The salary for a qualified sailing instructor is between $18 and $25 per hour, usually paid every two weeks. We guarantee a minimum of $3,000 gross per month, and it is possible to earn $4,000 or more.
The final salary depends on:
The biggest opportunities to earn more come from overtime hours (especially weekends) and private lessons.
Taxes: Approximately 10% of your gross salary is withheld for federal and state taxes, depending on the state. As you are not a U.S. tax resident, you may be able to recover most of these withholdings when you return to Spain. This support is included in the program: we help you apply for your SSN (Social Security Number), the equivalent of the Spanish Social Security number, and, using your SSN and W-2 form, file your tax return online through our partner company.
Accommodation is always free. Depending on the school, it may be:
In some cases, accommodation is shared with other participants. In all cases, you will have:
We recommend starting with Wise. It works worldwide, provides you with a U.S. IBAN (the first thing an employer usually asks for in order to pay you), and, as a digital bank, transfers and currency exchange are instant.
If your employer does not accept Wise, you can open an account with a traditional bank such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo or Chase.
Absolutely! With an hourly rate of $18–$25, plus overtime and private lessons, you can earn more than $4,000 gross per month.
If the school does not provide meals, you should budget around $500 per month for food and leisure. This could leave you with around $7,000 to travel around the country during your final month or save for your return to Spain. These are indicative figures and will vary depending on your lifestyle.
Yes. Before starting, we will send you a list of available jobs so that you can indicate your preferred locations. We need to make sure they fit your availability and level of English.
You do not need to provide proof of your English level. What matters is being able to communicate and hold a conversation.
Before starting the process, we will provide you with a list of available jobs so you can express your preferences. It’s essential to keep in mind that while you can express preferences for location, we need to verify that they align with your dates and level of English proficiency.
No formal accreditation is necessary. What’s important is that you can communicate and hold a conversation.
You need a level that allows you to communicate in English since you will be working and interacting with people whose only language is English.
Generally, you need to be available from mid-June (around June 15-20) until mid-August, as this is the typical work period.
Some jobs may offer a bit more flexibility, allowing you to start in late June.
It is important to note that you won’t have complete control over the dates, as each job has its own specific dates you need to adapt to. However, you can apply for jobs that best match your availability or consider rescheduling university exams if needed. In most cases, you should be available between mid-June and mid-August. It’s also worth mentioning that some people decide to extend their stay, as the official visa period for Spanish participants covers from June 15 to September 15. Some participants take advantage of this time to travel or extend their experience.
Work & Sail cannot guarantee visa approval. There shouldn’t be any issues if you meet the requirements, but keep in mind that approval depends on the U.S. embassy consular section.
In the 2023 season, 100% of our participants received visa approval. Unless you have a criminal record, there shouldn’t be any problems with the visa process.
However, it is essential to note that the granting of the J-1 visa is subject to the interview you will have at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid and the questions they might ask.
You can demonstrate your financial solvency or that of your parents, as well as your commitment to return to Spain after the Work and Sail program, whether to continue your studies or work, etc.
Professors are usually understanding in such situations and support students in managing these experiences.
They are often willing to move the exam date. It is important to remember that you are requesting this change six months in advance, even when final degree projects are due. In all universities, it is possible to submit the final degree project online.
Every year, an increasing number of students choose to submit their TFG (Final Degree Project) digitally. If this is your case, don’t hesitate to contact us, and we will provide you with a justification letter. Additionally, once you have secured the job offer, you can present your contract with the corresponding start dates.
You will have a 24-hour contact number available for any needs you may have.
This number belongs to a person from the sponsoring institution or entity in the United States.
Before leaving Spain, you will receive the contact details for this person. You will also have direct communication with the employer, the company that has hired you. They will be available to you every day and will help with any situation you may need assistance with.
The general working conditions are as follows: Wages range from $16 to $25 per hour.
You will work between 40 and 45 hours per week. The minimum weekly hours are 32. Job conditions and availability depend on the employer, and we will inform you of the available options in advance so you can sign up for the employers that best suit you.
It is important to highlight that conditions may vary depending on the employer and the job location, so it is crucial to carefully review the offers and choose the ones that best fit your needs and goals.
Of course, you can choose the people you want to live with, depending on the accommodation policies provided by your employer. In many cases, you will have the option to select your roommates based on your preferences and affinities.
Additionally, living with international participants can be a rewarding experience. This not only gives you the opportunity to learn about different cultures but also helps improve your English level through interaction and immersion in an environment where the language is predominantly spoken.
Not necessarily. Some employers provide accommodation, and if they don’t, we are willing to help you find it, either on your own or through us.
It usually consists of shared apartments with other program participants.
We have identified 4 stages in the process where cancellations can be made:
For more information, feel free to ask for our “Terms and Conditions” document that comes with all the detailed info.
