In the summer of 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Budapest announced the Ambassadors Fund for Summer Work and Travel (AFSWT) scholarship opportunity for the first time in Hungary. The program was jointly organized by Cultural Homestay International, the U.S. visa sponsor, and Camp Leaders. After a successful first year, the opportunity has now reopened for more than 70 students to spend an unforgettable summer in America in the summer of 2023. Learn more about the program and apply for the scholarship!
American summer memories for a lifetime
The Camp Leaders Summer Work and Travel program is all about giving students the chance to spend the summer working with an international team at a traditional American children’s camp, learning about American culture, making lifelong friends, building relationships, improving their language skills in a native environment and using their pocket money to travel around America. The program also gives young people basic skills that they can use in their future jobs and experience how to get by in a foreign country.
“I came home from America with a new, more positive outlook on the world and a much greater sense of confidence.” – B. Lili from Camp Chipinaw
Special scholarships for university students
The U.S. Embassy’s Ambassadors Fund for Summer Work and Travel (AFSWT) scholarship aims to make cultural exchange programs in the U.S. accessible to disadvantaged Hungarian youth, while the U.S. visa sponsor Cultural Homestay International also guarantees compliance with J1 visa rules. The scholarship will cover pre-departure intensive English language training for selected participants who meet the application criteria, round-trip U.S. airfare, visa costs, health insurance, and camp-provided pocket money.
An important aim of the AFSWT scholarship is to develop English language skills before the start of the program, so that students with a lower level of English can enter the program with greater confidence. The free, 12-part online training course is specifically designed for scholarship applicants and covers specific areas and communication situations that will arise during the program.
“I’m having a fantastic experience and what was very important for me when I applied: my language skills are improving day by day!” – Kornél R. from Windridge Tennis Camp
75 students participated in the AFSWT 2022 program
This year, 75 participants travelled to the United States, coming from 18 different universities, most of them from rural areas. They all did their student work in different children’s camps in a total of 35 locations. The majority of the camps were located on the East Coast, in the vicinity of large cities, in beautiful, wooded surroundings, typically close to lakes. The scholarship provided them with opportunities to work in the camp’s operational area, typically in kitchen, laundry, maintenance, cleaning and office jobs.
AFSWT scholarship holders spent an average of just over two months at the camps in the summer of 2022, and in addition to the scholarship, they received a net allowance of $1,300 from the camp, which they could use to take trips in the U.S. at the end of the summer. Many of the scholarship students have visited Washington, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston and some of the world’s most famous national parks.
Experiences and memories of a lifetime – from the participants themselves
The AFSWT scholarships enabled Hungarian students who would otherwise not have had the financial means to do so to travel to America for a whole summer. As well as doing their best at camp, they gained a wealth of experience and knowledge. They learned how to fit into an international environment, experienced a traditional American children’s camp, had fun and special activities on their days off, traveled around the country at the end of the summer, and practiced English in a native environment.
The first AFSWT Summer was rounded off with a celebration organized by Camp Leaders, where participants had the opportunity to meet each other, the staff of the visa sponsor who were visiting from the U.S., and some employees of the U.S. Embassy.
Interested in a summer job in the U.S.? Do you meet the application criteria?
Be part of the great adventure! Apply for the 2023 AFSWT Fellowship!
Need a little more encouragement? Read what this year’s participants had to say!
“It’s good to be here, I felt like this was my second home from the first day I arrived. :)” – Barbara V., from Camp Ramah, Northern California
“I’m having a fantastic experience and what was very important for me when I applied: my language skills are improving day by day!” – Kornél R. from Windridge Tennis Camp
“I’m having a great time here at the camp, I’m getting to know almost a whole new perception and attitude towards life and I’m learning a lot about myself.” – Lilla N. from International Sports Camp
“These few months have flown by incredibly fast, and it really feels like I’m in a dream! I am grateful for every minute!” – S. Dajka from Laurel South Camp
“Everyone at the camp is very kind and helpful, always someone to turn to on difficult days.” – Sofia T. from Camp Ramah in Northern California
“I can only wish everyone to have the courage to embark on such an adventure, because the memories we have will last a lifetime.” – Barnabas B. from Camp Ozark
“I came home from America with a new, more positive outlook on the world and a much greater sense of confidence.” – B. Lili from Camp Chipinaw
AFSWT – Interviews from Camp Leaders Hungary on Vimeo.
