ChileMass Teacher Exchange
About the ChileMass Teacher Exchange
The ChileMass Teacher Exchange is a BridgeUSA (J-1 Visa) Teacher program implemented by Cultural Exchange Network (Cenet). The purpose of this program is to expose Chilean educators to professional experience in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to gain a better understanding of U.S.culture, and to bring their experiences home to Chile at the end of their time in the United States.
Cenet is a U.S. Department of State authorized J-1 Visa sponsor that supports qualified teachers and allows them to pursue full-time paid teaching positions at accredited K-12 schools.
Program Details
Hosting school district: Public, private, and charter schools in Massachusetts.
The Exchange Teacher will be paid directly by the host school according to the Host School District - Exchange Teacher Agreement and compensation offered at the time of hire. The Host School District - Exchange Teacher Agreement will detail teaching requirements and related professional obligations.
Academic year cycle: August 2025 - June 2026 (includes teacher training)
The host school and ChileMass will provide advice and information on housing options - typical costs are outlined below.
Transportation to work will depend on housing location and distance to work - typical costs are outlined below.
Cenet Costs:
These costs relate to Cenet services and obtaining the visa.
| Program fee (first year) | Paid by ChileMass or school | $1000 |
| Program fee (second year) | Paid by teacher | $900 |
| Program fee (third year) | Paid by teacher | $900 |
| Program fee (fourth year) | Paid by teacher | $900 |
| Program fee (fifth year) | Paid by teacher | $900 |
| Insurance (individual - monthly) | Paid by teacher | $63 |
| Insurance (J-2 - monthly) | Paid by teacher | $55 |
| SEVIS | Paid by ChileMass or school | $220 |
| Non-immigrant visa fee | Paid by ChileMass or school | $185 |
| Program Extension beyond three years | Paid by teacher | $367 |
| Third party fees | (Not applicable) | $0 |
Cenet insurance is in addition to coverage provided by the school district and is required.
All other Cenet costs (DS-2019 replacement, dependent processing, program amendment, expedite fee, travel validation, host school vetting, J-2 fees) have been waived for the ChileMass program.
Refund policy:
- If, after the Form DS-2019 is issued, a candidate cancels participation due to circumstances beyond his/her control (such as being denied a visa), Cenet fees will be refunded with the exception of a $200 application fee.
- If a candidate chooses not to participate after the visa is granted and the host employer is expecting him/her, no fees are refunded.
- There is no refund for the SEVIS fee.
Other Costs
Non-Cenet visa costs and employment-related costs include:
| Criminal background checks | Paid by ChileMass or school | $35 |
|---|---|---|
| Credential Evaluation Fees | Paid by ChileMass or school | $0 (waived) |
| Translation of references or diploma | Paid by ChileMass or school | $100-300 |
| Teacher Licensing Application/Fees | Paid by ChileMass or school | $0 (waived) |
| Teacher Licensing Exam Fees | Paid by ChileMass or school | $0 (waived) |
| International travel | Paid by ChileMass or school | $1,500-$2,000 |
| Federal taxes* | Paid by teacher | 10-15% |
| State taxes* | Paid by teacher | 5% |
| FICA taxes* | Paid by teacher | 7.65% |
| Union dues (monthly) | Paid by teacher | $83 |
| Retirement deductions | Paid by teacher | 11% |
| Health Insurance (monthly) | Paid by teacher | $65.40 |
*Amount varies
General monthly cost-of-living expenses for a single teacher** include:
| Rent | Paid by teacher | $1,500-$2,500 |
| Local transportation | Paid by teacher | $100-$400 |
| Utilities | Paid by teacher | $100-$200 |
| Cell phone | Paid by teacher | $50-$100 |
| Food/groceries/household | Paid by teacher | $400 |
| Entertainment/other | Paid by teacher | $200 |
| Childcare (varies) | Paid by teacher | $500-$1,500 |
** Costs will be higher if the teacher travels with dependents
Refer to this website for the cost-of-living expenses in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
Teachers should understand all expected costs for the program, including living costs (housing and food), transportation, flights, utilities (TV, internet, electricity, and so on), cell phone, emergency funds, clothing, medical costs, and so on. Bring enough money with you for your initial expenses. Teachers may not be paid for a month after arrival. Throughout the program, it is possible that your wages may not cover all living expenses, so bringing additional personal funds is important.
This Teacher exchange program is a Cenet custom exchange program developed and implemented for ChileMass. For more information about Cenet Teach Exchange USA, please contact us!
