Early recruitment strategies in Latin America: How to secure Work & Travel participants 6-9 months in advance

Date – Wednesday, 16 September
Time – 16:40 – 17:00
Location – Workshop area, Euskalduna Conference Centre

The BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel program is a long-standing cultural exchange initiative designed to foster mutual understanding through international student mobility. However, across many emerging markets, recruitment remains highly concentrated in peak months, creating operational pressure for both sponsors and sending organisations.

This session explores how early recruitment strategies can be implemented to build more stable and predictable pipelines 6 to 9 months in advance. Using Latin America as a case study, where program participation windows, academic calendars, and visa timelines create unique constraints, the session presents practical, transferable frameworks for improving recruitment timing and participant readiness.

Attendees will gain insights into how structured processes, early engagement, and data-informed decision-making can strengthen program outcomes, support sponsor planning, and enhance the long-term sustainability of Work & Travel programs across diverse markets.

During this session, Guillermo Gilbert, CEO of Work It Ecuador, will discuss:
– how to build early-stage recruitment pipelines in emerging markets
– how academic calendars, program windows, and eligibility requirements shape recruitment timing
– how to align outreach 6 to 9 months in advance for better results.