Teacher Exchange
United States
Program Length: 3-5 Years
About This Program
If you are a non-U.S. citizen with teaching experience, this program offers you a valuable opportunity to learn different methods of teaching while also bringing an important international perspective to young students. This program is designed for the exchange of different teaching methodologies with other teachers, and the opportunity to teach a classroom of American children much more than basic education. The program provides a rare chance to share your country’s culture and heritage, exposing American students to the ideas of international inclusion and tolerance, and enabling them to think with a greater world perspective.
Teaching is a special profession. It gives you unlimited potential to influence and impact young lives. Alliance Abroad Group helps teachers broaden the world view of today’s American youth through matching excellent and inspired teaching professionals with accredited host schools across the U.S. We carefully check each school to ensure that they are not only accredited institutions, but that they are in full compliance with Department of State regulations. This means you can focus on teaching while we focus on finding the right fit for the next step in your educational career.
What will I be doing?
In addition to teaching, you will be facilitating cross cultural exchange between your U.S. classroom and your home country. Once a year you will organize a day or activity that highlights your culture and allows for your U.S. students to have a dialogue (through virtual exchange or other means) with students in your home country. The Teacher Exchange Program enables international educators to utilize their knowledge to help build the critical and analytical skills of our youth, and to personally showcase the value of cultural exchange.
You will be teaching full-time within the American educational school system, working directly with young students, exchanging teaching methodologies with other teachers, and reporting to your supervisor-teacher and principal.
"This Teachers Exchange program gives me a lot of opportunities and expands my horizons. It helps me to explore the world and taught me a lot about life and gives me the opportunity to understand and experience other’s cultures. […] I shall say I am so grateful being a part of this AAG program."
- Corazon Gatbonton - Philippines
Eligibility
- Must be working as a teacher outside of the U.S.
- If not currently teaching, within 12 months of applying for program, must have or will have received an advanced degree (beyond a U.S. bachelor’s) in education or in the subject matter you intend to teach
- Must have at least 2 years full-time teaching experience
- Must be fluent in the English language
- Must meet the qualification for teaching at the primary or secondary levels in schools in your home country
- Must be of good reputation and character
- Must meet the eligibility standards of the U.S. state in which you will teach to include any required criminal background checks
What This Program Includes
Program application
- Application processing and guidance throughout application process
- Program eligibility screening including sponsor English interview
- Detailed resume review and feedback
Guaranteed Placement
Teach placement secured before arriving in the U.S. with a fully vetted, and\ accredited U.S. Host School, so you know exactly where you are going and start earning right away.
Resume and Interview Preparation
We help you with your resume and interview preparation so you make a great first impression and land the right job.
Orientation
We work with you in advance to prepare you for your adventure in the U.S. and provide you with an orientation about what to expect.
Sponsorship and International Requirements
- Guidance on visa requirements and travel medical insurance.
- DS-2019 processing and issuance.
- Detailed information on Embassy appointment
- SEVIS check in and ongoing record maintenance
Customized Training Plan
We work with your employer to ensure the training plan is a unique experience and highlights all the skills and methodologies you will learn while on the program.
Medical Insurance
Medical insurance coverage for the first 90 days of program and emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage for the duration of the J-1 program
Emergency Support
- 24/7 emergency support from our U.S. based support teams and from a dedicated Outreach Coordinator
- Access to AAG’s Participant Portal with program guidance and helpful tools
Tax Instructions
Help with obtaining needed tax file number and referral for tax support through Sprintax.
Administrative Costs
Please review the detail fees information below
Pre-arrival Fees
Fees teachers may incur prior to arrival in the United States
TYPE OF FEE
RANGE (USD)
TO CONSIDER
Teacher Exchange
Full Placement
First Time Program Fee
$4,300
Teacher Exchange
Self Placement
First Time Program Fee
$3,300
Teacher Exchange with Overseas Agency
First Time Program Fee
$3,500-$11,000
Foreign Credential Evaluation
$200 - $400
Amount depends on number of transcripts evaluated and service provider chosen by teacher.
Visa Appointment Fee
$160
Paid to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your Home Country
International Flights
$800 - $2,000
Varies greatly depending on port of departure and entry
Initial Expense Fund
$3,000
Please bring funds to cover your first month(s) of expenses prior to receiving a paycheck. This amount does not include housing costs.
We've summarized and grouped the amounts below for you to be fully informed, but please be aware that these are based on averages and might be subject to change due to several variables.
*Teachers are not required to enroll through a third-party agency to participate. For a list of our current overseas partner agencies, please click here.
Program Associated Fees
Fees to be paid to Alliance Abroad for changes or additions to your program.
TYPE OF FEE
RANGE (USD)
TO CONSIDER
Annual Renewal Fee
$1,000
Paid to Alliance Abroad in the spring of each year for the following school year.
Transfer Fee
$500
Paid directly to the U.S. Department of State
J-2 Dependent Fee
$500
Per dependent. Must be spouse or child under 21 years of age.
Initial Insurance for J-2 Dependent
$270
Dependent insurance for the first 90 days J-2 is in country. Dependent will need to be added to teacher’s insurance policy following the initial 90 days.
Post-arrival Fees
Job-related expenses teachers might incur upon program start
TYPE OF FEE
RANGE (USD)
TO CONSIDER
Taxes and other fees
TYPE OF FEE
RANGE (USD)
TO CONSIDER
We encourage teachers to enroll in school plans, which are more comprehensive than emergency coverage. Cost varies greatly depending on which school plan you choose and whether you have family joining you. Teachers should budget a minimum of $150-$300/month for school’s insurance policy.
Optional Insurance
(If necessary)
$29.90-$49.90/month
Teachers may opt to pay monthly for AAG recommended plan that meets program regulations.
http://dianins.com/scholar-plan
Not all states have a state income tax.
We recommend checking here:
Paycheck Calculator
FICA, FUTA
Average 8% of Salary
Teachers on the J-1 visa program are typically subject to FICA and FUCA taxes after the first two tax calendar years in the US. In most cases, these payments will begin January 1 of your second year on program. Please note that a teacher will need to begin paying these taxes right away if the teacher was in the US previously on an F, J, M, or Q visa.
Your host school may allow or require participation in their investment program for retirement. Please check your job offer and speak with your school principal during the interview about these details.
Your offer letter will include whether or not union membership and thus dues are required as well as confirm the cost.
Most of these charges might be discounted from your regular salary paychecks
Cost of Living Expenses
Average cost of living expenses
TYPE OF FEE
RANGE (USD)
TO CONSIDER
Rent
$800 - $2,500
per month
Transportation
Factors include bus or car transportation, gas, car payment
Food & Groceries
$750 - $1,000
Childcare
(Age 0 - 5)
Avg. $700
per month
Full-time daycare can be very expensive. It can vary greatly depending on location,
https://www.epi.org/child-care-costs-in-the-united-states/#/TX
After school care
(Age 5 - 12)
Avg. $174 - $261
per week
Some schools offer after care for students at school until 6 pm. According to Care.com’s 2022 Cost of Care Survey, parents paid part-time, after-school sitters an average of $261 per week for one child. After-school sitters made an average of $17.40 per hour.
https://www.care.com/c/how-much-to-charge-after-school-child-care/
Utilities
Avg. of $400
per month for house
May be less if in an apartment. Includes electricity, air-conditioning, trash, water, etc.
Please note that some cities require cash deposits for utilities in the absence of a credit file.
Cable and/or Internet
Avg. of $70 - $100
per month
Phone
Avg. of $60 - $100
per month
Avg. of $200
per month
Can vary greatly depending on number of dependents and city, state of resident
Overseas Agency Partners
Alliance Abroad has an agreement in place with these overseas partners.
Please reach out to them to inquire about their services. Please note that all our partners may have different inclusions and optional extra services. It is very important that the pricing of all the fees is transparent. Please never accept a placement without a full written disclosure of a breakdown of fees; mandatory fees, required fees and optional fees.
COUNTRY
PARTNER
India