The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a US government agency that administers social programs covering disability, retirement and survivors' benefits.

Throughout the summer, a number of J-1 interns with the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP, www.fusia.net) applied for their Social Security cards from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They traveled in groups to the SSA office located in Jamaica, Queens.

The SSA is a US agency that administers social programs covering disability, retirement and survivors' benefits. Exchange visitors are not required to get a Social Security Number. However, all interns who are being financially reimbursed by their internship hosts must get one. Though this activity was not as entertaining as others that the CCIP interns did this summer, it was an important learning experience.

The first group went on Thursday, May 23, and was led by Minton, an at YU & Associates. Minton said, "the trip provided us with some insight to how Americans experience the Social Security system. I've read up about Social Security at a nationwide level before, but being able to experience the processes from an individual's point of view is a unique perspective which I would not have been able to gain without the program."

After the arrival of the second group of interns, Kimmy, a student at the City University of Hong Kong, led another group to the SSA office on June 6. "This is the kind of thing I would never do if not for this program," Kimmy explained. "It's teaching me a level of responsibility that I’ll need in my career."

To avoid interfering with their normal internship hours, each group arrived at the SSA office at 7 in the morning to beat the crowds.

Emily, a student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, led another group on July 3. Like, Milton, Emily had learned about the Social Security system and tax responsibilities from the Post-Arrival Orientation before coming to New York, but she appreciated experience the whole process for herself. "The whole application process wasn't as complicated as I imagined. We arrived at the venue at 7 am and managed to complete our applications within an hour."

The final group went to the SSA office on July 18. The group leader was Muskan, an intern at DJAM Insurance. "One of the selling points of CCIP is that it’s more than just an internship opportunity. It’s a chance to come to New York and really understand how people here live. I feel like managing Social Security is a big part of that."