The Global Cow, Ltd.

Monetary Information

HOST'S INITIAL FEES

• NEW host pays a non-refundable application fee of US $100
• All hosts pay a non-refundable processing fee of US $150 per participant, and a monthly administration fee of $25 per participant.

PARTICIPANT’S INITIAL FEES

• Application fees are $850:
  • $700 non-refundable processing fees
  • $350 for orientation in USA, refundable if visa denied (Expo orientation is additional $40)
• SEVIS fees, due to State Department, are $180.
  

  TOTAL sent to Global Cow with application: $1,230

  Applicants are also responsible for visa interview, paid to US Embassy in home country; round trip flight to Chicago O’Hare Airport (estimated at $1500); bus from airport to orientation (estimated at $20); transportation from orientation to host farm (estimated at $125)

ON-FARM REQUIRED EXPENSES

• Hosts’ program fees are $25 per month, per participant.
• Participant’s program fees are withheld by hosts and forwarded to Global Cow monthly:
  • $300 first month’s administration; $100 per month thereafter
  • $80 monthly health insurance (subject to change annually)
  • $200 monthly savings (used for airfare, educational courses; see savings section detail next page)

  TOTAL WITHHELD MONTHLY: $380 (except for first month, which is $580)

ON-FARM INCOME

Participants can come in as trainees or interns. As trainees have more experience, they are paid slightly higher.

• Interns start at $6.55 per hour for first 60 days, and then increase to $7 per hour for remainder of program, provided sufficient improvement is shown by participant.
• Trainees start at $7 per hour for first 60 days, and then increase to $7.50 per hour for remainder of program, provided sufficient improvement is shown by participant.
• 55 hours per week is normal, however, no participant is required to work over 40 hours per week. Participants are NOT guaranteed additional hours, although extra hours are often available according to training goals and seasonality.
• Participants must be given one day completely off per week.
• Housing (including local telephone, bedding, towels, kitchen, etc) is provided by the host.
• Reasonable access to transportation is provided by hosts. Participants must be able to get to farm, to town weekly, etc.
• Work boots are purchased by the hosts for the participants.

TAXES

• Participants are required by law to pay applicable federal & state taxes, estimated at 15% of gross (vary by state).
• Host farms will issue W-2's by January 31. Participants must file their own tax returns for each calendar year, and a portion of their taxes is generally refunded.  Participants file as non-residents.
• See this link for more information directly from Experience International on filing your taxes.

PARTICIPANT’S DISCRETIONARY LIVING EXPENSES WHILE IN USA

• Food (estimated at $200 per month; if hosts are providing meals, hosts will withhold additional $200 per month from participant.)
• Travel for one required educational course, and other optional educational opportunities as desired
• Entertainment, long distance telephone, cell phone, improved internet access, improved television packages
• Work, casual and winter clothing, personal care items
• State driver’s license (estimated at $40, varies by state)

SAVINGS ACCOUNT

Each participant is required to pay $200 monthly; this money is held for participants by Global Cow, to ensure they have enough money to purchase return air fare at all times, to pay for their required educational course, etc.

Participants must accrue $1,000 over the first five months, and then must retain this $1,000 in their accounts for the duration of their program. Participants then continue to pay $200 monthly, for the rest of their program.

EDUCATIONAL COURSE REQUIREMENT

Each participant may choose which educational opportunity they wish to attend. One Global Cow approved educational course is obligatory. Participants are encouraged to work with their hosts to attend as many courses as they wish during their program.

Once participants have accrued the required $1,000 in their Global Cow maintained savings, they may use additionally accrued monies to pay for their educational course(s). Participants may also pay for a course directly, without using these funds.

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF PROGRAM

To have successfully completed the program, participants must:

• Fulfill the dates indicated on the DS 2019, departing no earlier than 14 days before the end date.
• Attend at least one Global Cow approved educational course.
• Complete all evaluations.
• Provide proof of legal departure from the United States.

Upon successful completion, Global Cow will return any remaining balance of participant’s savings account to either the participant directly or to the in-country representative, and participant will receive it once back in-country.