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I will be in June. Well you need to look for a job now and try sort it ASAP. You don't want to be disappointed when you get there.
IzzyWizzy
Has anyone worked in the US on this visa? I'm applying for one to go to New York in the summer but I'm worried about finding a job. Most people find work when they arrive but I'd prefer to have something arranged before I got there. There are sites with jobs but I'm not sure how reliable they are, etc. I'd be working in a hotel, restaurant, cafe, something like that!



Yes I have - this is the same J-1 that I (and all the other summer camp staff) had a couple of summers ago.

This is technically known as a Cultural Exchange Visa. I would suspect that most people actually have a job before they go out, as with support of organisations such as BUNAC, who incidentally run a Work America programme, you can make the arrangements before you fly.

If you're just applying ad-hoc as it were, direct to the Embassy, and without any of these supporting agencies then I would be quite intrigued as to where you're going to get a DS-2019 from...
I'm assuming you're applying through BUNAC or a similar programme in order to obtain the visa, I took part in Work America last summer, and I had a job lined up before going to America, most people do.

As for getting a job once you are there, if you are using BUNAC then they can provide help once you are there also. Otherwise I would recommend getting a job before hand, especially in New York, but i guess it depends on you - if you feel comfortable going out there without a job. Im sure there are lots of jobs going, just have to know where to start.
Reply 4
I'm applying through the J1 company in my uni like everyone does in Ireland. They don't help you with finding employment, just give you the necessary paperwork to get into the US. Isn't this more or less the same as with BUNAC? I had a quick look at the site and it seems they offer a job directory with no guaranteed places - obviously I can't see this directory not being a member.

Most people I know didn't have anything lined up before they got there - my best friend went to New York last summer and sent off CVs to places but nobody would hire her without meeting her and ensuring her papers were in order etc, so she went around looking for work when she arrived. She ended up getting 2 jobs but it took a while.
I'm im the process of applying, just arranging my interview now. I'm working for a company called Southwestern but this is over the summer between my 1st and 2nd years of uni. Basically, you run your own business over there. They do, however, take you on if you're a gap year student I believe. It's a good company to look up and a great opportunity to say that on your gap year not only did you travel thousands of miles away from home, but you also set up your own business. If you carry on with the proramme you can then become a manager and look after 5 or so people doing it for the first time, and then continue the summer after the be a manager to the managers, so it's a good way to set up summer work for yourself once you get to uni as well. Worth a look :-) www.southwestern.com
Reply 6
I was in New York last weekend, and there were job adverts up everywhere, particularly in restaurants and cafes. I would have thought, as you speak English, they would be pretty happy to employ you.
Reply 7
Oh really? That's cool. I'm actually fluent in English and Spanish which I assume is a bonus for NYC. I really want to find a job before I leave but all the hotels etc require a social security number which I can't even apply for until I arrive. :frown:
Reply 8
I'm sorry but you are insane. This isnt being mean its "tough love" and I totally understand the attraction of the US and wish you all the best. But here's the deal. First of all NY is one of the most expensive places in the world, makes Belgravia in London look like a shack in a field in John O Groats as far as price goes. Secondly there is no employment law like in the UK. If you work as a doctor you dont even get more than a years contract never mind as a waitress or whatever. You can also be fired for any reason, like if the boss doesnt like your shoes! It can also be very very lonely. There is a complete seperation of work and social life as an ethos in the US so if you dont know anyone dont expect to make any friends through work. To get a J1 visa you need work set up and the place of employment has to be registered as a J1 sponsor and give you a DS form which you then take to the embassy. It is not an easy process. Have you also thought about Health Insurance? If the place you work doesnt provide it your visa will be revoked. And being an illegal immigrant is not fun as you wont be able to go home and come back in again. Please think about these things before you make any decisions. America is great but it is tough. Ask anyone on this forum who has done it. BTW, not familiar with the Bunac thing but whatever you decide you need to talk to a lot of people who have done it for advice.
Reply 9
Thanks for the advice, I don't mean to be rude but you're assuming quite a lot. I don't see why I'm 'insane' at all - just about every single person in my class has been to the US for a summer on this visa, and everyone has managed fine and had a great time. My best friend just went to NYC last summer and found work when she got there.

First of all NY is one of the most expensive places in the world, makes Belgravia in London look like a shack in a field in John O Groats as far as price goes.


I know it's expensive, yes, but it's not THAT much more expensive than London or Dublin as far as I know. Are you referring to rent? I'm currently paying the equivalent of about 800 USD for a bedsit as it is. Maybe I'm naive but I thought I could get a room in a shared flat for under $700/month - I've looked up quite a few and I don't mind living in Queens or Brooklyn. I know food is quite expensive but buying staples in the supermarket isn't so bad surely? The times I've been there before I've found cheap enough pizza places and burgers etc.

Secondly there is no employment law like in the UK. If you work as a doctor you dont even get more than a years contract never mind as a waitress or whatever. You can also be fired for any reason, like if the boss doesnt like your shoes!


I'm only staying for 2 or 3 months anyway so I'm not overly bothered unless there is a major lack of jobs so that getting fired would mean not finding another one and not being able to pay the rent. Maybe my friend was just lucky but she had 2 waitressing jobs, and a third at one point without any hassle. I will of course be going with money to support myself until I (hopefully) get a job and get paid and pay for accommodation.

There is a complete seperation of work and social life as an ethos in the US so if you dont know anyone dont expect to make any friends through work.


I'm going with my boyfriend and I have family there. I'll most likely be too busy working to be making loads of new friends. I would expect the people I'm working with to be reasonably civil.

To get a J1 visa you need work set up and the place of employment has to be registered as a J1 sponsor and give you a DS form which you then take to the embassy. It is not an easy process.


You can get a J1 with no job set up. I've had a long meeting with the company and they let me to believe you can work basically anywhere (well, low paid things like waitressing of course, although I know a girl who worked at Vogue magazine). Maybe its different in Ireland than the UK? Or I'm missing something. It's not just me being an idiot and trying to do the impossible as loads of people have done this and this J1 company has an office in my uni and is reputable, etc. You have to go for an interview in the American embassy and so on.
IzzyWizzy
Thanks for the advice, I don't mean to be rude but you're assuming quite a lot. I don't see why I'm 'insane' at all - just about every single person in my class has been to the US for a summer on this visa, and everyone has managed fine and had a great time. My best friend just went to NYC last summer and found work when she got there.



I know it's expensive, yes, but it's not THAT much more expensive than London or Dublin as far as I know. Are you referring to rent? I'm currently paying the equivalent of about 800 USD for a bedsit as it is. Maybe I'm naive but I thought I could get a room in a shared flat for under $700/month - I've looked up quite a few and I don't mind living in Queens or Brooklyn. I know food is quite expensive but buying staples in the supermarket isn't so bad surely? The times I've been there before I've found cheap enough pizza places and burgers etc.



I'm only staying for 2 or 3 months anyway so I'm not overly bothered unless there is a major lack of jobs so that getting fired would mean not finding another one and not being able to pay the rent. Maybe my friend was just lucky but she had 2 waitressing jobs, and a third at one point without any hassle. I will of course be going with money to support myself until I (hopefully) get a job and get paid and pay for accommodation.



I'm going with my boyfriend and I have family there. I'll most likely be too busy working to be making loads of new friends. I would expect the people I'm working with to be reasonably civil.



You can get a J1 with no job set up. I've had a long meeting with the company and they let me to believe you can work basically anywhere (well, low paid things like waitressing of course, although I know a girl who worked at Vogue magazine). Maybe its different in Ireland than the UK? Or I'm missing something. It's not just me being an idiot and trying to do the impossible as loads of people have done this and this J1 company has an office in my uni and is reputable, etc. You have to go for an interview in the American embassy and so on.
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OK summer is fine, but you didnt make it very clear. I also want to emphasise that the idea of my post was to be tough but to make you think, and I think I have by the way you broke down my post into arguements, which is what I intended to do.

I honestly dont think you will get a decent room in even Queens or Brooklyn for $700 though- there are some VERY dodgy areas in both and even dodgier slumlords. I only say again from someone who made the move themselves (so I do know a little), be careful.

Yes, for Ireland it might be differnt to the UK but who knows. And how am i supposed to know yopu have family there :confused: :confused: :confused:
I only said "If you dont know anyone there it can be very very lonely"

Goodluck anyway- whatever you do it WILL definitely be character building but you might not enjoy it......that's all I have to say.
Just thought I'd add for amusement value as well as everything else- I bought a jar of coffee in a deli in NY and it was $7!!!!!! And it was like aTINY jar!
I'll provide you with these links:

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/niv/exchange.html

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/niv/japply.html

You should give them a good read and make sure you understand the process.

Out of interest what is the name of the J1 company that will be sponsoring your application, as they have to be a registered program to ensure you get your DS-2019, which you need to have to take the US Embassy when you have your interview.


http://www.fulbright.co.uk/eas/workexchange/index.html has links to lots of programmes that will give full support to you during your programme, and is useful.
Reply 13
Well J1 visas are only for 3-4 months so I thought it was obvious. I know it won't be easy, but the tone of your post made it sound like it was virtually impossible - I asked about expenses, how much would you say I realistically needed per month?

I honestly dont think you will get a decent room in even Queens or Brooklyn for $700 though- there are some VERY dodgy areas in both and even dodgier slumlords. I only say again from someone who made the move themselves (so I do know a little), be careful.


Where are these areas? How much do you think a decent room would be? I only want a room with a bed, not an entire apartment, and if it was a double room I'd be paying rent with my boyfriend. I know it's hard to tell on the internet but I've looked at sites with pictures and they look alright for around 700 dollars.

Yes, for Ireland it might be differnt to the UK but who knows. And how am i supposed to know yopu have family there


You weren't but there was no reason to assume I didn't. I'm aware it would be lonely if you were completely alone.

Goodluck anyway- whatever you do it WILL definitely be character building but you might not enjoy it......that's all I have to say.


I know that - but I've had some awful jobs abroad in the past so I'm not expecting too much. I just want to be safe and earn a reasonable wage to support myself for a few months.
Reply 14

Out of interest what is the name of the J1 company that will be sponsoring your application, as they have to be a registered program to ensure you get your DS-2019, which you need to have to take the US Embassy when you have your interview.


http://www.go4less.ie/

This is the company most people use and I assume they are registered etc as they organise the Embassy interview.
IzzyWizzy
Well J1 visas are only for 3-4 months so I thought it was obvious. I know it won't be easy, but the tone of your post made it sound like it was virtually impossible - I asked about expenses, how much would you say I realistically needed per month?

No- J1 visas are for up to three years, I'm on one myself. Its not just for summer exchanges but also for PhD students, post-docs, visiting scholars etc. It depends upon the length of the "project" that's specified on it what expiry date will be given. And dont take too much issue with the "Are you insane" its an NYism that I've picked up along with "Are you mad!", "You're kidding me right!" and the habit of saying "Excuse me" and then walking right into the person! I am currently living on around $3500 a month but I live in Manhattan and have a Bloomies habit. I think you could do it without living in a crack den for around $2200. But, if you are planning to go soon you are at an advantage because of the good exchange rate, but I dont know if that will last.
Didnt see the first part. If you were to live in Queens the best places are Forest Hills and Astoria, the first is lovely and green but expensive, and the second is very studenty. ALso rockaway is far out but very sedate and has a lovely beach. For Brooklyn- Park Slope is nice. And also DUMBO- seriously this is a place. Stands for down under the bipass under the manhattan brooklyn bipass but is seriously expensive- equivalent I guess to Canary Wharf in London.
Reply 17
I saw a lot of rooms in Astoria for well under $700 although I am not an expert in which streets are 'good' and 'bad', I would have to take the renter's word that it was a good area. Obviously I would love to live in a nice apartment in Manhattan but unless my boyfriend gets a well paid internship he's applying for, I am happy to settle for somewhere I won't get stabbed coming home at night. My main concern is just safety of the neighborhood and the apartment itself (no dodgy electrics etc). I don't mind about things like having an elevator or a doorman etc.

I was thinking of around $2000-2500 to live off of - I don't expect to be living the high life, buying clothes, eating out etc but at the same time I don't want to be really scrimping and saving the whole time. Is going out completely out of the question or are there cheapish places to go? How much are movie tickets there etc?
I was thinking of around $2000-2500 to live off of - I don't expect to be living the high life, buying clothes, eating out etc but at the same time I don't want to be really scrimping and saving the whole time. Is going out completely out of the question or are there cheapish places to go? How much are movie tickets there etc?


Is there any chance you can go over for a week or so to find somewhere to live? I arranged a day with a realtor and we literally spent the day going from place to place..... also try Craig's list if you havent already done so. If you wanna live in Queens You might want to try doing a housemate search on the website for the local college e.g. Queens College CUNY.
Generally, every area in NY has its own speciality for going out. For Queens absolutely the best in Chinese food. Flushing is just Chinese and that's it. Unfortunately in NY there is still de facto race segregation but for a gastronomic experience sometimes that works out OK. There are some pretty good hiphop clubs in Brooklyn, cheaper than Manhattan. But it is a really huge place so you have to take care in the subways. For Manhattan, the jazz and cabaret clubs in the village are often free, but the drinks quite expensive. I also recommend Samba Sushi- its actually a Sushi restaurant but for some reason they play Latino music that people dance to :confused: and has a really good atmosphere.
Dont listen to anything you've seen on SATC- its all hopelessly out of date, I made that mistake going to Bungalow 8 and it was such a disappointment.
Tao near 5th Ave is still in. Again free to get in but drinks are expensive. For clothes, recommend Forever 21, not century 21 that's horrible, but forever 21. Really cheap andt falls to bits after one wash but good for a vacation.
Movie tickets are about $12 each.
For some reason, a US idiosyncracy is that you can get your nails done really cheap ($6 in Brooklyn, $10 in Manhattan, as compared to 30 pounds insome places in the UK). So veen if you cant afford decent clothese your hands canalways look fabulous!
Finally, what I will say is avoid Times Square like the plague. Its just set up for tourists and the natives dont touch the place. For studenty bars go to the upper east side, tonnes of them.
Hope this helps.
I've done 2 J1s (I think they are more "the done thing" in Ireland, where I'm from too OP!) and had an amazing time on both, once I went to Montauk (town on Long Island) and once to California. Both times we all found jobs without TOO much trouble (may take a week or two walking around with CVs) but they love Irish students and if you go to the right places they'll have extra work for summer. I'm not so sure about NYC because obviously it's a lot more anonymous etc and expensive, I'm sure it's doable though! Usually accommodation isn't too expensive if you get together with other students which I would suggest...I came home from Montauk with $3,000 in my back pocket having had the time of my life! So if NYC doesn't work out I would recommend going to Long Island, it's a few hours away by train and many students go to the Hamptons and Montauk for work and fun - enjoy yourself, it was the best experience of my life!