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Program types

The Resort Leaders programs explained: Summer Work & Travel, Intern, and Trainee, who each is for and how long they last.

Last updated June 16, 2026

Resort Leaders places you in the US on a J-1 cultural exchange visa, and there are a few different programs depending on your situation. Here's what each one is and who it's for.

Summer Work & Travel

The Summer Work & Travel program is for full-time university students who want to work at a US resort during their summer break and travel afterwards. Placements run for around 12 weeks, with up to 30 days to travel once your placement ends.

Because it's tied to your university summer break, the timing depends on where you're from. Students in the northern hemisphere join over the northern summer, while students in the southern hemisphere, whose summer break falls over the northern winter, join over the northern winter instead.

To take part you need to be a full-time student in higher education with a good level of English.

Intern

The Intern program is for current university students and recent graduates, within 12 months of graduating, who want to build their career with structured, hands-on experience at a world-class resort. Placements run for 6 to 12 months, year-round, and are built around a training plan so you develop professionally. You don't need previous hospitality experience.

Trainee

The Trainee program is for professionals who have finished their studies and want to develop their career through training at a US resort. Placements run for 6 to 12 months, year-round.

To qualify you need either a university degree plus at least one year of related professional experience, or five years of related work experience in your field.

Which one am I on?

Your program depends on your student status, experience, and the role you apply for. If you're not sure which fits, your application will guide you, and your local Resort Leaders office can talk it through. See the Eligibility article for the full requirements of each program.

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Related articles

Basics
What Resort Leaders is, who it's for, program length, pay, and who you'll work with.
Roles
The front-of-house and back-of-house roles available at resorts and what they involve.
Types of resorts
The kinds of high-end resorts you can work at and how Resort Leaders chooses them.
Resort locations
Where the resorts are across the US and how your placement location is decided.
Eligibility
Age, student status, availability, references, and the other requirements to apply.