Earlier this month, Spirit Cultural Exchange and our International Partner, TravelMate, came together for a successful 2026 J-1 Work and Travel Job Fair in Brazil in Florianópolis. The event connected prospective J-1 participants with a 4-star resort in Wisconsin, giving participants the opportunity to learn more about seasonal employment in the United States and meet the people behind the positions they could soon fill.
From Wisconsin to Brazil
For participants interested in the J-1 Work and Travel program, opportunities like the 2026 J-1 Work and Travel Job Far in Brazil are an exciting way to take the first step toward spending a season in the United States. Through the BridgeUSA program, J-1 participants can gain valuable work experience, meet people from different cultures, and experience everyday life in an American community.
Our job fair coordinator Gloria, who helped coordinate the event remotely, was thrilled with the Host Employer’s response.
Our Host Employer was so appreciative and very impressed with everything and everyone. She said it was one of the best International Career Fairs she has been to in regard to hiring the best people to the right role.
That’s exactly what successful international recruitment should look like: connecting the right people with the right opportunities.
A Day of Cultural Exchange
Of course, the experience didn’t stop with interviews!
TravelMate also organized a cultural activity day for the Host Employer, giving them the chance to explore some of the highlights of beautiful Florianópolis. The day began with visits to the Hercílio Luz Bridge and Historic Downtown, including the Public Market, XV de Novembro Square, and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
From there, they headed to the Lagoa da Conceição Viewpoint to take in panoramic views before enjoying lunch in the Lagoa da Conceição area.
The adventure continued at Barra da Lagoa, where everyone had time to explore the beach, fishing village, suspension bridge, and natural pools. The final stop was Santo Antônio de Lisboa, one of Florianópolis’ most charming neighborhoods and a place known for its Azorean heritage and beautiful sunsets.
The day wrapped up with dinner at a waterfront seafood restaurant before everyone returned to the hotel. It was a pretty memorable way to experience the culture and beauty of Brazil!
For Spirit Cultural Exchange, these experiences are an important part of what makes cultural exchange so meaningful. While the J-1 visa provides the framework for participants to work and experience the United States, cultural exchange is about much more than employment. It is about creating connections, sharing experiences, and building understanding between people from different countries.
Celebrating a Successful Partnership
Events like this wouldn’t be possible without strong partnerships. We are grateful to TravelMate for organizing the venue for the 2026 J-1 Work and Travel Job Fair in Brazil, recruiting participants, and helping make the event such a success.
After the event, our TravelMate team shared:
It was such an amazing event! We had a great time.
They also shared how pleased they were to hear that both the Host Employer and Spirit Cultural Exchange were happy with the participants, adding that everyone enjoyed spending time together and had some “great moments” throughout the experience.
We couldn’t agree more!
This J-1 visa recruitment event is another great example of how international partnerships can bring Host Employers and participants together while creating opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange.
To our new J-1 participants selected for positions in Wisconsin: congratulations! We can’t wait to see where your Work and Travel journey takes you.
And a huge thank you to TravelMate, our Host Employer, and everyone who helped make the 2026 J-1 Work and Travel Job Fair in Brazil such a success. We are already looking forward to the next one!