If you are traveling to the U.S. for the first time, or traveling internationally during your program, there are a few important things you need to know when heading to the airport. International and even domestic flights have heightened security with many new regulations for what you may bring with you on your flight.

Many of you will be flying internationally and will be checking baggage. Be sure to check with your airline to see how many pieces of luggage you may bring with you, as well as the size and weight. If you exceed the weight limit, there may be a checked-bag fee, which can be expensive.

What to Bring With You

Passport, DS-2019 and J-1 Visa: The three most important things to bring with you to the airport are your passport, DS-2019 and J-1 Visa. You will not be able to get into the United States without these. You should carry these documents with you—not in your checked luggage—and you should also have a copy of each item with you.

Courtesy of nyctourist.com

You will receive a few forms during your flight to complete by the time you arrive, including your I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) and your Form CF-6059 (Customs Declaration Form). Once off the plane, you will immediately go to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to gain admission to the U.S. You will tell the CBP officer you are a J-1 Exchange Visitor when you present the following documents: valid passport including your J-1 visa, DS-2019 form, I-94 and CF-6059. You may also be fingerprinted and photographed at this time.

When CBP’s inspection is complete the officer will stamp you DS-2019 form as well as stamp the bottom portion of your I-94 and staple it to your passport. For up-to-date information on clearing Customs, please visit http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/

Traveling During Your Internship

If you are planning to go on vacation or home during your program, there are a few important things you should know in advance.

There are many items you can bring with you on your flight as long as they are checked in your baggage. You may bring bigger sized toiletries of bottles and liquids as well as long as they are in your checked baggage. If you are bringing a carryon bag, you are only allowed to bring 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less of liquids. All liquid items must be put in zip-lock bags. Many sharp items, such as knives or razors, will need to be checked in your luggage, but small scissors are usually acceptable in a carryon. When in doubt about an object, it is always best to check the item. For a complete list of things you may bring in a carry-on or things you will need to check please visit here.

What to Do When You Get to the Airport

When you first arrive at the airport you should check into your airline and receive your flight ticket. At the same time you should also check your baggage, if necessary. You will then move on to security. As you come up to security you will need to place all of the items with you on the conveyer belt. Small items should be placed in bins. If you are bringing a laptop with you, you will need to take it out and place it into a bin of its own. Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag of liquids from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

You will also need to remove your shoes, belts, watches, coats or sweaters and place them into a bin as well. As your items are being checked you will go through a metal detector or a body scanner to check what you may have on your body. This requires you to step into an open machine and raise your arms while the machine scans your body. The process is very quick.

If you have a layover to change flights once you have entered the U.S. from abroad, you should remember that you typically need to receive and re-check your baggage before your next flight.

Traveling During Your Program

During your program you may decide to travel on vacation within the U.S. or abroad for a short stay. You should remember that in order to travel outside of the U.S. during your program you must submit your DS-2019 Form to InterExchange for a travel validation signature before you leave the U.S. Failure to obtain a travel validation signature may result in you being detained by immigration officials for questioning or even denial of entry into the U.S. when you return. The signature is valid for 6 months, so if you travel multiple times within a 6-month period, you do not have to have your form signed each time.

You can mail your DS-2019 Form to us for a signature. Please provide your travel details, and include a self-addressed envelope with the address where you would like your form returned. If you will need your form returned via express mail, you must include a check or money order for $20, made out to InterExchange, to cover the express shipping fees. We recommend you send us your form at least 2-3 weeks before your intended travel date to ensure there are no delays.

If you are in NYC, you may come to our office for a signature. You must call in advance to schedule an appointment to have your form signed so that you can ensure an authorized member of our staff will be available to assist you.

You may travel within the U.S. during your program without travel authorization signature, as well as during the 30-day grace period after your program ends. Also keep in mind that you may only travel within the U.S. after your program ends—if you leave the U.S. during your grace period you will not be allowed to re-enter on your J-1 Visa, as it will have already expired in most cases.

For up-to-date information on what you can bring with you on your flight, please visit http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm. You should also read the Participant Handbook that was sent to you in your acceptance packet for detailed information on traveling.

Courtesy of english-online.at

Anti-War Movement: The Anti-War Movement plays a major part in any study of the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Many Americans did not believe in the war and did not want to see their friends, family members, and fellow citizens be sent to fight overseas. It was also a class war, in part, due to the fact that the majority of Americans being drafted were poor or minorities. Less educated and less wealthy Americans also had little opportunity to avoid the draft. Many Americans believed that war was not the answer and that the government was not listening to them. For this reason, protests around the country became extremely widespread. Particularly on U.S. college campuses, there were efforts to mobilize against the war. Demonstrations were held often and it was not uncommon for the police to be called in to shut them down. Americans also commonly expressed anti-war feelings through music, with popular artists of the time period including Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Dylan writing and performing anti-war songs. The Anti-War Movement ended up having a huge effect on the country. Since so many Americans voiced that they were against the war and the country was not united, it brought about changes in government. As many Americans began questioning the U.S.’s involvement and escalated role in the war, strategy was reevaluated. Eventually troops were gradually withdrawn from the region.

Significance & Impact: The impact and significance of the U.S.’s role in the Vietnam War is enormous. There were many issues regarding veterans of the war. How should the government help them? Many veterans returned to the U.S. and were not respected for their service by Americans who were against the war. Others were given special treatment wherever they went. The Vietnam War and pressures surrounding it eventually led to the end of the military draft. This meant that the U.S. armed forces would be comprised of an all-volunteer force, as it remains today. There were also major implications for U.S. foreign policy. The U.S. was unsuccessful in preventing the Communist takeover of Vietnam and had to reevaluate its strategy and initial involvement in the region. If a future situation were to occur around the world, would the U.S. act differently? In which ways? Many of the debates from the Vietnam War era have resurfaced in present times in the handling of U.S. international operations. A lot of arguments surrounding the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War are relevant today in U.S. foreign policy and politics abroad.

Important People and Terms:

- Ho Chi Minh: A Vietnamese revolutionary leader with Marxist-Leninist beliefs who served as president and prime minister of North Vietnam. Until his death in 1969, he played a large role in founding the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and the National Liberation Front (NLF) during the Vietnam War.

- Viet Cong: A rebel army and political organization operating in South Vietnam against the U.S. and South Vietnamese government. It was known for its guerilla warfare tactics.

- Lyndon B. Johnson: The 36th President of the U.S. who served after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He was responsible for significantly increasing the U.S.’s involvement in Vietnam to 550,000 troops by 1968, from 16,000 in 1963. While this made him very unpopular, he is known for making many contributions domestically.

- Vietnamization: A policy advocated by President Nixon to have the U.S. soldiers train the South Vietnamese troops to protect themselves. The idea was that this would lead to the eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops in Vietnam.

- Kent State: A college campus in Ohio where on May 4, 1970, four students were shot and killed during an anti-war protest. Nine other students were injured in the Ohio National Guard’s attempt to suppress the protest. This had an enormous effect on the country, fueling anti-war demonstrations as students across the country went on strike and schools closed.

- Woodstock: A famous music festival that took place on August 15-18, 1969 with around 500,000 attendees in White Lake, New York. Many people feel Woodstock was the embodiment of the spirit of the time and generation—peace, freedom and anti-war sentiments.

- Proxy war: A war that takes place when two superpowers (in this case, the U.S. and the Soviet Union) use a third party (Vietnam) as a substitute for fighting each other directly.

Facts:

- 58,148 Americans were killed and 304,000 wounded out of the 2.59 million who served, and there were an estimated 2 million Vietnamese deaths.

- Veterans of the Vietnam War represented 9.7% of their generation.

- 7,484 women served in Vietnam of whom 6,250 (or 83.5%) were nurses.

- The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC has over 3 million visitors each year. It also ranks in the top 10 list of America’s Favorite Architecture for the structure’s powerful and reflective design.

Hollywood Heritage Museum: This museum features historic photographs and cinema artifacts from the golden age of Hollywood. Old film buffs will enjoy all of the memorabilia on display.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: The largest museum in the western part of the U.S.! Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this museum is that the collection of artifacts found there span about 4.5 million years in history. Exhibits include the new “Dinosaur Hall” and an insect zoo.

The Getty Center, courtesy of artfortune.com

Getty Center: One of the best parts of this fabulous museum is that it’s FREE. The Getty Center has an impressive collection of American and European artwork, and the building itself is a stunning work of architecture—with modern and unique elements, gorgeous gardens and an impressive view of the city.

Hammer Museum: The Hammer Museum is a contemporary art museum that is run by the School of the Arts & Architecture at UCLA (University of California Los Angeles). It features work by local artists and art students.

Page Museum/La Brea Tar Pits: Believe it or not, in the heart of downtown LA, you can find pits of tar (asphaltum, or “brea” in Spanish) bubbling up from beneath the Earth’s surface. In fact, they have done so for about 40,000 years, revealing fossilized plants and animals from the last Ice Age (mammoths, birds and sabor-toothed tigers, to name a few), which are on display in the museum and laboratory.

Museum of the American West:  This unique museum shares the diverse history of the American West. There are about 21,000 works in the collection. Through various exhibits, museum goers can learn about the various perspectives relating to the culture and traditions of the West.

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA): The main branch of this museum is in downtown Los Angeles, and features predominantly European and American Art, all created after 1940. It currently displays notable works of pop art and abstract expressionism.

Huntington Library & Art Collections:  This institution is known for its collection of 18th century portraits and furniture, mainly British and French. The library itself holds an extensive collection of rare books, old manuscripts, and prints that are sure to delight lovers of literature. There are also beautiful botanical gardens featuring a historic cactus collection.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA): About a million people per year visit this museum for it’s all-embracing collection of art—over 100,000 works. It has everything from contemporary pieces such as sculptures and statues, to Latin American and Asian artwork.

Courtesy of old-picture.com

Though it may be difficult to imagine, Manhattan used to be a hilly region, as the name was adapted from the word Mannahatta in the Lenape Native American language meaning, “island of many hills”. The streets there were later paved as the hills were flattened, creating the city we know today. Some names have changed over the years, but many still remain. The city itself was originally a Dutch colony and referred to as New Amsterdam. It wasn’t until the British took over, that the city was renamed New York, as it is known today. Below you can find some interesting facts about some of the major streets that have served the city from the beginning.

Allen Street – Named after Captain William Henry Allen, who died during a naval battle in the War of 1812.

Astor Place – Named after John Jacob Astor, who was once the richest man in America. He was a merchant and an investor.

Battery Place – This area was once the site of the strategic military outpost of the New Netherlands settlement, built to protect the harbor from invasion. Named after the battery of firearms that protected the island.

Bowery Street – Bowery is derived from the Dutch word for farm. Formerly known as Bowery Lane, it connected farms and estates from the outskirts of the city to the center of the Dutch settlement. Bowery, spanning the entire length of the island, is one of the oldest thoroughfares of Manhattan and existed before the Europeans even arrived.

Bowling Green – Named because the area used to be exactly as the name implies, a green for bowling. This was also the site where the Dutch General purchased the island of Manhattan from the natives for 60 Dutch Guilders, the equivalent of $24 today.

Broome Street – Named after John Broome, a merchant who started trade with China and imported 2 million pounds of tea to the colonies, and lieutenant governor of the city in 1804.

Canal Street – This street was named after the wide canal that was built where the street is today to transport the polluted waters from the ponds on the island to the river. Not only did the island used to have hills, but it also had large ponds that quickly became polluted during the industrial activities in the 19th century. The ponds were drained, and the Canal became so dirty that the city covered it up, becoming Canal Street.

Essex Street – The English heritage shows through as this street, along with neighboring Suffolk and Norfolk streets, are named after British counties of the same names.

Houston Street – Named after a congressional delegate from the State of Georgia in the 1780’s, named William Houstoun. This street is pronounced How-stin, different from the Texas city.

Lexington Avenue – Named after the famous Battle of Lexington in 1775 during the Civil War.

Maiden Lane – A street in the financial district, this street was the site of a fresh water stream where all the women (or maidens) of the Dutch settlement would wash their clothes.

Pearl Street – This street runs along the original shore of the East River, and was named after the abundant oyster shells found naturally along the shores of the rivers surrounding Manhattan.

Stone Street – This street was named as such in the mid-1600s, as it was the first road to be paved with stone. Elite Dutch families lived along this street, and today it is lined with popular restaurants and bars catering to the financial workers in the area.

Stuyvesant Street – This is one of the oldest streets in Manahattan, named after the Dutch Director General of New Netherlands, Peter Stuyvesant.

Times Square – Named after the New York Times in 1904 when the esteemed newspaper moved its headquarters into the square. Before this, it was called Longacre Square, named after a carriage-making district in London, as it used to be a center for similar activities.

Wall Street – This street was once was the northern border of the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam. A wall was built along this border to keep out invaders! Today it is the financial capital of the U.S.

Water Street – This street became the new East River shoreline after Manhattan extended into the river using landfill from the leveling of the hills on 18th Street.

Las Vegas is a popular vacation spot because it offers a variety of entertainment for everyone. Whether you want to spend your time at the pool, catch as many shows as possible, or make side trips to the Grand Canyon, Vegas can satisfy all interests.

Weather

Courtesy of wikitravel.org

Las Vegas weather will beckon you to go play outside. With more than 300 days of sunshine every year, the odds that the weather will be good are in your favor. The average highs range in the 50s and 60s for the winter and up to the 90s and 100s in the middle of summer with 100% fun all year round! Peak months to visit Las Vegas are in spring and early fall to catch the most moderate weather.

Transportation

There are a few ways to move around on the Las Vegas Strip: by foot, bus, monorail, shuttle or taxicab. Walking is the most popular means of traveling especially around the Strip. There are also taxis available to make your travel easy and cheap. Most hotels will offer taxi services; just ask at the front desk where you can catch transportation to your destination.

Where to Stay

The best time to visit Las Vegas is during the week when hotel prices are significantly lower than on the weekend. Most hotels offer packages, some including meals, casino credits, or show tickets. Hotels directly on the strip tend to be more expensive but are closer to the action. No matter when you go, though, you should be able to find a great deal on a hotel in Vegas, and you probably won’t be spending much time in your room anyway with all the fun things to do! For great places to stay, visit here.

Things to Do and See Around Town

Pools:

Palms Pool – Located at the Palms Casino Resort, this is an outdoor playground featuring two acres of swimming pools. Up to 3,000 guests can enjoy the pool, live concerts, DJs and 27 Cabanas.

Rehab pool – Located in Hard Rock Hotel, Rehab is one of the destination areas of Las Vegas. Known for Sunday daytime events, Rehab is sure to be your cool down spot.

TAO Beach – Located in The Venetian, this outdoor oasis featuring 40-foot tall bamboo trees transports visitors to a Balinese escape.

Bellagio Fountains – A must-see attraction. With shows every half hour, the Fountains provide a water show to opera, classical and Broadway tunes that will “romance your senses”.

Shopping: Caesar’s Palace is a great place for all-around shopping! Come discover the treasures of the Roman Empire with some of the world’s best designers of men’s and women’s fashion, accessories, furnishings, dining and so much more. From Jimmy Choo to Louis Vuitton you will not be disappointed. For more shopping options, visit here.

Las Vegas Boulevard: This is a major road in Las Vegas Valley of Nevada, best known for the Las Vegas Strip and its casinos. The boulevard serves mainly local traffic and runs the length of the Las Vegas metropolitan area. As the Boulevard leaves the city of Las Vegas at Sahara Avenue it assumes its unofficial name the Las Vegas Strip for the next four miles. If you are on a budget, you can spend a lot of time on the Strip just going in and out of all of the hotels—each has a different theme, attractions, shopping, casinos, and dining options that can meet a variety of budgets. And at the end of the strip you will find the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.

Gambling: You must be 21 years of age to gamble in a casino in Vegas. Some casinos will let you walk through to your destination if you are younger than 21. Try your hand at a few games!

Old Las Vegas: If you’re interested in “Old Vegas”, take a walk through Fremont Street. Here you will find old hotels like the Goldengate, the oldest, circa 1906 as well as Fremont Street casinos such as the Golden Nugget or Binion’s. Interested in some classic Vegas entertainment? Check out the long time running production Jubilee!

Amusement Rides:

Stratosphere: Strap into the Big Shot and prepare to be shot 160 feet in the air at 45 miles per hour as you overlook the Las Vegas Valley. You will be catapulted from the 921-foot high platform to a height of 1,081 feet and down again. Experience a gut-wrenching four Gs of force on the way up, and feel negative Gs on the way down as your legs dangle in the Las Vegas skyline.

New York New York Roller Coaster: The Roller Coaster will lift you up 203 feet, drop you down 144 feet and leave you coasting at 67 mph. This Las Vegas ride experience simulates a jet fighter’s barrel roll while taking you on the famous “heartline” twist. Individual tickets cost $14.

Additional Attractions: Vegas offers many adventure for all ages and interests alike! Bodies The Exhibit is just one option available. For more, start here.

Must Eats

Buffets
Buffets are a great way to have a filling meal and can make the most of your money. The Bellagio offers a great buffet all day long with prices ranging from $15.95 to $29.95 depending on the time of day you go. Another talked about buffet is at the Wynn Las Vegas with prices similar to the Bellagio. You can even get a Champagne Brunch buffet for $41.95 as well if the feeling hits! Check out the hotels around you for their brunch information.

If you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, though, Vegas has many options to meet your interests.

Alize is located at 4321 W. Flamingo Rd and is notably ranked as one of the 5 highest restaurants in North America, being on the 56th floor of the Palms Casino & Resort. The French cuisine and world-renowned wine cellar and cognac collection is sure to please any diner for a special occasion or just a night on the town.

Andre’s at the Monte Carlo has been given Best Restaurant honors from Michelin, Zagat, Conde Nast, Triple A and Frommer’s. This French restaurant has customers leaving night after night with rave reviews and a satisfied palate.

Il Mulino New York located at 3570 Las Vegas Blvd South has been pleasing guests for more than 20 years with their Italian cuisine. Chef and founders Fernando and Gino Masci were born and raised in Abruzzo, Italy and have the ability to transport you to another world while dining in their exquisite restaurant.

Bar Masa located in Aria Resort & Casino has been known as an unrivaled Japanese restaurant. This legendary hot spot offers two separate dining spaces with an option to sample your choice of modern Japanese food from an a la carte menu. Come enjoy the intimate and serene atmosphere while enjoying the purity of Masa’s cuisine.

Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare is located in Encore Hotel & Casino at the Wynn . You can dine indoors with rich décor or outside in private cabanas surrounding a lagoon. This 2012 Forbes Four Star Award winner features fresh Mediterranean seafood that is sure to please! Joel Robuchon Restaurant at the MGM Grand is known to have redefined Las Vegas fine dining.

Joel Robuchon was named France’s Chef of the Century by the esteemed Gault Millau restaurant guide. Reservations are recommended for this hot spot and the menu offers tasting menus or a la carte catering to your preference.

Nightlife

TAO: Located at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino at 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South. At this hotspot you will find a 20-foot tall Buddha statue, an infinity pool filled with Koi fish, eight private skyboxes with mini bars and a 40-foot long outside terrace with views of the strip.

LAVO: Located in The Palazzo, LAVO overlooks The Strip, affording one of the best views in all of Las Vegas. LAVO nightclub offers one of the most intimate yet energetic dance floors in Las Vegas. LAVO is deemed a “must-go” for those who love great food, music and dancing.

Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub: Located in The Cosmopolitan at 3708 Las Vegas Blvd, Marquee offers you 62,000 square feet of over-the-top extravagance. This venue, which opened on New Year’s Eve 2010, has become the most popular new space in Las Vegas. This nightclub is coupled with a Dayclub featuring infinity pools, 3-story bungalow lofts complete with cabanas, living quarters and party deck on top. They are also known for their “Boom Box” room with its vast glass window-walls overlooking the Las Vegas Strip. Pure: Located in Caesars Palace at 3570 Las Vegas Blvd,

Pure is claimed to be one of the most beautiful clubs in the world and has even been dubbed “Las Vegas Mega-Club of the year”. The establishment offers three venues in one, each featuring a different DJ, sound system and style to accommodate everyone’s taste.

Vanity: Located at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino at 4455 Paradise Road, Vanity offers you an upscale nightlife adorned with pearls and hand cut crystals surrounded with antique mirrors, velvets and deep satins. The 14,000 square foot venue offers 60 VIP booths and a terrace overlooking Hard Rock Beach Club.

Shows: Las Vegas is known to have the widest selection of shows to make any member of the group or family excited. The shows range in interest as well as cost. Check out the shows playing and see what interests you. The 6 top-selling shows currently playing in Las Vegas are: Viva Elvis Cirque Du Soleil, Blue Man Group, Variety Show, Terry Fator, Absinthe and Le Reve. You can check out ticket pricing online here.

Side Trips

Grand Canyon: Named one of the Seven Wonders of the World, this mile deep canyon is visited by nearly 5 million people each year. The South Rim is the most accessible part of the park and is open all year. Stop by the Grand Canyon for some breath taking views!

Hoover Dam: This Dam is the highest concrete dam in the Western Hemisphere, and it is located in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River on the border between Arizona and Nevada. Its popularity not only comes from the fact that it was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression but also for its unique views. Stop by for a tour during your trip!

If you know of some great areas or attractions that we’ve missed, please leave comments and suggestions along with your tips on navigating the city!

Who?

George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and 1st President of the United States.

Courtesy of newyorkcitystatues.com

What?

George Washington is often referred to as the father of the United States, for the role he played in the founding of the country. He served in the American Revolutionary War as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and under his military and political leadership, the United States gained their official independence from Great Britain in 1783. In the years following the war, Washington helped lay the foundation for the U.S. government as it is known today. He presided over the 1787 writing of the U.S. Constitution, the document that provides the basis for the laws governing the country. He also won the presidency in a unanimous vote in 1789 and would go on to serve two terms as the first President of the United States. The overarching ideas he is known for include preserving the liberty of the newly freed nation and improving the government’s overall infrastructure. Washington advocated for a national bank, a system to pay off the national debt, and an effective tax system. In this way, he hoped to keep the newly freed country together and to promote a new sense of nationalism. He also warned against sectionalism and partisanship. Unfortunately, this last goal was not realized, as after Washington left office, the U.S. did form political parties and remains deeply divided politically today.

Where?

Washington spent his early life in the state of Virginia and retired there after his two terms as U.S. President. Washington was in fact inaugurated in New York City, and he and his Vice President John Adams governed from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The area now known as Washington, D.C. did not become the capital of the U.S. until July 1790. Washington himself played a leading role in the decision to locate the permanent national capital in the District of Columbia, which would come to be his namesake. Washington is the only president that did not live in the White House, as New York City was the U.S. capital at the time of his inauguration, followed by Philadelphia. George Washington’s famous Mount Vernon estate in Virginia is a fantastic place to visit if you are ever in the Washington DC area. In fact, it is featured on our Top 10 List of U.S. Historical Sites to Visit!

When?

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 and died December 14, 1799 at the age of 67. Born into a wealthy family in Colonial Virginia, Washington started out as a soldier fighting in the French and Indian War and became a lieutenant in the army by the time he was 22. During the American Revolutionary War from 1775-1783, Washington fought for independence as the Commander-in-Chief of the army. He led the army to victory and the U.S. gained its independence. He was then sworn into presidential office (a brand new position) on April 30, 1789 after winning 100 percent of the electoral votes. Retiring after two terms as President, Washington returned to his Mount Vernon Estate where he died December 14, 1799 from a throat infection.

Why? So why is George Washington an important American to know? For starters, his face is on every U.S. one-dollar bill! George Washington is one of the most significant American historical figures, not only for his role in founding and governing the young nation, but for his leadership style, political ideas and revolutionary (no pun intended!) vision for the United States of America.

Did You Know?

• The nation’s capital, along with 1 state, 31 counties and 17 cities are named in Washington’s honor.
• A common misconception is that George Washington had wooden teeth. He actually wore dentures that were made of either walrus or elephant ivory and were fitted with real human teeth. Over time, as the ivory got cracked and stained, it resembled the grain of wood.
• George Washington did not attend college. He was home-schooled by his older half brother.
• Washington married Martha Custis in 1759. They never had children.
• Washington loved ice cream so much that he had ice cream coolers installed in his house!

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/georgewashington

Take care of yourself: If you start to feel overwhelmed in or outside of the workplace, you will need to be sure to take care of your emotional and physical well-being. Your first step is to get moving! Aerobic exercise is a hugely effective way to lift your mood, give yourself more energy, sharpen your focus and also help you to relax. Exercising before or after work can help you have a productive day while also releasing any stress you may feel.

Eat well! Make food choices that will keep you going throughout the day. Having low blood sugar can make you feel sluggish and irritable. Eating the wrong foods or too much food can make you feel tired and lethargic. Keep your mood and energy up by eating breakfast every morning, as well as making sure to eat good protein with fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Also, drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Read more tips on eating well here.

Sleep! Getting the right amount of sleep each night is vital to having a productive day at work. Stress can sometimes cause insomnia or an inability to sleep, but a lack of sleep can cause even more stress and leave you feeling overwhelmed. If you sleep well during the night, you will also have less trouble waking up on time and can avoid rushing to work or being late which can cause added stress. Be conscious of your alcohol and nicotine intake. While alcohol may temporarily decrease your feelings of stress or anxiety, too much can cause even more worry as it wears off. Excessive alcohol also results in less restful sleep, and drinking to relieve work stress may cause alcohol abuse or dependence. Make sure to give yourself time to unwind at night and avoid watching TV or using the computer within an hour before you go to sleep. Maintaining a consistent schedule can also be helpful for managing sleep problems.

Minimize stress during the work day: There are steps you can take to make sure your workdays run as smoothly as possible. One important tip is to keep your daily schedule balanced between work and personal time, including social activities and downtime. Keeping a balance with all the things going on in your daily life will help you keep any negative feelings at bay. When you have a good balance that includes social activities and downtime, you will be more productive at work.

Another important factor is to not over-commit yourself at work. Don’t take on responsibilities that you are not ready to perform or cannot fully commit the time to and avoid trying to fit too much into one day. Make sure you also have the support you need for projects, whether it is from co-workers or your supervisor. Remember: You are here to learn as an intern or trainee—not to fill your employer’s labor needs. Make sure you prioritize your tasks from the most important to the least important and don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help or additional training if you need it. Also, though you are required to intern or train for a minimum of 32 hours per week, you should not be spending all of your time in the U.S. in the office. Part of the cultural exchange experience is having time to explore the U.S. and meet new people. If you are interning or training for more than 45 hours per week, please let us know so that we can speak with your supervisor about decreasing your hours so you have enough time to get out and enjoy the U.S.

It is also important to have open communication with your colleagues as well as your supervisor. If issues or unexpected problems arise, it will be easier to make a plan of action if you have good communication between the people you work with directly. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or request guidance on a project. If you become overwhelmed with your duties, discuss what you are feeling and work with someone to create solutions to help you be more productive, whether that is in delegating tasks or helping you prioritize your work. Open communication is key for creating your own success.

Make sure you take a lunch break! Try to stop working during lunch to give your mind a mental break. Eat in the cafeteria in your building or take a walk to a new cafe or park to get away from your desk and get your body moving. Taking breaks during your workday will help keep your motivation up and give you some time to relax.

Let yourself be successful: Put yourself in a position to be successful. Make sure you show up at your internship or training program on time and keep your workspace organized so you can easily find projects and supplies. Keep to-do lists and cross off items you complete so you remember what still needs to be accomplished. If possible, plan your day ahead of time so you are able to complete all necessary tasks. Always try to think positively about the work you are doing. Negative feelings will bring you down and drain your motivation and energy. Always remember, no project or decision is ever perfect and you should try to resist perfectionism with your work. Set realistic goals for yourself and always do your best!

Homesickness can also cause stress, and stress can cause homesickness. If you feel homesick while on the program, check out our blog post on how to cope with homesickness.

Culture shock is another big stressor for participants. If you are feeling any culture shock while on your program, visit our blog post on how to overcome culture shock.

The answers will vary depending on where you live in the United States. For example, a bottle of Coca-Cola may be called a bottle of pop in Ohio but in Massachusetts, it will be referred to as soda. English is the prevailing language in the United States, but since the country is so large and geographically diverse, each region has developed its own manner of speaking. Each manner of speaking is called a dialect and most linguistics experts use the area in which you live to predict what kind of dialect you use.

The histories of each dialect are as diverse as the differences in words. Geographic features such as mountains and rivers drive people into defined areas and influxes of new populations introduce new expressions to the each dialect.

Some of the more famous dialects include the New York dialect, which you will find in New York City and in surrounding areas. For much of its history, New York was famous for being the destination for immigrants from all over the world. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, most of the immigrants would come from parts of Europe like Italy and Ireland. Later there would be an influx of southern African Americans and then immigrants from the Caribbean, including Spanish-speaking Latino countries. So you will find words associated with these different groups, like the word bodega, which comes from the Spanish word for storeroom. New Yorkers use it to mean a small, corner grocery store.

Another well-known dialect is the Midwest dialect. It is identified by influences from Scandinavian and German-speaking people who settled in the area. The characteristics you will find here deal more with pronunciation of words rather than specific word types.

Finally, there is the Southern dialect, which is the largest dialect group in the U.S., according to PBS.org. Some linguists consider this dialect to be closest to the original English that the British settlers brought over when they settled in the United States. Southern English is famous for its drawl, which is a feature that some Southern speakers use that lengthens vowel sounds in words. This makes some drawl speakers articulate some words more slowly than other English speakers but this is not always the case. A favorite feature of Southern English is the “Fixin’ To” idiom. When someone from the south says they are “fixin’ to” do something, it means that they are about to do it. For example: “I’m fixin’ to go for a drink!” U.S Presidential candidate Mitt Romney recently made headlines for using the common Southern expression “y’all,” which is used in place of “you all.”

Some experts spend years comparing and contrasting American dialects. Compared to some older languages, American English sounds more consistent as you travel across the country. The differences are subtle but that subtlety can prove tricky in its own way. Keep your ears open for any language usage that you are not familiar with and always ask questions. You’ll learn a lot about the area you are visiting and perhaps more importantly, you’ll avoid misunderstandings!

Advice from Previous Interns/Trainees:

• Apply Early

o “Start early enough to apply through InterExchange although the program is well organized. The processes itself don’t take too long. Still, you have to fill out a lot of forms and it takes a while to collect all the information and sending it back and forth.”
o “Always start apply for the visa process as soon as possible and plan your trip well to make it most enjoyable and productive.”

• Be Open-minded

o “Come to the United States open-minded and try to immerse yourself as much as possible in the American culture.”
o “Definitely come to work with a positive mindset and always try your best to perform and provide excellent work quality.”
o “Be curious, accept the challenge and gain a lot of important experience abroad! Get to know the way other people work and live, that will help you to develop understanding for other cultures, corporate cultures and the people in general. Be open minded and you will learn a lot, you will get to know interesting people and learn skills that will help you in your future life and your further career.”

• Be Positive

o “If you are coming on this kind of program: prepare to do your best!!! You have to shine!”
o “Don’t worry, be happy, because if you think you will be surprised, you will be more surprised than you thought…”
o “Don’t be negative!”
o “Always have a positive attitude. Even if you’re having a bad day, stay positive. Your body language and ‘vibe’ can be a big key factor in succeeding.”

• Do Your Best at Work

o “BE PRO-ACTIVE! Can’t stress that enough. Don’t just treat the work experience as a 9-5 regular job. Make the most of it. Understand the organization you intern at, ask for extra work if you know you can handle it […] If you show initiative, employers will notice.“
o “Don’t be afraid to ask questions at your internship and offer to help or read over things wherever possible. I was given many extra tasks by showing interest and enthusiasm. This also made them trust me more and see what I was capable of, which meant they kept giving me better tasks and taught me to complete other tasks.”

• Participate in Activities and Meet New People

o “Go and participate in a weekly social event to built up your social life.”
o “Try anything thrown your way, even random events. Follow the advice of locals – they know the best places to be.”
o “Join sports teams and always say yes to occasions.”
o “Get a Peer Mentor, they are definitely the best resource.”

• Make the Most of Your Time in the U.S

o “Don’t waste your time; enjoy every second of your internship! Be young, be joy, be active!
o “Live your life like you always wanted to.”
o “Be yourself, work hard, enjoy your stay and make it the best time of your life!”
o “Time will fly away, so make sure to do the things you want to do and not postpone things!”

Memorable Experiences:

We also ask participants to share a memorable experience they had while in the U.S. The following is some of their answers and suggestions for what you might want to do while in the States!

• On LA: “There are so many things to do. First of all discovering the city like a tourist, there are so many things to discover. Then discover international food thanks to the variety of restaurants. You can go to the beach, hiking, to the mountain. Try many kinds of sports or activities. Shopping of course. Don’t miss bars and clubs!”
• “I went to New Orleans for Mardi Gras Festival, it was a very memorable experience, now I know why everyone is so crazy about it. It was FUN!”
• “I went to Key West with my friends and we were driving 2 convertible cars through this endless bridge surrounded by the ocean, amazing memories. There are beautiful sunsets and a very relaxed atmosphere in Key West. Strongly recommended! P.S. Friends make the world go round!”
• “Yosemite national park!!!! People have to go there it’s gorgeous. I was blown away.”
• “Taking my first wave ever with my room mate next to me giving me a high five while standing on the surfboard, with an amazing sunset over Catalina Island and dolphins playing in the waves few feet away from us is something I will never forget.”
• “My first celebrity interview with Tyra Banks, I was so nervous. But the funny thing was, I was so nervous I didn’t check the date of the press event properly and turned up a day early. A silly mistake but one I learnt from.”
• “The first week I arrived I have been invited to a trip in Lake Powell in Arizona. We stayed for 4 days on a boat, having fun, wakeboarding, tubing and discovering amazing canyons.”
• “Having chicken fried deer at a Texan farm and sharing lunch with local people before going out in overalls to feed the deer, shoot cans with rifles and drive through the property in a pick up truck.”
• “So many times while going to concerts, bars or even walking around in the streets, I met some celebrities, which was totally random but awesome when you come from a French countryside area (Neil Patrick Harris, Lenny Kravitz, Paul Rudd, Charlotte Gainsbourg). I got to speak with them and share drinks with them which was so unbelievable and made all of my friends back home somewhat jealous ”
• “I did a west coast road trip in December. I rented a car with a friend of mine from France and we went from San Francisco to San Diego in one week. It was a real great experience.”
• “Moving in with two American room mates was a great experience and an occasion to share and exchange as much as possible about our different lives, our interest, our cultures.”
• “My best memory would be my American football match experience. I really enjoyed it because it was new for me. I loved the game and the show around it with cheerleaders and all fans screaming to support their team. It was really emotional.“
• “My whole stay is a memorable experience, which I will never forget in my life! I grew up in a lot of ways. I am more self-sufficient, I learned a lot about myself and I started believing in what I am doing!”

You can read about more advice and memorable experiences from our 2010 program participants here. Good luck!