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A Few Things to Know About Our J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program

Posted on Friday, October 9th, 2015 at 9:20 am.

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J-1 exchange visitors jump for joy in the Nation’s capital

This week, I wrote a State Department blog outlining a few things you should know about the J-1 Visa program, in hope of reaching a larger audience. While the program is well known abroad and to the readers of Route J-1, many Americans are unaware of the amazing work being done by J-1 participants. Read More ›

Categories: J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight

J-1 Exchange Visitor Program in the Outer Banks

Posted on Thursday, October 1st, 2015 at 6:37 pm.

Autumn begins this week, and with the change in seasons we have closed out our concentrated summer monitoring and travel for 2015. Route J-1 will continue, of course, so keep checking in. Read More ›

Categories: J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight

Building Bridges with Cuba

Posted on Thursday, September 17th, 2015 at 7:46 pm.

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Sitting on a panel during the “Building Bridges: Strengthening Educational & Citizen Exchange Linkages” symposium

Last week we held a symposium at George Washington University, here in Washington, D.C. on “Building Bridges: Strengthening Educational & Citizen Exchange Linkages,” following the opening of official diplomatic relations with Cuba. The idea was to bring together those who work with exchange programs to discuss our new U.S. approach on engaging people-to-people with Cuba – of which J-1 plays an integral role. Read More ›

Categories: J-1 Visa, Participants

Take Me Out to the Ballgame: J-1 Participants Experience America’s Pastime at Nationals Park

Posted on Monday, August 31st, 2015 at 4:30 pm.

J-1 exchange visitors pose with George Washington – one of the Running Presidents at Nats Park. (Photo credits to Kevin Morgan)

J-1 exchange visitors pose with George Washington – one of the Running Presidents at Nats Park. (Photo credits to Kevin Morgan)

Recently, my colleagues Ethan Bursofsky and Julia Saltzman joined more than 200 J-1 lifeguards, their sponsor, and host employer representatives at a Washington Nationals game to experience a great American pastime: baseball.
Read More ›

Categories: J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight

Summer Work Travel Exchange Visitors Bring International Flavor to the Yellowstone National Park

Posted on Thursday, August 20th, 2015 at 1:48 pm.

In addition to the rodeo, my colleagues Stacey Gomelsky and Nadine Zaatar also made their way to Yellowstone National Park, the second leg of their tour of Wyoming. You can read about their visits with J-1 exchange visitors at this famous and historic location.

Old Faithful, a cone geyser in Yellowstone National Park

Old Faithful, a cone geyser in Yellowstone National Park

Read More ›

Categories: J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight

Scholarship Programs Make Dreams into Realities for Participants

Posted on Monday, August 10th, 2015 at 8:09 pm.

At the Civic Leadership Summit with Mahmoud Sadek, Aly Metwaly, Ghadeer Abu-Rass, and Manuel Guerrero

At the Civic Leadership Summit with Mahmoud Sadek, Aly Metwaly, Ghadeer Abu-Rass, and Manuel Guerrero

J-1 Exchange Visitor Programs leave a lasting impression on both participants and host communities. I see it everywhere I go. This year, I was excited to meet four amazing participants who have dreamed of building their skills in the United States, but needed some assistance to make their dreams a reality. Through an innovative new program developed by their sponsor, these four received scholarships to participate in the SWT program – and are now excelling in their respective placements. The scholarship idea was a way to support stellar participants from countries that have historically lower participant levels in the program. Read More ›

Categories: J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight

Celebrating J-Day 2015: Eat. Play. Give.

Posted on Tuesday, August 4th, 2015 at 5:56 pm.

For the past few years, a number of sponsors across the country, in partnership with the Alliance, have encouraged their participants to take a whole day – or even a few hours – and participate in something bigger than all of us, giving back while having fun. Called, “J Day”, it has become a tradition, and is a part of the broader emphasis on cultural activities within the Summer Work Travel program. Yesterday, people across the country used the hashtags #CelebrateJDay and #eatplaygive and showed us some of the amazing ways J-1 participants impact U.S. communities.

First, my colleagues Grace Cho and Michael James stopped by J Day activities at the Family Kingdom Amusement Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The day began with a scavenger hunt organized that encouraged participants to spread throughout the amusement park and to explore the different rides and games..

First, my colleagues Grace Cho and Michael James stopped by J Day activities at the Family Kingdom Amusement Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The day began with a scavenger hunt organized that encouraged participants to spread throughout the amusement park and to explore the different rides and games.

Read More ›

Categories: J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight

J-1 Trainees Get a Professional Start in the White Mountains

Posted on Wednesday, July 29th, 2015 at 3:55 pm.

Bretton Woods, New Hampshire welcome sign

Bretton Woods, New Hampshire welcome sign

As I wrote from Florida, I am on the lookout for J-1s wherever I go this summer. While up in New England visiting family last week, I made my way to the iconic Mt. Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. A living history book, it opened in 1902 as a luxury summer residence for wealthy city dwellers who were carried by train almost straight to the hotel doors. Nestled in the White Mountains, it is a popular destination for hikers, as well as ghost hunters, international monetary policy wonks, and J-1 Summer Work Travelers and Trainees. Read More ›

Categories: J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight

In Shenandoah National Park, Hosting J-1 Participants is a Privilege

Posted on Tuesday, July 21st, 2015 at 3:32 pm.

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DAS Lerner and J-1s at Skyland Lodge at the Shenandoah National Park

Last week, my colleague Grace Cho joined me for a visit to the Shenandoah National Park and wrote about our visit below. Happy reading! Read More ›

Categories: J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight

Au Pairs Help Package Meals for Children in Need

Posted on Tuesday, July 14th, 2015 at 3:32 pm.

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Au pair volunteers sifting rice into bags for meals.

In this post, my State Department colleague Stacey Gomelsky describes her recent experience volunteering with J-1 Au Pairs in Washington, D.C.  (Photo credits to Yupa Khin Nyunt.)

“We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill Read More ›

Categories: J-1 Visa, Participants, Program Spotlight

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About Rebecca Pasini

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchange

Rebecca Pasini

Rebecca A. Pasini joined the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchanges in July 2023. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister - Counselor, Ms. Pasini has been an American diplomat since 1997.

Ms. Pasini previously served as the Director of Public and Congressional Affairs in the Bureau of Consular Affairs from 2021-2023. Other Washington assignments have included positions in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, the Office of Foreign Missions, and as a liaison to the Department of Homeland Security. She has also completed multiple overseas tours, including as Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs in Islamabad, Pakistan, and as the Consular Chief in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Other tours included Mexico City and Kuwait.

A Maryland native, Ms. Pasini has a Ph.D. in Political Science from Indiana University, a master’s degree in National Security and Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School, National Defense University, and an undergraduate degree from Mary Washington College.