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Program Details
i. Travel Information
Travel Arrangements
Once you have made your travel reservations, please e-mail your itinerary to the International Staffing Director, Diyana Petrova, at: DiyanaPetrova@winklerpool.com.
Travel arrangements MUST be confirmed prior to departure from your home country.
Arrival:
Students must arrive Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm at our Maryland office, located at:
4905 Edmonston Road
Hyattsville, MD 20781
Toll Free Number 1 888 616 7946
There are orientation sessions scheduled every Monday and Thursday in May and June. Therefore please be advised to arrive on the Monday or the Thursday before the start date of your contract.
There will NOT be a WPM representative to greet you at the airport. Therefore, you are responsible for making your own travel arrangements from the airport to our main office.
A WPM representative will be at the office to greet you and help you to get settled.
If you arrive after office hours you will need to find your own accommodations until the office re-opens for regular business (Monday - Friday 9:00am - 3:00 pm).
The nearest Youth Hostel is approximately 10 miles from our office, if you arrive when the office is closed it is suggested that you stay there until the office re-opens. You can obtain reservation information at www.hiwashingtondc.org
If you have any questions or concerns please e-mail Diyana Petrova at: DiyanaPetrova@winklerpool.com
New York Arrivals:
If you arrive in New York, you can take a bus to Washington DC. Bus schedules are available at www.Greyhound.com. You can take a bus to Washington DC and arrive at Union Station and then take the Red line metro toward Shady Grove, get off at Metro Center Station and transfer to the Orange Line toward New Carrollton get off at the Deanwood Metro Station and take the R12 BUS toward New Carrollton. Get off of the bus at the intersection of Kenilworth Ave. and Decatur St. Walk up Decatur to Edmonston Rd. The office is about 15 meters away on your left.
Metro fares and schedules are available at www.wmata.com .
YOU MUST CALL THE WINKLER OFFICE BEFORE YOU LEAVE NEW YORK.
Arrivals in the Washington DC Area Airports:
Metro fares and schedules and directions for the Washington DC area are available at www.wmata.com
Dulles International Airport (IAD) Arrivals:
If you arrive at Dulles International Airport (IAD) you can take a shuttle bus to the Metro train station. To get to the office you will need to take the Orange Line towards New Carrollton and get off at the New Carrollton stop. You will then need to take the 84 Bus toward New Carrollton Get off the bus at the intersection of Edmonston Rd.and Decatur St. The Winkler Office is located at 4905 Edmonston Rd.
Reagan National Airport Arrivals:
If you arrive at Reagan National Airport(DCA), get on the metro on the Yellow Line towards Mt. Vernon Square.Get off of the Metro at Gallery Place/ Chinatown Metro Station, and then get on the Red Line towards Silver Spring. Get off at the Rhode Island Metro Station. Take the84 Bus towards New Carrollton, and get off at the intersection of Edmonston Rd.and Decatur St., and walk 0.1 miles to the Winkler office.
Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) Arrivals
If you arrive at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), you can take the BWI Express/B30 service to Greenbelt Metro Station. This service runs every 40 minutes, 7 days a week. From there, you can take a taxi to the office, which is about 4 miles away, or you can take the Green Line towards Branch Avenue, and get off at the College Park Station. >From there, you can take the R12 Bus toward Deanwood. And get off at the intersection of Kenilworth Ave. and Decatur St. You should then walk up Decatur St. to Edmonston Rd., and the Winkler Office will be diagonally to your left at 4905 Edmonston Rd.
ii. Money
Please make sure that you bring enough money with you to get through the first few weeks in the United States. You may not receive your first paycheck for up to 4 weeks from your first day of work, so please make sure you have enough spending money for food, travel, lifeguard training class and security deposit.
iii. Lifeguard Training Class
Upon arrival you have to get certified in Life guarding, First Aid and CPR for professional rescuer. The course costs $179. You can either pay for the class up front or you can have the money deducted from your first paycheck.
iv. Uniforms
You will be required to purchase a uniform upon arrival. You may choose to have this fee deducted from your pay check.
v. Housing
Housing is provided for all international employees. The rent includes the following utilities: phone, heat, water, and air conditioning. Apartments are partly furnished. Food is not provided but an apartment comes with a full kitchen and all utensils necessary to prepare your own meals. Please bring your own personal necessities such as towels, sheets, pillows, toiletries, etc. Housing is shared.
vi. Security Deposit
You are required to pay $200 security deposit for your housing. Up to $180 is refundable.
Q: Will someone be at the airport to pick me up when I arrive?
A: NO. You will be responsible for getting to our main office, where a WPM representative will meet you and help you get settled. See the section of this website entitled: Travel Arrangements for more details.
Q: What happens if I don’t pass the Training Course?
A: You will have the opportunity to re-take the class, or the pre-course skills test if you do not pass on your first attempt. You will not be required to pay the course fees unless you successfully complete the entire course.
Q: When will I get my first paycheck?
A: It can take up to four weeks before you receive your first paycheck. This will depend on your arrival date and your first day of work. To see the dates that we issue paychecks, you can visit the section of our website entitled - Current Employees and select Pay Periods from the menu.
Q: What about taxes?
A: Please refer to the handbook you received from your sponsoring agency. It will give you instructions for completing your W-4 tax form.
Q: How can I apply for my social security card?
A: First you need to register in the SEVIS system and confirm your arrival with the sponsor of your program. Then we will provide you with directions how to get to the closest social security office. Please remember you will need to bring a photo ID, such as your passport that has been valid for longer than 1 year. If you do not have this, or your Passport is less than 1 year old, you will need to bring your birth certificate and a copy translated into English. Otherwise, there can be major delays in processing your Social Security application. Also you will need to provide additional documents presenting your legal status in the country and your eligibility to apply for social security card such as visa, I-94 and DS2019.
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