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During the Program
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During the Program

During the Program

Once participants arrive in the United States and begin their camp placements, your role as an International Cooperator remains essential. While the preparation and placement stages are complete, the program truly comes to life during the next few months — when participants live, work, and immerse themselves in the camp and American culture.

This section provides guidance on what happens after arrival, including mandatory check-ins, common challenges participants may face, and how to handle any issues that arise. Our shared goal is to ensure that each participant’s experience remains positive, safe, and aligned with the spirit of cultural exchange that defines InterExchange programs.

We rely on you to help set expectations before departure and to remind participants that InterExchange remains their primary point of contact while in the U.S. By understanding what to expect and how we support participants throughout the summer, you’ll be better prepared to answer questions, address concerns, and encourage participants to seek help early if needed.

Participants will be required to complete a check-in form within 10 days of arriving at their camp and then every 30 days thereafter. The first check-in is needed to activate their program in SEVIS and confirm their safe arrival at camp. Check-ins are completed through their InterExchange dashboard, and they will receive email reminders about it.

We closely monitor the responses, keeping a close eye out for any red flags or signs that someone is unhappy with their program. InterExchange will reach out to participants and camps to attempt to resolve any issues that may arise. You can be confident that we will do everything in our power to ensure their program experience is a positive one.

The check-ins ask them to rate their overall experience with the program, their experience with their host camp, their housing experience, and their transportation experience on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being ‘poor’ and 5 being ‘excellent’.

We also ask them to share the cultural activities they have participated in and to share photos of their experiences. This not only helps us understand their experience better but also allows us to share their unique cultural experiences with others.

If any participant is struggling at camp, has any questions or concerns, they should be encouraged to contact InterExchange immediately. We believe in a proactive approach, and they do not need to wait for their check-in to reach out. Their well-being is our top priority.

International participants often face personal and cultural challenges during their time at camp. Cooperators should be prepared to discuss these topics with participants before they depart, so they arrive with realistic expectations and strategies for coping.

Homesickness

Many participants may feel lonely or miss home, especially during the first weeks at camp. This is a normal adjustment period as they adapt to new surroundings, routines, and relationships.

Ways to support participants in preparing for homesickness:

  • Remind them that everyone—staff and campers alike—may feel homesick at some point.
  • Encourage them to keep an open mind and actively engage with their camp community.
  • Suggest practical strategies such as learning the camp layout, introducing themselves to others, and staying involved in group activities.
  • Emphasize the importance of creating connections by knowing names, building a sense of community, and participating in shared activities.
  • Encourage them to keep busy and focus on positive experiences.

Culture Shock

Culture shock can occur when participants encounter new customs, behaviors, or expectations in the U.S. Feelings of anxiety, frustration, or alienation are common, even among experienced travelers. Some participants may not even recognize these feelings as culture shock.

How cooperators can help participants manage culture shock:

  • Explain that it is a common and temporary part of adjusting to a new environment.
  • Encourage participants to be patient with themselves and others during the transition.
  • Remind them that unfamiliar customs may initially feel strange but can become easier to understand over time.
  • Point them to resources such as the Inside the USA Guide, which outlines symptoms of culture shock and practical coping strategies.

We hope that after an initial adjustment period, participants will progress through the program with few to no problems. If there is a major illness or emergency or if a participant is arrested, we will notify you so that you may inform the participant’s family or emergency contact of the situation.

Though rare, there are occasions when participants are problematic in the workplace, thus resulting in program termination. You will be notified in such situations, and we ask for your assistance in communicating with participants to resolve any issues that may arise as a result of the termination. If we feel participants should not be placed with other host organizations, we ask for your support in ensuring they make the proper arrangements to return home.

Every year, participants are fired from their camps for various reasons. Here are a few of the most common reasons for dismissal. Please do your best to cover these topics in your pre-departure orientations.

  • Sexual Harassment
  • Drinking alcohol on camp premises
  • Returning to camp under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Smoking on camp premises
  • Use of illegal substances (drugs)
  • Inappropriate behavior towards fellow camp staff/supervisors
  • Inappropriate behavior towards children (See Dealing With Abuse)
  • Poor work ethic
  • Disrespectful attitude towards staff or campers
  • Inappropriate touching
  • Impulse control issues

Please keep in mind that we work extremely hard to find placements for our participants. Second placements are rare and not guaranteed. We ask that all participants try their best to make their placements work, and to talk with their camp supervisor, camp staff, or our team if there is a problem.

When a participant expresses a desire to leave camp early, or is asked to do so, it’s important to understand that arranging an alternative placement at a new camp is a possibility, albeit a slim one. This potentiality is contingent on several factors, including the timing of the request, the circumstances prompting the early departure, the participant’s skills, and their financial ability to support themselves and travel to another location. It’s crucial to prepare participants for this reality in advance, to avoid any potential disappointment upon their arrival and to dispel any misconceptions about the ease of changing camps.

After leaving the camp, the participant will have two weeks to be back in the matching system and try to find another camp. During that time, the participant is responsible for all costs associated with travel, accommodations, and food while they are searching for another camp. However, we want to reassure you that our team is here to support you during this transition. If they don’t match with another camp within that two week period, their program will be shortened and they will be in their 30-day grace period.

InterExchange Camp USA works hard to find suitable placements for all participants. However, we understand that sometimes there are special circumstances when placements do not work out. Please follow these procedures if there are problems at camp.

If a participant is having trouble at camp or is unhappy about something, whether it’s an issue with their job, a co-worker or a camper, they should talk to someone! Their supervisors are there to help them. If they still feel that the issue is not resolved after speaking with someone, they are advised to call InterExchange Camp USA staff. We will work with them and the camp to try to improve the situation. They should not let a problem become so big that they get fired or quit before speaking to us about it.

If participants would prefer to leave the U.S. rather than wait to be matched with another camp, they must inform InterExchange immediately.

If participants end their programs more than 15 days before their original completion date, we are required to end their program in SEVIS upon notification. Under these circumstances, when a participant’s program is ended in SEVIS, the participant has 30 days to leave the U.S. Participants who are terminated from the program must exit the U.S. immediately or risk incurring negative immigration status.

Participants who wish to travel outside the U.S. during their program must have their DS-2019 signed by InterExchange. Participants should email InterExchange directly to report their travel plans.

Cultural exchange occurs when people gain a deeper understanding and knowledge of other places, ways of life, or ideas. This can include culture, customs and day-to-day practices. Our participants and hosts embrace this aspect of InterExchange programs and understand its importance whether they’re part of a seasonal business, camp, family or professional environment.

The United States is often referred to as a “melting pot”. It is a place where people of many different backgrounds live, and these people are continually reshaping and redefining the culture. It is further influenced by the many visitors who share their cultures when they interact with U.S. citizens. One of the best opportunities participants will have over the course of their time in the United States is to learn more about American culture. That’s what cultural exchange is all about.

We’ve created a list of recommended sites and activities for participants to enjoy while they’re in the U.S. Take a look at our Cultural Compass and discover new places and aspects of American culture!