J1 costs; planning...

jwn1 · 15-12-2014 6:12pm

Im looking to go to San Francisco too next summer! Been doing some research and it seems that Berkeley is the most popular but does anyone know how easy it is to find accommodation/work there? And how far it is from San Fran city if you had to travel everyday for work is it possible??
More than likely ill be travelling over on my own so it would be brilliant to find people to share with before I go! I booked through USIT and should be travelling over around the 21st of May as soon as my exams finish!
It would be great to get some advice & if anyone is looking for people to build up numbers and lower costs of rent do get in contact with me!

jwn1 · 15-12-2014 6:31pm

Im looking to go to San Francisco too next summer! Been doing some research and it seems that Berkeley is the most popular but does anyone know how easy it is to find accommodation/work there? And how far it is from San Fran city if you had to travel everyday for work is it possible??
More than likely ill be travelling over on my own so it would be brilliant to find people to share with before I go! I booked through USIT and should be travelling over around the 21st of May as soon as my exams finish!
It would be great to get some advice & if anyone is looking for people to build up numbers and lower costs of rent do get in contact with me!

Gavelaa · 17-12-2014 9:11pm

ColmBr wrote: »

I got on to them about it and they said that you must book your flights with them when getting your visa with them. Took them two days to reply and the email did not seem very professional at all. I think I'll be staying away from them.

had to open an account to clarify on Travelbug Limited, I was on the phone a couple of days ago to one of their representatives and honestly they were very helpful. I had to ask about the flights since i had already read this thread and they clarified that they dont even have the facility to cater for booking flights and that must be done independently by myself. They simply offer everything else. anyone seriousl;y interested on doing a j1 should however actually research by contacting the companies themselves rather than taking a strangers comment at face value.. obviously

pizzaslut0 · 02-01-2015 5:04pm

Okay I know there's plwnty of posts already but I'm thinking of doing a j1 maybe New York! I'm 19 and a guy! I'd be up for sharing accommodation and all that

give me your thoughts

jaymcg91 · 02-01-2015 6:23pm

Theres literally so many threads, why did you start a new one

.

pizzaslut0 · 02-01-2015 8:49pm

jaymcg91 wrote: »

Theres literally so many threads, why did you start a new one .

I'm very very lazy ðŸ˜‚

pizzaslut0 · 02-01-2015 8:59pm

I too am thinking of a J1, possibly alone. Would me being a few months shy of 20 make a huge difference ? I'm thinking New York it looks so nice

Sara.Cherokee · 10-01-2015 5:04am

For all of you looking into San Francisco, I posted quite a lengthy post about it on the thread titled J1 2015 San Francisco, a few of us there are also looking for people to go with, hope it helps

aoifemcg94 · 10-01-2015 6:08am

May seem like I silly question, but this year I'm a external student so technically I'm not really full time, does this mean I can't get a J1?

jaymcg91 · 10-01-2015 3:05pm

aoifemcg94 wrote: »

May seem like I silly question, but this year I'm a external student so technically I'm not really full time, does this mean I can't get a J1?

Nope have to be a registered full time student.

aoifemcg94 · 10-01-2015 4:20pm

jaymcg91 wrote: »

Nope have to be a registered full time student.

Ok thanks, is there anything similar to a J1 that's not for students
that doesn't cost an arm and leg? Have uncle living there so saving a little on accommodation

Ditzie · 17-01-2015 10:48pm

Hi guys,

I'm a 23 year old girl thinking of heading to Boston/New York for the summer. None of my friends are interested so I'd be going alone! Is anyone in the same boat? Or has anyone gone to either city before? Would really appreciate any advice!

jaymcg91 · 17-01-2015 11:19pm

aoifemcg94 wrote: »

Ok thanks, is there anything similar to a J1 that's not for students
that doesn't cost an arm and leg? Have uncle living there so saving a little on accommodation

Nope TBH. Either be incredibly highly skilled, marry an American or study over there.

corkoian · 18-01-2015 8:52pm

Ditzie wrote: »

Hi guys,

I'm a 23 year old girl thinking of heading to Boston/New York for the summer. None of my friends are interested so I'd be going alone! Is anyone in the same boat? Or has anyone gone to either city before? Would really appreciate any advice!

I'm going working in a summer camp just outside New York for the summer for 10 weeks and then travelling for 4 weeks. Will visit New York and probably Boston and maybe the west coast. I'm a 20 year old male student travelling alone

andycarroll1 · 21-01-2015 12:36pm

Im working with travel bug limited.
the cost for a j1 visa with us is 539 euros.
This includes:
SEVIS Fee
DS-2019
Insurance
Preparation for Visa Application and Embassy Interview
Pre-Arrival Orientation
Support of your sponsor while in the USA
Assistance with job approval by the sponsor.

Our motto is buy your own flights, This can save on average €250 per applicant!
PM me for more details.

jaymcg91 · 21-01-2015 3:19pm

This doesn't include the $160 US Embassy fee either right?

andycarroll1 · 22-01-2015 11:59am

Thats right, the embassy fee is seperate

NeilK_94 · 24-01-2015 4:32pm

Hey,

Myself and a friend are planning on going on the J1 to Myrtle beach for the Summer and I was wondering if any of you could give me a heads up of how much all of this will cost by the time I get out there.

I've been looking at applying through the USIT website but it seems like they charge a lot extra just for the sake of it. How did you get out there and how much had you spent by the time you had gotten your feet on the ground.

Is it easy get jobs there and are there many Irish students there?

I'm basically wondering if I should go through the USIT system and pay all the fees or should I just apply for a work visa and go from there.

Thanks.

jaymcg91 · 24-01-2015 8:30pm

NeilK_94 wrote: »

Hey,

Myself and a friend are planning on going on the J1 to Myrtle beach for the Summer and I was wondering if any of you could give me a heads up of how much all of this will cost by the time I get out there.

I've been looking at applying through the USIT website but it seems like they charge a lot extra just for the sake of it. How did you get out there and how much had you spent by the time you had gotten your feet on the ground.

Is it easy get jobs there and are there many Irish students there?

I'm basically wondering if I should go through the USIT system and pay all the fees or should I just apply for a work visa and go from there.

Thanks.

There is no way to just 'apply for a work visa'. You have to go through an agency to get the sponsorship required to get a visa. You won't get change out of €1000 inc flights (and that's if you fly out early, if you have to wait till June because of exams expect €1100+). I've found SAYIT slightly cheaper than USIT but that's just my personal experience. Travelbug would have worked out at even more for me (their fee of €539 + $160 Embassy fee + Flight would have been more expensive than SAYIT for me).

You then need a minimum of €1000 to get started (they ask for a bank statement at immigration).

J1 is an amazing experience but its known to be expensive because of the travel agencies.

Chavways · 24-01-2015 8:49pm

I flew to San Francisco last summer. I changed my flight date once before I went for an extra 150 dollars but all in I had spent over 2000 euro on everything before I had even arrived in the States. I went through USIT and they gave me no help at all to be honest. Its a ridiculous money racket.

Eurovisionmad · 24-01-2015 11:20pm

Booked accommodation for our (rather large) group in Newport RI. We need to have it organised before we head out as we only need the lease for 2 months and with the size of our group it is rather unlikely that we would sort it out on arrival! Does take a huge amount of stress out of the whole affair though! At this stage costs for us are looking at €455 for SAYIT & embassy related charges, €621 for flights in and out of Boston, and around $1000 for accommodation including deposit

26-01-2015 4:58pm

Swel wrote: »

Me and a friend are also going on a J1 next summer, looking at santa monica / san diego. If anyone has any advice or wants to join, the more the merrier!
Both from waterford, 21/22

hey, were 3 21 yr old lads from galway looking for people to share accom with in san diego, I thought pacific beac in san diego looked like a great place to live, ye have any ideas/suggestions?

26-01-2015 5:00pm

Rachel23 wrote: »

So myself and another girl are thinking of going on a J1 this year, I'll be 21 & she'll be 24. We were thinking of going to the west coast, maybe San Diego/San Fran. Becasue NY is way to expensive for rent and that ~ well so i heard!
We havent really looked into it too well, it will be our first time on a j1, and have no idea what to expect!

is it really hard to find a job, is it expensive?
oh, and if anyone would be upto it..we'd like to stay with other people to get the rent down & meet new people etc. D

were 3 21 yr old lads from galway looking to share accom in san diego. interested?

Pete123456 · 26-01-2015 11:19pm

Speaking of costs...how many dollars have people bought? I got 1.20'a few weeks back but it was 1.08 today! If it goes to parity it'll be great for coming back but screw us all going over

Eurovisionmad · 27-01-2015 8:30pm

Pete123456 wrote: »

Speaking of costs...how many dollars have people bought? I got 1.20'a few weeks back but it was 1.08 today! If it goes to parity it'll be great for coming back but screw us all going over

I'd hold off on buying at the moment, even though it may still go down of everything goes tits up in Greece, but the likelyhood is that it'll reach a better price at some point between now and when you head off, right after the Greek elections and the ECB announcing quantative easing is going to be a particular through!

Pete123456 · 27-01-2015 11:17pm

Eurovisionmad wrote: »

I'd hold off on buying at the moment, even though it may still go down of everything goes tits up in Greece, but the likelyhood is that it'll reach a better price at some point between now and when you head off, right after the Greek elections and the ECB announcing quantative easing is going to be a particular through!

I spose if it's gone down so quick it could in theory go back up but I can't see it back at 1.20 before we head off. Especially seen as the big German banks are saying it'll go to parity. I guess if it came back up 5 or 6 cents it would be better than nothing! Fairly sickening to think it's come down so much in as little as a few months!

Eurovisionmad · 28-01-2015 12:42am

Pete123456 wrote: »

I spose if it's gone down so quick it could in theory go back up but I can't see it back at 1.20 before we head off. Especially seen as the big German banks are saying it'll go to parity. I guess if it came back up 5 or 6 cents it would be better than nothing! Fairly sickening to think it's come down so much in as little as a few months!

Well of course you could always buy an option on dollars if you were real finance nerd :pac:

Steffieboo · 28-01-2015 4:42pm

sophiya1992 wrote: »

Hey guys just came across the thread and me and a friend of mine are going on the j1 this summer thinking of NYC or Boston.. anyone interested in headin that way and wanna join us your more than welcome. We are both 22 year old females in college in Waterford!

Hey hows things! I just seen your post there about j1 in NY! Myself and a friend are plannin on headin over as well. Have you guys booked it yet? We're looking to try team up with others headin over. If ya wanna get me on my phone or fb you can. 0877641010, Stephanie Healy on fb

orlalc94 · 28-01-2015 9:14pm

NeilK_94 wrote: »

Hey,

Myself and a friend are planning on going on the J1 to Myrtle beach for the Summer and I was wondering if any of you could give me a heads up of how much all of this will cost by the time I get out there.

I've been looking at applying through the USIT website but it seems like they charge a lot extra just for the sake of it. How did you get out there and how much had you spent by the time you had gotten your feet on the ground.

Is it easy get jobs there and are there many Irish students there?

I'm basically wondering if I should go through the USIT system and pay all the fees or should I just apply for a work visa and go from there.

Thanks.

Hey, me and two of my friends just booked today to go to myrtle beach for the summer! We went through USIT and its working out at 977 euro flying into new york and you must book an additional connecting flight to myrtle beach which is about 180-200 euro on top of the 977. Also the embassy fee of 160, so altogether its about 1300euro for myrtle beach. Were flying out on the 21st of may and coming back the 20th of August. There are plenty of jobs there, the USIT lady said about 4000 jobs each summer for J1 students around the boardwalk in shops, restaurants etc. A major reason we chose myrtle beach was the weather! It's really hot and sunny which was exactly what we wanted! Hope this helps! If you end up deciding to go, PM me with any details you find out!

No harm to have a few contacts over there!

thelad95 · 03-02-2015 5:08pm

Looking for people with experience of having done a J1. Do you actually end up making money or do you break even/make a loss considering travelling and living expenses?

J1Summer2015 · 03-02-2015 8:57pm

Hi,

This is a bit of a grey area but with regards to working on the J1 (in the U.S.) can you mainly just get shop/bar/restaurant work? A lot of employment websites advertise internships but someone said a regular J1 would not allow for such a job. They said the same would apply for summer camps as it would be related to teaching...

Has anyone any experience with this?

Thanks!

Ditzie · 04-02-2015 12:29am

corkoian wrote: »

I'm going working in a summer camp just outside New York for the summer for 10 weeks and then travelling for 4 weeks. Will visit New York and probably Boston and maybe the west coast. I'm a 20 year old male student travelling alone

Oh wow, are the summer camp providing you with accommodation then? Because finding somewhere to live and a job is what I'm most nervous about!

Eurovisionmad · 04-02-2015 7:51pm

thelad95 wrote: »

Looking for people with experience of having done a J1. Do you actually end up making money or do you break even/make a loss considering travelling and living expenses?

It seems to be hard to know, most people say you "break even" but some include programme fee and flights and all that in it while others don't. I suppose it also depends on whether or not you get a job that pays/tips well, how expensive your accommodation is and whether you go travelling at the end.

jaymcg91 · 04-02-2015 7:59pm

Pretty much everyone I know that's been on one has said if you come back even then you've been lucky. That said, you'd be more likely if you went outside of the major metropolitan areas (New York, Boston, LA, San Fran etc).

Duff · 04-02-2015 10:37pm

From my experience (NY and Chicago) you work to live on a J1. I've never come home with anything substantial as I usually work for 2 months and save up for travelling on the third. I came home from New York with $17 haha. Going to be the same for me this year in California.

Eurovisionmad · 05-02-2015 10:27pm

Managed to get a job today, have both accommodation and job sorted now, which is great, now I can hopefully relax!

jwn1 · 07-02-2015 11:54pm

Does anyone have any information on the Berkeley Student Co-op's? I may be heading over alone so I think that this would be the best option for me, rent is not too expensive & it seems pretty easy to apply etc! Has anybody else looked into this? Or stayed in one of the Co-op's before? Any info/advice on them would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

corkoian · 08-02-2015 11:02pm

Ditzie wrote: »

Oh wow, are the summer camp providing you with accommodation then? Because finding somewhere to live and a job is what I'm most nervous about!

Yup food, accommodation and paid for 10 weeks and then you have 4 weeks to travel

clownface95 · 14-02-2015 2:50pm

Im about to book with USIT for a J1, when do they expect you to book your flights? Im going with a group and there not fully sure on where where going yet.

BOHtox · 16-02-2015 2:03am

Anyone using Sayit? I have to upload a profile image 150px by 200px. How do I do this? What sort of picture are they looking for?

YoursSincerely · 16-02-2015 5:08pm

Eurovisionmad wrote: »

Managed to get a job today, have both accommodation and job sorted now, which is great, now I can hopefully relax!

Can I ask how you have managed to sort accommodation and a job so early? I dont even know where to start?

mitch23 · 18-02-2015 12:11am

Do not book with usit. We are going with go4less and its nearly 500 Euro cheaper and you get to book your own flights . The best jobs if you have contacts are furniture moving or construction. if you want a nice job definitely go lifeguarding. Most beaches will pay around 550-680 dollars per week and on top of that you get paid commission for selling beach gear . You would be expected to swim 11 lenghts of a swimming pool in under 10 minutes. Some companies will give extra if you swim under a certain time . You will also need an occupational first aid cert.

mike.ryan.1992 · 13-03-2015 1:58pm

112480698 wrote: »

hey, were 3 21 yr old lads from galway looking for people to share accom with in san diego, I thought pacific beac in san diego looked like a great place to live, ye have any ideas/suggestions?

hey, im 22 from Limerick wanting to go on a J1 to the west coast/cali! Ye still looking for people to share accommodation with?

NewYork2015 · 13-03-2015 10:40pm

mitch23 wrote: »

Do not book with usit. We are going with go4less and its nearly 500 Euro cheaper and you get to book your own flights . The best jobs if you have contacts are furniture moving or construction. if you want a nice job definitely go lifeguarding. Most beaches will pay around 550-680 dollars per week and on top of that you get paid commission for selling beach gear . You would be expected to swim 11 lenghts of a swimming pool in under 10 minutes. Some companies will give extra if you swim under a certain time . You will also need an occupational first aid cert.

Hey! I have a few questions - What would a construction worker be expected to be paid? What city are you basing your info off?

Glenn Kearney · 13-04-2015 12:17am

I'm going to New york from late june on a J1.

Does anyone know a good way of getting a bar or retail job there while in still in Ireland?

I'm 28 and have worked a fare bit in retail anyway, but I hear the bar jobs pay better on account of tips.

roguey · 14-04-2015 2:20pm

Hi all,

Basically as my title says, I am late applying for the J1. I have only decided this week to go. Now, all my friends are going to San Francisco and I went to do the USIT J1 application online, but it said in the terms and conditions that California J1s were all gone.

I called USIT and the guy first said that yeah they're all gone, that means you cant fly directly into California on the J1 visa. He seemed to imply that I could just fly somewhere else first then onto SF. But he then went away to check with his supervisor and came back and casically said they cannot accept my application if they know I intend to circumvent it.

Now I know you are free to travel all around the US with the J1 visa, but would it be possible apply for the J1 to somewhere like Las Vegas, where, flight on to SF only cost about 50?

jjnaas · 20-04-2015 10:24pm

roguey wrote: »

Hi all,

Basically as my title says, I am late applying for the J1. I have only decided this week to go. Now, all my friends are going to San Francisco and I went to do the USIT J1 application online, but it said in the terms and conditions that California J1s were all gone.

I called USIT and the guy first said that yeah they're all gone, that means you cant fly directly into California on the J1 visa. He seemed to imply that I could just fly somewhere else first then onto SF. But he then went away to check with his supervisor and came back and casically said they cannot accept my application if they know I intend to circumvent it.

Now I know you are free to travel all around the US with the J1 visa, but would it be possible apply for the J1 to somewhere like Las Vegas, where, flight on to SF only cost about 50?

Last year my brother went to SanFran but didn't find work. He met a guy in a hostel from Chicago whose dad had a diner so he flew out to Chicago and worked there for the summer. He had no issues as long as he got a job so I'm fairly sure you could do the same as long as you get a job in SF. Did you find out anything since?It's an interesting question actually.

onethreefive · 29-05-2015 7:28pm

I know I'm asking this well in advance but I'm hoping on going on a J1 to San Francisco the summer after next.

It's something I've wanted to do for ages but I'd want to start saving now!

Basically I'm wondering how much a J1 to San Francisco would cost including the flights and money I need to have in my bank account going over and every other expense involved

Thanks!

moose522 · 05-08-2015 9:08pm

Hey guys,

Me and a couple of friends are planning on heading to a J1 in Boston next summer and I was wishing to know how its like getting a job and accomidation over there. Is it easy?

FYI I am practically american and Ive been living here for 5 years so I dont need to pay for a visa jus flights and stuff (guess you dont need to call this a J1). I do have family over there that could set me up with a job but was just wondering do they take irish people up on work for the summer? I have no idea how the system is like. I worked as a bartender for a couple of years and was thinking do they take irish people on that too?

Any past experiences or helpful tips could go a long way. Thanks!

chloesm94 · 05-11-2015 11:07pm

Swel wrote: »

Me and a friend are also going on a J1 next summer, looking at santa monica / san diego. If anyone has any advice or wants to join, the more the merrier!
Both from waterford, 21/22

Same with my group! San Fran too, just worried they'll nearly be overcrowded with people?

J1 costs; planning...

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