Application Instructions for 'Interns' and 'Trainees'

• Locate YMCA's 'Complete Application Packet' and 'DS-7002' at the following address: http://www.internationalymca.org/TraingAndInternships/Forms.shtml 
• Review all 14 pages of the 'Complete Application Packet'. You do not need the 'Host Company Information' section, (pages 1-4) nor do you need pages 11 or 12. 
• Complete pages 5 - 9 using the instructions below. Gather attachments on the page 10 checklist.
• Download the Crotched Mountain Application form. Return this along with the YMCA forms to - Crotched Mountain. Do not send any forms to YMCA.

Pages 5 to 9

1. Page 5. Enter full name as it appears in your passport. Your address must be completely accurate and be a location where someone can sign for package delivery. To avoid confusion on visa documentation, only use Standard English language symbols. For example: German language symbols like, "ä" and "ß" should be written as "ae" and "ss".

2. Pages 5 & 6 – Review the Internship Eligibility guidelines to determine your eligibility as an 'Intern' or as a 'Trainee'. Education Information: If you check 'Yes' to the question "Are you currently a student", then as an 'Intern' candidate you skip all of page 6. If you check 'No' to that question, then you are either an 'Intern' candidate who has graduated within the last twelve months, (complete and initial the first two of the top three statements on page 6) or you are a 'Trainee' candidate (initial the last of the top three statements on page 6). 'Intern' candidates must provide proof of education completed. 'Trainee' candidates must provide proof of work experience.

3. Page 7. Be certain that answers to questions 1 – 5 complement the standard Crotched Mountain Training Plan(s). YMCA will not accept answers that discuss 'work', 'working', or getting 'experience'. The visa category only permits programs that offer 'Training', 'Learning', 'Observing', 'Gaining Knowledge In', etc. Also, 'Learning English' is not a valid purpose for participation in this program and should not be listed in these essay questions. Please use proper English. YMCA may decline an applicant if the standard of English used to answer these questions indicates that the applicant possesses inadequate English skills to participate successfully in the program.

4. Page 8 - Budget Worksheet: Applicant must complete ALL sections. The following is to help you complete this form: Use the Program Calendar to count the total number of weeks and total number of months between the arrival date and the last scheduled day of training. 'Gross Income' is calculated by multiplying $150 by the total number of weeks (do not include School Vacation weeks – no stipend). See Step # 11 below regarding 'Personal Funds'. YMCA Fees are located at http://www.internationalymca.org/TraingAndInternships/Fees.shtml Use the total number of months to calculate the 'Program Fee' and 'Insurance Fee'. Enter $0.00 for 'Accommodation Upon Arrival', 'Transportation to host site', 'Broker Fee', 'Deposit for Apartment', 'Transportation to/from training site' and 'Utilities'. For 'Apartment monthly rent' multiply $30 by the number of weeks. A 'Food' budget of $35 per week is suggested (multiply by total number of program weeks). Decide on costs for 'Application documents', 'Transportation to US Embassy', 'International Airfare', 'Personal' and 'Entertainment' expenses but remember to always include the amount estimated for the Total (not weekly or monthly) duration of stay.

5. Page 9. Read and sign the 'Participation Agreement'.

Page 10 and Supporting Documents

1. Page 10. Gather, and check off, all relevant 'Attachments' listed. See more information below.

2. Do not complete the DS-7002. Just print one and sign before returning with the YMCA Application pages.

3. Passport copies. Include only the 'details' page and any pages that have visa or immigration stamps.

4. Photocopies of previous DS-2019's (formally IAP-66 forms) – only if you used a J-1 visa for previous visits to the US.

5. Proof of Education and Police Background Checks. If you have already submitted these to Crotched Mountain then you do not need to send new copies.

6. Page 14. Three 'Reference Forms' are required unless original references have already been submitted.

7. Page 12. The 'Interview Report' has already, or will be, completed during your interview.

8. Page 13. The 'Proof of English Proficiency' must only be completed if English is not the official or primary language of your country of birth.

9. Proof of Work Experience. This requirement is only for 'Trainee' candidates only.

10. Disregard YMCA's instructions on Personal Funds. Follow Step number 11 below.

11. "Personal Funds": YMCA advises that the US Government requires trainees to have $1300 per month available to them while in the USA. This is not a fee. It is money each trainee has available somewhere, as s/he may need it. The Net Income from our stipend does not meet this requirement and you enter the balance on the Budget Work Sheet as "Personal Funds". To calculate this amount, simply multiply $1300 by the number of months in the USA and subtract the Net Income amount. Applicants must provide evidence of having these Personal Funds available, in case they need them. Those that have sufficient personal funds usually supply a copy of their notarized bank statement. For those that do not have sufficient personal funds, YMCA will accept a notarized letter of support from a parent stating that s/he will have funds available to the applicant, if the funds are needed. The letter should read: To Whom It May Concern I, _____________________, father (or mother) to (Applicant's name), do hereby guarantee that I shall make available (Personal Funds Amount) to (Your name) as needed during his (or her) participation in the J-1 (Exchange) visitor program at Crotched Mountain Foundation. Signed, Dated and notarized.

12. It is understood that the YMCA fees are to be paid by the applicant, not by Crotched Mountain. Successful candidates are sent a Fees Page by email attachment which provides the option of paying YMCA fees by Credit Card or by International Money Order.

13. Note that 'Start Date' is the date required for travel to the USA and medical insurance coverage must begin on that day. That is the Wednesday before the Monday on which orientation training begins. Please see the Program Calendar for the final semester 'End Date'. Participants leaving the US that day will finish training on the previous day. Those traveling in the US after the program ends have one extra day of training.

14. The J-1 (Exchange) visitor program allows trainees to travel in the USA for up to 30-days after the 'Date Training Ends' date. YMCA does not provide insurance coverage after this 'End Date'. Those wishing to avail of this travel period must purchase extra medical insurance from Gateway, http://www.gatewayplans.com/gw_usa/index.cfm. This insurance is purchased 30 days before the end of the training program and is requested by the participant for the length of time (up to 30 days) s/he will be staying in the U.S. beyond the 'End Date'. For rates and enrollment information, please contact Gateway directly via e-mail at mailtgateway@marshpm.com, or by telephone at (800)-282-4495 or (202)-367-5097. Crotched Mountain requires a copy of the extra insurance policy.

15. Return YMCA and Crotched Mountain applications along with supporting documents to address below on or before the deadline (See Program Calendar). Contact Crotched Mountain if more time is needed but keep in mind that it takes 2-3 months from when we receive the completed YMCA application to when successful candidates receive US visas:

Crotched Mountain Foundation Intern & Volunteer Services,
Attn: Kevin Harte, Director.
1 Verney Drive Greenfield, NH 03047 USA

16. After interviews using web camera, successful candidates receive an acceptance email with attachments which must be completed and returned. Crotched Mountain will review the entire application package for accuracy and completeness before sending it to International YMCA's office in New York.

17. If approved, YMCA will send an acceptance email to the applicant and to Crotched Mountain and will send to the applicant, by FedEx mail service, the DS-2019, Trainee Manual, SEVIS fee receipt, insurance information, social security request letter, and signed training plan copy. Upon receipt of the YMCA acceptance email, candidates may immediately phone their nearest US embassy and schedule the visa appointment. This appointment may also be scheduled online. It may be 30+ days before an appointment is available. Please note that the FedEx package from YMCA must have arrived before the appointment date. Do not pay the SEVIS fee to the embassy; this will already have been paid to YMCA as part of the Program Fee. If an embassy visa form has the question 'Current Occupation?' do not answer "unemployed". We have been informed that embassy officials may decline visas for applicants who are not a student or an employee or involved in some research or volunteer activity or some part-time employment.

18. Candidates bring the DS-2019 form, the SEVIS fee receipt, evidence of personal funds (Step # 11 above) and other required documents (as instructed by YMCA) to the embassy on the appointment date. On the appointment date there may be several hours wait, though the appointment itself usually last only a few minutes. The U.S. Consulate issues the J-1 Visa or rejects the trainee's J-1 Visa request and some days later the passport (hopefully with the visa) will arrive by mail. Additional visa fees now total about $100 payable to the US embassy.

Both International YMCA & Crotched Mountain recommend that applicants NOT make travel plans or buy a plane ticket until the J-1 visa has been issued by the U.S. embassy. However, begin checking flight availability now!!

Note: Those planning on driving in the USA should arrive in the US with their Regular and International driving licenses and a Driving Record from their local state agency.