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International Student Centers

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CENTERS

The Department was recently informed that  ‘international student centers’ – businesses that claim to be operating to support J-1 SWT participants, but that are typically profiteering from their presence in the U.S., have been cropping up in various parts of  the United States.   These businesses are distinct from the community-led efforts such as the International Student Outreach Programs in Rehoboth Beach, DE; Ocean City, MD;   Jersey Shore, NJ; Myrtle Beach, SC; etc.
 
These Student Centers offer exchanges participants services for a fee (i.e.  airport pick up services, trips to Social Security offices, housing, social activities and jobs).   If done right, these Centers fill a need and provide valuable services. However, it is well known among exchanges stakeholders that the operators of the businesses are shady and a source of many of the fraudulent job offers and housing issues that come up in the SWT program. In one situation, to gain legitimacy, they claimed to be a partner with a well-know sponsor, which is not the case.
 
I wanted to share this information with you  so that you are aware of the concern that has been raised and in the event you wish to inform your program participants to prevent them  from being taken advantage of on their arrival in the United States.   You also may wish to remind t your participants  to this possibility and reiterate your program instructions  (perhaps in pre-arrival or arrival orientations).   If you are working directly with an International Student Center or other individual or business to provide these services to your participants, you should inform all participants of that organization.
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