places to visit as well as the ones you can avoid.
7. Hospitality
For the first few weeks that I worked with my host company, all of the tips and tricks that I learned from the University of Baguio - School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management came in handy. Although you are going to learn a whole new system, learning the basics will get you a long way. Smiling, greeting, and knowing the basic standard operating procedures will give you a lead start on your journey. Always put the guest first, empathize, and be a critical thinker. You got this, hospitalitarian!
Some of these might be different with your internship but I hope it helps. Good luck on your journey! Aim for the dream!
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