Live, Work & Travel in the USA
Gap Year & Voluntary Work
Unpaid Positions & Adventure
Agriventure - Run by the International Agricultural Exchange Association, Agriventure arranges working exchanges to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and Japan on farming or horticultural enterprises. Applicants must be aged 18-30, have no dependants, be British citizens, have a full driving licence and have good practical experience within agriculture or horticulture or around the home. Programmes depart all the year around (applications required approx 2 months minimum before departure). Programme costs start at around £1700 and include: return flights (and transfer to host family), full travel and work insurance, work permits, job placement, departure information meeting, seminar in host country and full emergency back-up through offices in hosting country. Programmes are also available to Americans, Canadians, some Europeans, Australians and New Zealanders through offices in their own country.
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge - The refuge's 4.9 million acres include the spectacular volcanic islands of the Aleutian chain, the seabird cliffs of the remote Pribilofs, and icebound lands washed by the Chukchi Sea, providing essential habitat for some 40 million seabirds, representing more than 30 species. There's plenty of outdoorsy volunteer work on offer. Also seasonal employment.
The Alaska Radio Mission - Broadcasting to isolated Eskimo villages, volunteers have been critical to this station's success. Only 15 per cent of applications are accepted but those successful will receive room and board, round trip air transportation, health insurance and a monthly cash stipend. Volunteers work in a variety of positions including DJ, producing feature interviews and documentary programmes, news reporters and producers.
Alutiiq Museum - Preserving the historic cultural traditions of the Alutiiq people is what this Alaskan museum gets up to. Among other things, volunteers greet visitors and give tours, monitor archaeology sites, work on a dig or as a laboratory technician.
American Bear Association - Most tasks involve manual labour so volunteers should be physically fit and available for a week or longer between May and September.
American Land and Leisure - Maintains camp grounds on federal lands. Check out the employment page for a list of camp grounds and current job openings.
Americorps - Each year, AmeriCorps offers 75,000 opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. Full time members who complete their service earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award towards college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans; members who serve part time receive a partial Award. Some AmeriCorps members may also receive a modest living allowance during their term of service.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Trail crews spend a week or more in the backwoods helping to maintain the 2,000 plus miles of the Appalachian Trail stretching from Georgia to Maine.
Arizona Equine Rescue Organization - Volunteer work available for people who are used to handing horses and for those that are not.
Bethesda Lutheran Communities - Community work and paid employment.
Bronx Zoo - The Bronx Zoo offers two volunteer programmes: helping out the Education Department by leading schoolchildren and other groups on guided tours or as a volunteer ambassador working with the Guest Relations Department. Part of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Bureau of Land Management - Volunteer on the land managed by the US Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management.
Central Park Zoo - Volunteers act as wildlife guides delivering exhibit talks, staffing information tables, offering administrative support, leading tours, reading to children during story time activities, and participating in a variety of events. Part of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Challenge Educational Services - Work experience in America for graduates and under graduates aged 19 to 26.
Citizen Corps - FEMA's grassroots strategy to bring together government and community leaders to involve citizens in all hazards emergency preparedness and resilience. Americans are asked to get training in first aid and emergency skills; and to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety.
Colorado Trail Foundation - Stretching 500 miles through the Rocky Mountains from Denver to Durango, the Colorado Trail is maintained by trail crew volunteers who enjoy the outdoors and the social atmosphere around camp. A small one off fee is required to join a week long trail crew. Additional weeks are free.
Concordia - International volunteer projects in offered in the USA and other countries for UK residents. The projects last two to four weeks and include nature conservation, renovation, construction, archaeology, social work, youth work and teaching.
Days End Farm Horse Rescue - Volunteer work and an internship programme in Maryland.
English Speaking Union - The ESU operate Capitol Hill Scholarships, allowing undergraduates to undertake placements in the offices of members of the US Congress. Past interns have worked for Teddy Kennedy and on the President's re-election campaign.
Everett Public Service Internship Program - Applicants should be current undergraduate or undergraduates of a United States university.
Farm Sanctuary Internships - Internships are available year round in the New York and California sanctuaries. Interns must commit for three months and are required to be vegan while on the sanctuary premises. Accommodation is provided but interns are responsible for buying and preparing their own food.
Friends of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuges - Return a PDF volunteer application or fill in an online application form.
Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad - Another Colorado trail, this one runs on rails and steam. Various programmes are available including keeping the rolling stock in good order and working on the trains.
Get Involved - Aimed at older Americans who want to volunteer in their own country.
The Grace Foundation of Northern California - An equine rescue and rehabilitation facility located in El Dorado Hills of California. Run soley by volunteers who do everything fom mucking to grooming, fence mending to marketing.
Habitat for Horses - An equine protection organisation whose main facilities are in Texas but we have foster homes and adopted horses throughout the United States. Volunteers, aged over 12, help with all the physical labour needed to keep a ranch running from grooming horses to the administrative details.
The Humane Society of the United States - The USA's largest animal protection organisation. Internships and jobs are listed on the website.
International Wolf Centre - Advances the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future. Office volunteer work is available in Minnesota.
Jesuit Volunteer Corps - Christians accepted for voluntary work in the USA.
Kids Creative - Seeks musicians, actors, artists, dancers and video specialists with teaching experience to help children create original musicals in schools across Manhattan, New York.
Koke'e Resource Conservation Program - Participate in weed control projects in native Hawaiian forests. Volunteers work four days each week and have three days off and in exchange are given seven nights of bunk house accommodation.
Musical Theater Kids - Lists the volunteer requirements of performing arts and community theatre organisations such as the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington DC and the Prescott Fine Arts Association in Arizona. Roles vary from singing and dancing to ushering, gardening and maintenance.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Across the United States and its coastal waters, opportunities exist for volunteers to take part in research, observation and educational roles that benefit science and the planet.
Natural Resources Conservation Service - Conservation volunteer work.
New York Aquarium - Aquarium volunteers help staff exhibits; assist keepers with animal care, training, and exhibit maintenance; teach visitors about marine conservation; or work at events and education programmes. Part of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Pacific Whale Foundation - Voluteer work in Hawaii. Also research internships.
Passport in Time - As part of this archaeology programme of the US Forest Service, volunteers have, over the years, helped stabilise ancient cliff dwellings in New Mexico and excavated a 10,000 year old village site in Minnesota. Depending on the project, volunteers either pay for their own food and accommodation or contribute a small fee to the camp cook.
Prospect Park Zoo - Offers three ways to volunteer: as a discovery center volunteer, a discovery guide or as an education docent. Part of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Queens Zoo - Volunteers at the Queens Zoo work with the Education Department. As a member of the team, you'll teach schoolchildren and other visitors about animals by leading guided tours, assisting with special programmes and events, speaking at narrated feedings, and helping with arts and crafts activities.
Reptile and Amphibian Ecology International - Specialised internships and volunteer positions in Arizona.
Rocking Horse Rehab - A New Jersey pediatric rehabilitation and family wellness centre specialising in equine assisted therapies along with alternative and traditional therapeutic programmes. They clearly intend to work with volunteers but at the time of writing the volunteer page on the website says 'coming soon'.
Seattle International Beerfest - Earn beer money, literally. The festival is made possible by beer loving volunteers. One shift gets you ten free beer tickets, a t-shirt and a glass, three shifts equates to 43 beers. Cheers. The festival, along with another held in Portland, is in July.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum - Several volunteer programmes and internships.
Urban 09 - Urbana is the missions conference for North American students. During the five days of Urbana participants experience multicultural worship and drama, speakers and indepth Bible study and prayer. Volunteer work may be available at the conference.
US Army Corps of Engineers - Volunteer opportunities in recreation and natural resources management at many of the USACE's 423 lakes and waterways across the country. Volunteers serve as park and campground hosts, staff visitor centres, conduct programmes, clean shorelines, restore fish and wildlife habitats, maintain park trails and facilities, and more.
USDA Forest Service - The Forest Service manages 193 million acres of public lands in national forests and grasslands. Volunteer work and paid employment available.
US Fish and Wildlife Service - Volunteer opportunities with the USFWS may be found at more than 500 refuges and hatcheries throughout the United States.
US Geological Survey - A science organisation that focuses on biology, geography, geology. Explore the website for information on student jobs, volunteer work and internships.
United Nations Exchange - Over 1000 projects in Europe and North America as well as a more specialised programme of projects in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado - Volunteers combat invasive weeds, build urban trails, repair park facilities and plant trees.
Washington State Parks - Volunteers serve as camp hosts, assist in visitor centres and answer questions from the public; maintain and restore trails; give museum tours and interpret history; and provide routine maintenance such as mowing lawns. Paid temporary jobs are also available.
Wildlife Safari - A non profit zoological park in Oregan dedicated to conservation, education and research. Wildlife Safari Volunteer Teams perform various functions around the park including tour guide and animal watch. There are also internships devoted to certain departments: cheetah, carnivore, ungulate and elephant.
Work Camping - RVers offer their labour as a camp host maintaining a recreational facility in exchange for a free camping site plus wages.
Living in the USA
Real Estate and Resources for Staying Long Term
CaliforniaRealEstate.com - Find a home in California. Also includes an agent search.
Clearsky - Luxury overseas property developers in Florida, Canada and the Bahamas.
Coldwell Banker Feltrim - Florida based estate agents.
Florida Countryside - Florida property for sale. Downloadable buyers guide available.
HomeGain - Find a home across America.
Las Vegas Homes MLS Search - Las Vegas real estate.
Mahoosuc Realty - Ski resort homes for sale.
MyLandAuctions.com - USA land and lot auctions.
World of Florida - UK based estate agents selling property in Florida.
Travelling in the USA
Accommodation & Getting Around
Free Campsites - Places to camp in the US for nothing.
House Sitters America - A house sitting website helping house sitters find free accommodation throughout the US.
Sitebits / New York City - New York City information compiled by Slavito. Neighborhoods, restaurants, apartments, city photos, survival advice and more.
Other
Culture, News...
Embassy of the United States, London
Search University - Online universities directory by state, name and specialisation.
Yao Mandarin School - Specializes in absolute beginner, intermediate and advanced Mandarin Chinese language study. Schools in New York, Toronto, Vancouver and Shanghai.
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