Program Details
i. Travel Arrangements
You MUST provide your travel information at least 10 days prior to your arrival. Please, e-mail your itinerary to our International Staffing Director, Diyana Petrova, at DiyanaPetrova@winklerpool.com
Arrival Instructions
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 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 settle down.
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, we suggest you to stay in this hostel until the office re-opens. You are guaranteed a spot only if you make a reservation upfront at www.hiwashingtondc.org
Arrivals in the Washington DC Area Airports (IAD/ DCA/ BWI)
You can take a taxi, use shuttle bus service or metro/bus service to come to our office.
If you decide to take a taxi, the fare will depend on the distance from the airport + the time of the ride. Please have in mind that if you arrive during rush hour, it might take you over two hours.
We would recommend you to use shuttle bus services to take you directly to our office. For details information please visit https://theairportshuttle.hudsonltd.net/res
If you travel on a tight budget, the cheapest way to get to the office will be to use the metro and bus system.
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 towards New Carrollton and get off the bus at the intersection of Edmonston Rd. andDecatur 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 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 the 84 Bus towards New Carrollton, get off at the intersection of Edmonston Rd. andDecatur
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.You will have to take the R12 Bus toward Deanwoodand 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.
Metro fares, schedules, and directions for the Washington DC Area are available at www.wmata.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. Once in Washington DC, 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 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.
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
You have to get certified in Lifeguarding, First Aid and CPR for professional rescuer before you start your job. The course takes 3 days and costs $179. You will have to pay for the class upon your arrival.
iv. Uniforms
You will be required to purchase a uniform upon arrival. You may choose to have this fee deducted from your paycheck.
v. Housing
Housing is prearranged 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. You will share your apartment with other international students.
vi. Security Deposit
You are required to pay $200 security deposit for your housing. Up to $150 is refundable based on the condition of your apartment at the move out date
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 settled down. 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 have to complete a lifeguard training class before you start your job. If you fail the pre-skill test or the final test, you can retake the class. However, you have to complete your training on time for your job assignment.
Q: When will I get my first paycheck?
A: It can take up to four weeks from your first day of work before you receive your first paycheck.
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: You have to register in the SEVIS system and confirm your current address with the sponsor of your program within 3 days of your arrival. Then you have to wait 10 days before you apply for a social security card. We can 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 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. In addition, 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 J1 visa, I-94, DS2019, and a letter from your sponsor.
Please inform us once you receive your social security card.
If you have any questions or concerns please e-mail Diyana at DiyanaPetrova@winklerpool.com
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