Europe or America this summer??

college_girl

Hi

Me and my friend really want to go away this summer. We want to go to America on a j1 but don't know if we'll get jobs out there. We're both in final year so this is our last chance to do one!..If that dosen't work out we're thinking of going somewhere like Ayia Napa instead and find jobs out there!
Anyone have any advice?

Kerrybai

Why don't you believe you will not get jobs? Avoid the West coast and areas dominated with Irish and you'll be fine.

Try a seaside city like Myrtle Beach.

Civilian_Target

Yeah... I think so long as you keep to the major, busy cities, you won't have difficulties finding jobs.

token101

West Coast (California) would be a disaster if you're after jobs. But I'd say if try less obvious places like Seattle or places like that you'd be good. Irish (me included) always went for the places where there are f*** all jobs like Huntington Beach, San Diego, etc. If I had my chance again I'd try Austin in Texas. Supposed to be an unreal spot.

FouxDaFaFa

Don't worry too much about j1 jobs, there will always be seasonal work in the major cities. Try to get there as early as you can (end of Mayish) to beat the crowds. I went to San Diego where it can be pretty tough to find work and still managed to get a job.
If you really want to work, you'll get a job. If you're very half-hearted about your job search, you may not. American employers tend to like persistence when you're applying for jobs and you'll have to get comfortable "selling yourself".

college_girl

Thanks for the replys.:) Yes i was thinking Myrtle Beach or maybe Cape Cod. Are they big cities? Everyone seems to be going to Ocean City and Boston so said we'd stay away from there. Its so late booking now though probably wouldn't get out there til june sometime.

token101

college_girl wrote: »

Thanks for the replys.:) Yes i was thinking Myrtle Beach or maybe Cape Cod. Are they big cities? Everyone seems to be going to Ocean City and Boston so said we'd stay away from there. Its so late booking now though probably wouldn't get out there til june sometime.

Myrtle Beach will be overrun with Irish and it's a total sh*thole according to everyone I've ever spoken to! You'll probably get a job in a funfair like my buddy did! Cape Cod, I wouldn't know about tbh.

Suppose it depends on what you're after. If it's D4 knobheads running amok and making sh*t of already sh*t accomodation, Myrtle Beach would be class. If it's America you want to see, try somewhere like Seattle, get a job then roadtrip down the coast. Or Chicago and do Route 66. Or one of the millions of other big American cities like Atlanta where you won't be hanging out with just Irish! I'd recommend California in a heartbeat, but you'd never get a job. But if you could find a way of making a trip there, it's a savage place.

kitty111

college_girl wrote: »

Hi

Me and my friend really want to go away this summer. We want to go to America on a j1 but don't know if we'll get jobs out there. We're both in final year so this is our last chance to do one!..If that dosen't work out we're thinking of going somewhere like Ayia Napa instead and find jobs out there!
Anyone have any advice?

Hey,

I am also in final year and in the same boat, not sure what to do with myself this summer. I did the J1 last year in New York...once you get out there good and early you'll have no problem getting bar work or something like that so if the east coast sounds good for you I highly recommend doing it!!! we all had an amazing time Do you know what the story is working in Europe and what the job situation is looking like????

lc180

token101 wrote: »

Myrtle Beach will be overrun with Irish and it's a total sh*thole according to everyone I've ever spoken to! You'll probably get a job in a funfair like my buddy did! Cape Cod, I wouldn't know about tbh.

Suppose it depends on what you're after. If it's D4 knobheads running amok and making sh*t of already sh*t accomodation, Myrtle Beach would be class. If it's America you want to see, try somewhere like Seattle, get a job then roadtrip down the coast. Or Chicago and do Route 66. Or one of the millions of other big American cities like Atlanta where you won't be hanging out with just Irish! I'd recommend California in a heartbeat, but you'd never get a job. But if you could find a way of making a trip there, it's a savage place.

I never did a J1 but I can't help but agree with the above opinion.

I reckon it'll be best to try somewhere a little less obvious. Especially if you aren't going over til June. The weather in Seattle can be pretty miserable during winter but the summer is gorgeous. I really liked Texas too, especially Austin, the music, food, vibe there is amazing!

But it really does depend on what floats your boat. Either way the US is great , especially during the summer so enjoy!

sitstill

token101 wrote: »

If I had my chance again I'd try Austin in Texas. Supposed to be an unreal spot.

I was in Austin last summer. Its really cool, total laid back kinda artsy vibe and great nightlife.

PhilTorres

Friends of mine went for a year we met them for 3 months in California but they said the best places they were was Colorado and Austin. Went to the likes of San Diego, HB and Santa Barbara and whilst they are decent enough places I wouldn't advise a J1 there.

lukiej

I spent the last 2 summers in California. The first on a J1 and the 2nd on a holiday visa. They were both unbelievable summers and so much fun. A lot of people say that its tough to get jobs in California. After spending two summers there, in my opinion if you want a job badly enough you will get one. I had two jobs when I went on my j1 and everyone I lived with and knew had jobs. I was in Huntington Beach, having said that, I returned to California last summer on just a holiday visa for 2 months as I had saved up enough cash and didn't have to work. The scene was a bit different. I went to San Diego this time, where jobs were very hard to come by, it really was a first come first serve basis. I went back to visit Huntington a couple of times and there too the scene had changed, the Irish were finding it very hard to get work and accommodation. Having said that, I had the two best summers of my life over there, I fell in love with the place, the weather, the people - met some really cool americans who I'm still in touch with today, the beaches, the night life.
After being to both Huntington and San Diego I have to say I preferred Huntington Beach. People were nicer, the beaches were nicer, the night life was better. I travelled the whole coast both summers, going as far north as San Fran and Lake Tahoe. I would still recommend Huntington but I do believe its getting harder to work, I personally wasn't gone on San Diego but most other people seem to love it. San Fran is amazing and loads of work there, easy to get housing in college accommodation too, although the weather is not as nice.
Two years ago I worked in some small beach town in near L.A. Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, we were very well received up there and we really stood out, clearly because of the lack of Irish there. Maybe try one of those places, work should be easy to come by. and your right in near L.A. Also Laguna Beach and Newport Beach are not as flooded with Irish, look into them a bit more.
I wouldn't rule out California, I loved it, and plan on going back there for a year after college to work, try some different places that are not as common for the J1 like iv mentioned, everything is very close over there, renting cars is very cheap and definitely your best mode of transport, San Diego - LA only 1hr30min. LA - Vegas only 4hrs.
Best of luck,
let me know if you have any questions