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BridgeUSA SCDE Exchange Visitor Teacher Program

Exchange Visitor Teacher Program

The United States Department of State (USDoS), Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), launched BridgeUSA as the new brand identity for the Exchange Visitor Program. Since its establishment as part of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (The Fulbright-Hays Act), the Exchange Visitor Program has served as a valuable and important diplomatic tool of United States (U.S.) foreign policy. With the mission “to increase mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries”, the EV Program provides nationals of other countries with opportunities to participate in cultural and educational exchange programs in the US.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) is a designated sponsor of an Exchange Visitor Teacher program. Through this USDOS designation, the SCDE is able to sponsor teachers from countries, with which it shares a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The SCDE currently has an MOU with the following countries:
 
  • France (Région Académique Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)
  • Germany (The Senate of Berlin/Check Point Charlie Foundation)
  • Spain (The Ministry of Education and Culture)
  • Taiwan (The Ministry of Education)
The established agreements are a means of broadening the cultural understanding between countries and fostering the exchange of educational ideas, methods, and practices. The partnerships allow licensed teachers from France, Germany, Spain, and Taiwan, who meet eligibility criteria, to be classroom teachers in South Carolina. Teachers travel to South Carolina on a J1 Visa and will serve as full-time classroom teachers in a K-12 public school for up to three years. The Exchange Visitor Program offers school districts an opportunity to provide programs that are linguistically and culturally rich and prepare students for success in their personal, academic, and professional lives. Exchange Visitor teachers arrive before the start of the school year and are issued a South Carolina International Educator Certificate.  
 

Estimates of Fees and Costs for the Program

  • There is no sponsor fee.
  • The South Carolina Department of Education does not work with any foreign or domestic third-party organizations that charge fees. There is no foreign or domestic third party or partner fee.
  • The J Visa fee is $185.
  • The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee is $220.
  • The non-refundable application processing fee for issuance of a South Carolina educator certificate is $105.
  • The fee for the Fingerprinting and Criminal History Review Process is $51.75.
  • The fee for obtaining a course-by-course transcript evaluation from an AICE or NACES affiliated organization is $150-$350.
  • The fee for extending the educator’s certificate for a 4th or 5th year is $50 per year.
  • The fee for certification exams, if required, ranges from $156 to approximately $260 depending on the specific exam.
  • South Carolina is a right-to-work state. Membership in any professional association is optional.
  • Insurance. All exchange visitor teachers are required to have insurance for sickness or accidents during the period that they participate in the exchange visitor program (accompanying spouses and dependents must be covered, as well). Insurance may be obtained on their own, or through the host school district via payroll deduction. In 2022, employees in South Carolina paid on average $1,712 toward their insurance coverage.
    Minimum coverage must provide:
    • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness;
    • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000;
    • Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the Exchange Visitor Teacher to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000; and
    • A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
    • Spouses and dependents (J2) can be included in the insurance obtained through the host school district; the cost is determined by the host school district. 
 
  • Expected work-related deductions. This varies by school district and is provided to the teacher by the school district at the time that the individual is accepted into the program, and prior to signing the employment contract. Estimated work-related deductions include:
    • Federal tax withholdings: range between 12–22% of gross income. Some countries have treaties or trade agreements with the United States, which may exempt teachers from paying federal income tax.
    • South Carolina state tax: 7% of gross income.
    • Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA): Medicare tax (1.45% of gross income) and Social Security tax (6.2% of gross income). Exchange Visitor teachers are exempt from FICA taxes until they have been in the United States more than two calendar years.
    • South Carolina is a Right to Work state and no Exchange Visitor Teacher is required to join a teacher union or association. If an educator elects to join an association or a union, the fees can range from $150 to over $1200 per year.
    • Exchange Visitor Teachers are not required to contribute to retirement benefits. However, it is important to fully understand a school district’s contribution requirements and an international teacher’s ability to access these funds following the exchange visitor program before making any enrollment decision. Enrolling in retirement benefits may require a monthly contribution of 3% to 9% of your paycheck.
 
  • Cost-of-Living Estimates:
    These estimates were compiled from organizations like the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Energy.gov and Childcare Aware.
    • Food: $500-$1,250 per month, or 10%-20% of annual household budget.
    • Housing: $1,250-$2,000 per month, or 20%-30% of annual household budget.
    • Transportation: $500-$1,250 per month, or 10%-20% of annual household budget. Transportation costs are dependent on placement and mode of transportation. 
    • Utilities: (water, electric, gas, cable/internet, and phone) $500-$750 per month, or 7% to 10% of annual household budget.
    • Childcare: $9,932 annually per child.
 
  • Activities and services provided by the SCDE to Exchange Visitor Teachers:
    • Collaborate with South Carolina school districts in evaluating and selecting teachers to work in the State of South Carolina Public Schools.
    • Assist visiting teachers in obtaining the necessary visas and authorizations from the United States.
    • Secure contracts between the visiting teachers and hosting school districts.
    • Verify that visiting teachers will be paid by the participating school district and be provided salaries, and insurance benefits if selected by the visiting teacher, in accordance with the approved salary schedules and benefits options of the school districts. The SCDE will not be obligated to cover the costs of transportation for the participating teachers, not the expenses relative to lodging, food, local transportation, utilities, and other personal expenses upon arrival in South Carolina.
    • Assure that visiting teachers will participate in all activities for professional development that the school districts offer.
    • Assure that the participating South Carolina school districts assign to the participating teachers, upon arrival to the assigned school district, an advisor or mentor who assists the teacher to make all the necessary living arrangements.
    • Encourage professional peer interactions, peer observations, and coaching by the participating teacher.
 

Exchange Visitor Teacher Program Resources