Air Travel Kazakhstan brings extensive experience in the Work and Travel USA programme, rooted in the long-standing involvement of its founder and team. Kairat Sadvakassov, ATK’s founder, began his career in 2000-2001 as a camp counsellor at YMCA Wilson Outdoor Center in Ohio and later helped CCUSA on student recruitment in Kazakhstan. In 2002, he joined the Work and Travel programme with InterExchange, gaining firsthand experience as a reservations clerk at Grand Pacific Palisades Resort in California.

From 2002 to 2011, Kairat coordinated international exchange programmes at the International Exchange Center (IEC), supporting Work and Travel USA, Camp USA, and Internship USA, while building strong relations with the U.S. Consulate. As IEC’s Program Director from 2006, he oversaw exchange programmes in the U.S., Canada, Australia, the UK, and South Africa. Under his leadership, participation grew exponentially, reaching nearly 3,000 annually across 15 offices in Kazakhstan.

Today, Air Travel Kazakhstan’s team includes several experienced staff members based in different cities of Kazakhstan, including Aizhan Zhumabay, Executive Director and former participant (2017). The diverse team ensures professional student support at every stage. Over the past 12 years of partnership with CIEE, Air Travel Kazakhstan has successfully recruited and prepared thousands of students for the Work and Travel USA and other programmes.

How does ATK stand out from other organisations offering Work and Travel USA programmes?

We are a very customer-orientated agency which tries to keep pace with today’s students’ needs and expectations. The crucial thing is communication, which today is via all types of platforms imaginable: Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Many of our programme coordinators are fresh graduates or even our return participants who speak the same “language” as Generation Z. Replying almost instantly to their queries regardless of the time of day and using the right language and tone is at the core of communication with the growing generation.

What long-term impact do you see on students after completing the Work and Travel programme?

Pushing the internal boundaries is the key. For many, the Summer Work and Travel is still the first travel abroad, the first real-life journey away from family. Staying on one’s own and making decisions has become so rare in real life. With SWT, students are positively challenged, which will help them shape their vision of the world and their personality and grow their network.

Have you noticed changes in how students from Kazakhstan view international exchange opportunities over the years?

There are changes both on the students’ and their parents’ side. Mostly due to the growing economy at home, both students and parents no longer view the programme as a means to earn money. Conversely, students want to spend while in the US by attending concerts of their idols, travelling and buying electronics. Parents are more aware of the programme because they witnessed the programme developing while they were younger. Kazakhstan is one of the youngest countries in the world by the age of its population, and parents are increasingly prone to spend more on education, exchanges and upskilling opportunities.

What challenges do students face when applying for or joining Work and Travel programmes, and how does ATK support them?

The biggest challenge is to find placements in the US. With the help of the sponsor and different agencies, we help them get job offers. The second issue is housing, and we almost entirely rely on employers. In all other aspects students are so resourceful they can find great deals, someone who can support them the first few days, cultural opportunities and so on. After all, being moderately challenged is part of the deal when you are on SWT