J1 summer - some info needed

Student09

Hi guys!

Well basically, I’m thinking of doing the J1 summer next year but I have a couple of questions that people may know the answers too or who have gone may be able to answer for me.

1. Well firstly, when does the application process begin on the website? I don't want to miss the date and miss my opportunity! Also, is there anything that can really jeopardise your place? Do they usually accept anyone for the VISA's, provided they meet the standard requirements? http://www.j1online.ie/home.aspx

2. I was on that website which gave me all sorts of different things I’ll have to pay for. Programme fee of €99, US embassy fee of €115 (Or was that $). So do you know what would be the exact price(Or an approx.) of the programme fees BEFORE I leave for the US. I know it is a bit early to start looking into things right now, but if I want to go, I really need to make decisions fast and work out how much I'll need before I go and what I would need to start off over there. The requirements are $485 with a job in your bank account and $985 without a job (Or something to those figures.) which I do know about. I'd like to have €1000 - €1500 either way before I leave to start me off.

3. The main places that interest me are California, Florida, New York and Boston. If you settle down in one place, will I have to stay there in the summer? I think I would like to stay in one place where I'd work but maybe visit places close to that area also on days off and things.

4. My passport is out of date in June next year so I know I need to get a new one. But, when I go to the US embassy with my passport and documents, when does that usually be? I’m assuming I couldn’t go with a passport which will be out of date during the trip. They would need to see my new one which I’d be applying for anyway.

5. Can I leave at any stage? If something happened at home, would I need to contact anyone to say I was going back to Ireland and wouldn’t be able to return to the US. Obviously, employer and whatever kind of place I end up living in, but would I need to contact anything about cancelling the VISA?

6. How do I go about looking for jobs/housing? Is that organised by J1 representatives or do I need to look myself? If so, where would they best place to start looking? I do know I don’t need a job before I go, but I rather have one (or at least had a good enough effort of looking) before leaving Ireland.

That's all I can really think about right now, there were a couple of others but I can’t remember now. Representatives were at college last year, but I can’t remember at what stage of the year they were there. I’m hoping they come every year. Last year I didn’t even think about doing it. I would like to go from the start of June to the end of August (depending on repeats lol)

I’d appreciate anything you guys to tell me (:

veXual

Housing/Jobs are not organised by the J1 people you'll need to do that yourself.

Job hunting is best done when you get over there plus you may need to get your social security number when you get there before getting any employment.

I spent my time there between San Francisco and San Diego and had an excellent summer. The two are only an hours flight apart plus you can make your way into Mexico from San Diego. I recommend Club Safari in Tijuanna.

The reps will be in College both before and after Christmas I'd recommend getting the visa before Christmas as it will be cheper. You'll have to travel to the American Embassy around April, thats when I went.

So far as I know you can leave when you want ask the J1 reps about this before hand to be sure.

If you have anymore questions feel free to ask

Student09

Thank you so much for your reply

Did you go on your own?

EDIT: Also, during the interview...What are you asked? Is it a serious interview or JUST for paperwork?

veXual

I went with friends so it was a bit easier I suppose.

The interview is just a formality don't worry yourself a bout it. Just simple questions like what you intend to do and where your going etc.

Theres a bit of paperwork too but nothing major.

lil_lisa

You don't need to cancel your visa. Nearly all J-1 summer visas expire in October but most people come home in August/September. You can even go back to Ireland and return to the US during your trip, but for this you must contact the sponsoring company.

There are three companies in Ireland who provide J-1 visas, SAYIT, USIT and Go4Less. Make sure you start saving up, you can never be guaranteed a job. Oh and I would not recommend going to Tijuana. At the moment its quite unsafe for a bunch of Irish students to go down there, get completely wasted and each of them have their passport on them and not speak spanish. Mexican bordering towns can be quite dangerous.

The total price can vary, you need flights (c. €600??), insurance (c. €200?), visa processing fees (SEVIS, embassy etc.) (c. €200 - €300)

My pricing may be a bit off, but it should be roughly around that.

You can move around the country as much as your finances will allow you. You can have as many jobs as you can pick up and there's no limit to how long you have to work at any of them. You can work for the first half of your trip and travel for the second half. As long as you get your flight home and don't overstay your visa you're fine.

Depending on where you're going, craigslist.org should be able to help you with jobs and accommodation. Its the most used site for that kind of stuff in the US.

Good luck!

Student09

Thank you, lil_lisa

Ouch, can definitely be pretty expensive before I leave. I was planning already so I can work as much as I can during this college year and have enough to pay for everything and have some money already before I leave incase of it being hard to find a job.

After hearing I can move around as much as I like, gave me an idea! Settle down for a while and maybe go to New York for two weeks to see family which I have there. Thank you so much for letting me know that.