DUSHANBE, May 29, 2013, Asia-Plus -- Students from Tajikistan considering the Summer Work Travel program should know that the program is a short-term cultural exchange program, press release issued by the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe on May 29 says.

Participants should not expect to earn enough money to send remittances back to Tajikistan.  The Summer Work Travel (SWT) program has provided thousands of international college and university students an opportunity to visit the United States and gain insights into American culture and values.

To qualify for an SWT visa, program applicants must demonstrate their ability to fund travel to and from the United States, and all expenses that may be incurred before receiving their first paycheck.  Before applying to the program, applicants should carefully consider the costs, including facilitating agencies'' fees and visa application fees, bearing in mind that money earned through the program often covers only modest living expenses in the United States.

Potential applicants for the SWT program also must meet the following requirements: SWT applicants must be students enrolled in and actively pursuing a degree at an accredited post-secondary educational institution. They must have successfully completed at least one semester of postsecondary academic study; SWT applicants must speak conversational English; and SWT applicants must have a confirmed job offer obtained through a U.S. sponsor.

Tajik SWT applicants are only authorized to work in the United States during the official Tajik university holiday period of July 1 – August 31.