BridgeUSA Exchange Programs Help Solve U.S. Seasonal Labor Shortages Amid Evolving Employer Support and Global Cultural Exchange

In the face of growing staffing challenges across US hospitality, tourism, and seasonal retail sectors, international work programs like BridgeUSA are stepping in to fill critical labor gaps. Kasey Simon, President of United Work and Travel, sheds light on the root issues and the solutions being driven by global workforce exchange.

One of the biggest challenges facing seasonal industries is the limited availability of domestic workers, particularly high school and college students. Busy academic schedules, extracurricular commitments, limited transportation, and a general disinterest in service industry roles all contribute to this shortage. In remote or resort areas, the lack of local housing intensifies the struggle to find seasonal staff.

BridgeUSA’s Summer Work Travel Program, which brings nearly 100,000 international university students to the U.S. annually, offers much-needed relief. These participants work up to four months during their summer break and travel across the U.S. before returning home. Employers partner with designated sponsors like United Work and Travel, which oversees recruitment, onboarding, visa documentation, and cultural engagement—ensuring a smooth process for both parties.

United Work and Travel’s approach emphasizes strong communication, ethical practices, and compassionate support. Their team works closely with employers and Exchange Visitors to create a rewarding, mutually beneficial experience that prioritizes safety, fairness, and cultural understanding. The organization partners only with host companies that align with its core values of diligence and care.

Employers, in turn, are adopting innovative retention strategies to remain competitive. These include improved scheduling tools, transparent pay structures, workplace safety enhancements, and even social media engagement that celebrates staff contributions. There’s also a noticeable shift in employer attitudes post-pandemic, with many now offering airport pickups, mental health support, and orientation programs that ease cultural transitions for Exchange Visitors.

This evolution in employer engagement has deepened the value of cultural exchange and highlighted the mutual benefit of programs like BridgeUSA—demonstrating that person-to-person global experiences can bridge workforce gaps while enriching communities nationwide.

What are the key factors contributing to the ongoing staffing challenges in industries like hospitality, tourism, and seasonal retail across the U.S.?

• The greatest challenge facing these seasonal industries is the inability to recruit and hire local staff due to the busy schedules of high school and college students. Extracurricular activities, sports, internships, lack of transportation, or simply not wanting to work in the service industry are all factors that limit the number of available domestic seasonal workers. Additionally, in remote seasonal locations, these challenges are even greater and accompanied by a lack of local housing for staff willing and able to relocate for a seasonal position.

How do international work programs like BridgeUSA help employers fill critical labor gaps, especially in regions heavily reliant on seasonal staffing?

• The BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel Program is a cultural exchange program that permits approximately 100,000 foreign university students to enter the U.S. annually during their summer breaks and work for up to four months. Then, each Exchange Visitor can travel throughout the U.S. during a 30-day grace period before returning to their home country to resume their studies.
• To make this happen, businesses partner with sponsoring organizations like United Work and Travel to assist in recruitment, visa document processing, job facilitation, program orientation and onboarding, cultural events planning, and more.
• This program provides support to both summer and winter seasonal businesses during the shoulder parts of the season, particularly when domestic workers are in school.

Can you share how United Work and Travel supports both employers and international participants to ensure mutual success in these seasonal work placements?

• United Work and Travel has a dedicated BridgeUSA team that takes great pride in fostering and nurturing relationships with program stakeholders. We support our Exchange Visitors and Host Companies with clear and concise communication, thorough expectations, and a focus on customer service.
• United Work and Travel’s core values and guiding behaviors ensure diligence in our screening and approval process. Our Exchange Visitors are considered with the same regard we would give to our own families—prioritizing their health, safety, comfort, and welfare at all times.
• Our Host Companies offer the same level of care, as we prioritize partnerships with those that align with United Work and Travel’s values. A rewarding and mutually beneficial BridgeUSA Program, for Exchange Visitors and our program stakeholders, relies on a steadfast, compliant, and compassionate sponsor at its core— United Work and Travel fits that bill.

What innovative strategies are seasonal employers using right now to attract and retain qualified workers amid a competitive labor market?

• Employers are working hard to better the experience for all seasonal team members. Overall, we’re seeing that there is an increased focus on satisfaction, transparency, fair pay, and a safe and comfortable workplace. Factors like convenient payroll options, electronic scheduling, and the ability to communicate virtually all impact employee satisfaction.
• Seasonal employers are also keenly aware of the role that social media can play in the popularity of any business. We’re seeing businesses increasingly feature employees in business-related social media campaigns, and encouraging them to boast positively about their experience on their personal platforms.

In what ways have employer attitudes toward international workers evolved, and how does that impact the future of programs like BridgeUSA?

• United Work and Travel’s Host Company employers have immense appreciation for the time and effort it takes an Exchange Visitor to participate in the BridgeUSA program, and the pandemic was paramount in restructuring the narrative surrounding it. When COVID-19 struck, Host Companies were called to realize what they were missing; since then, we’ve seen a greater investment in the time and resources needed to guarantee program success. For instance, more Host Companies are offering airport transportation, trips to the local grocery store or bank, and on-site program coordination through BridgeUSA liaisons.
• We are also seeing a greater focus on mental health, as well as a heightened understanding of the culture shock that Exchange Visitors may experience. This impacts the future of the BridgeUSA Program because it highlights what the cultural exchange community already knows—person-to-person exchange is mutually beneficial, and the relationships formed within these programs are often life-changing.

« Back to Page