Old Orchard Beach welcomes J-1 students

Every year, hundreds of young people from around the globe come to Old Orchard Beach and other southern Maine communities for summer employment.

This summer, there are 409 international students in Old Orchard Beach through the J-1 Visa Summer Work Travel Program, and 967 total in Southern Maine from Scarborough to the southern border of the state, said Anne Randall, international student resource coordinator for the town of Old Orchard Beach.

The J-1 Visa Summer Work Travel Program allows college students to travel abroad to the United States to live and work during their summer vacation and experience a different culture.

Randall likens herself as a mom to hundreds of young adults for the summer. She provides information and resources to the students, answers questions, and makes sure they have access to what they need.

Randall was on hand Tuesday at the Salvation Army at the annual J-1 orientation event. Representatives from the town manager’s office, fire and police departments, a cell phone provider, BSOOB transit, local libraries, the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce, local banks, Social Security Administration, and offices of federal legislators were available to provide information and connect with the students.

“We want to make sure they understand everyone here is friendly and wants to help them,” said Randall.

J-1 students are an important part of the summer workforce, she said.

“They’re such good kids,” she said.

J-1 students must go through a U.S. Department of State approved J-1 visa sponsor which will provide orientation, assistance in finding a job, and other support needed to secure a visa and placement.

Taylor Kay, senior director of the Work and Travel Program with Greenheart Exchange, said his agency, as a J-1 visa sponsor, looks after the health, safety and wellness of J-1 students. Greenheart mission is to promote cultural exchange, and participants are encouraged to not only explore the area and see the sights, but to get involved in the community through activities such as volunteering at a food pantry or picking up trash at a park.

Janoi Johnson of Jamaica attends a J-1 orientation session at the Salvation Army in Old Orchard Beach on Tuesday. PHOTO BY LIZ GOTTHELF

Janoo Johnson, a student at the University of the West Indies studying accounting, is working this summer in the kitchen at Oceanwood Camp and Conference Center in Ocean Park. He has traveled to other countries, but this is his first time in the United States.

Johnson said he chose Oceanwood because he can live on campus.

“It’s fantastic,” he said. “It’s pretty bicycle-friendly, so I can get around easily.”

He said he goes to the beach often, but not to swim.

“The water is cold,” he said. “That’s not swimming water.”

Alejandro Montoro, a college student from Spain studying finance, is also spending his first time in the United States. Montoro is working at Funtown Splashtown USA and living in housing provided by the amusement park.

“I like it here,” he said. “All the people we meet are so kind and are so friendly.”

Before going home to Spain after the work season ends, he plans to travel to some big cities such as Boston, New York and Chicago.

Randall said there is a need for housing for J-1 students in Old Orchard Beach. If anyone is interested in renting space, they can contact her for more information at 207-590-7742 or arandall@oobmaine.com.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.