The Selection Process


At Global Cultural Exchange we understand the importance of making a good match between the student and the employer. It can make the difference between a great experience and a bad one. We personally interview every student with a video call on Skype.  There is nothing better than actually seeing and talking to the students ourselves.  Yes, it takes a lot longer than just trusting that local agency.  While they do a great job themselves, as American’s we can easily check their language skills, and ask questions that are directly relevant to a specific employer’s needs.

The selection process  always includes a screening and selection by the local agency in the country where the student resides, as well as an interview with our staff in Colorado.

While partners from all countries do a good job of screening, due to our close relationship with our sister company in China (www.watusa.cn), we are able to do an extremely thorough job of screening and matching of the Chinese students.

The first level of screening takes place at the University. The students take tests to measure their English language skills. The teachers at the University also assess each student to see if they would fit in with the J-1 Visa Program. We work with some of the best Universities in China, which gives us access to some of the best-educated students there.

Once the University has suggested students’ names to our partner in China, their staff interviews the students. They check their spoken English and learn why they want to join the program. If they are going to participate in the Summer Work and Travel program, then they must have the desire to work hard while in America. Most young people want to have fun while abroad and that is a good thing, but they also need to understand that they are coming here to do a job, and to do it very well.

Our partners carefully screen each student. This includes learning what talents and interests they have, whether they like cities, or countryside locations, and what is motivating them. In most cases the students want to expand their cultural horizons and improve their English skills.

If the students do well with the interviews in China, an interview time is arranged with our American staff at Global Cultural Exchange. We typically do this via video Skype which allows us to both converse with and see the students. We check to make sure that they can hold conversations in English at normal conversational speeds. We learn about their interests, skills, and personality. We will frequently discuss specific job opportunities with them to gauge their interest in the job.

Once the interviews are complete, we discuss each student with the staff in Beijing so they can assign the students to the most appropriate positions.

At Beijing Meiji, staff members who have been J-1 students in America themselves discuss the reality of what it is like to be here on the program. This help control expectations and prepares the student for the new experiences they will have once they arrive.

Once we believe we have a student who is a good match for your position, we either assign that student, or if you prefer, we can arrange a video Skype interview between you and the student.

By taking all of these steps we greatly increase the likelihood of all parties having a very good experience once the student arrives and begins work.

If you prefer to have students from countries other than China, or if the time frame does not match with the program dates allowed by the U.S. embassy in China, then we will bring in students from other countries. We work very closely with some of the top J-1 visa sponsors in America and are connected to many great agencies worldwide. While we do not have the close, personal relationship that we do in China, we are able to bring in well qualified students to meet your needs.

Yes, this process is a lot more work than most companies this industry do, but the results of matching students with each job, results in a great experience for all parties!