Okay so I am on my J1 this summer and I'm going home early. Why you might ask. For a few reasons, but that's not why I'm writing this blog post. It's more of what I've learnt and what I will definitely doing differently the next I come over. To give you a little background, I went with Go4less because I heard they were the cheapest option, and honestly, I don't think I'd go with them again. The first problem arose when nobody told me I had paid for the wrong visa to do my internship. So I ended up having to give up my internship, which would have been an amazing opportunity for me. Second criticism I have is that they are SO hard to get in touch with. I sometimes had to call 4 or 5 times before I would get an answer, and any time they would give me a time that they would return my call/e-mail, they wouldn't. It was pretty frustrating. Third criticism is their 'job database', where they promise they update daily with jobs that are being offered in America. Everyday for a week I checked daily and the same 37 jobs were displayed. However, there was one thing that I did really like about their company and that's the fact that they do everything online. You pay online, fill your forms out etc, which I loved because it made the process super quick and easy. So basically they're a good company if you don't run into any problems.
Anyways, on with the do's and don't's of a J1 trip...
Travel:
I know the J1 is a work visa but there is so many amazing things to see in the States and there are flights all of the time to these places and if you look enough you'll find your flights pretty cheap. I went down to South Carolina for a weekend and it was so interesting to see the massive difference between there and Boston. Also I got to see the Black Keys while I was down there, which was an experience in itself!
Don't think 'it'll be grand' when looking for a job:
I made this mistake and it meant I was unemployed for a good few weeks starting off. Start looking for a job straight away and be pushy. When you hand in a CV somewhere, call them within two days to see have they looked at your resume, it shows you can take the initiative and they'll probably offer you an interview over the phone. Also don't overlook the idea of craigslist, job offers are put up everyday. so look at it all the time! I got a good few interviews just by writing an enthusiastic e-mail with my CV attached.
Keep in contact with home:
You don't realise how much you home until you've left it. Skype is an amazing thing when you're away. It's so nice to talk to people face to face, rather than just over the phone and over FB. It makes it more personal and you don't feel so far away.
Bring tea with you!
It sounds crazy, but it's not. If you rely on your cup of tea to wake you up, relax you or fix all your life problems, then you're going to have a bad time if you wait to buy it over here. It's not available in all supermarkets and when you do find it it madly expensive. Americans just don't understand.
Don't use the sim card your J1 company gives you!
That sim card, no lie, was the biggest waste of €20. First of all it gives you two numbers, an American number and an international number. So this meant that people could call me on one number, but not text me, and vice versa with the other number. Then the American number stopped working altogether, so I can't even imagine how many interviews I missed because companies couldn't get through to my phone! The minutes also run out crazy fast on it! I had to put $200 in it one week, it was crazy. So my advice is just go into an American phone shop, get a sim card and a cheap phone and you'll be set for the summer!
Go with friends.
I didn't do this. I went on my own to Boston, I wanted an adventure, Lone Ranger style. And while this does sound great and exciting, in reality, it's pretty lonely. A lot of girls I know from college went to OC together, and I was so jealous of all the fun they seemed to be having together. It's even the little things, like having someone to go job hunting with, or someone to explore the new city that you have arrived in. That being said, being on my own allowed me to meet a number of amazing Bostonians. But for next time, I will definitely be going with a huge group of friends.
Don't stay in the countryside.
Good Lord, don't do it. I'm staying with my cousin in Boston and in theory it seemed like a great idea, free rent, real food etc. But while that was all great, it meant that I was 20 minutes away from everything, at the very least. There is no public transport out here, so you have to drive, get a cab or cycle, and no one cycles here! So always research beforehand little things like that before coming over.
Do buy your bikinis/bras at home!
They are expensive over here! Penneys will do the job. However, I do recommend Victoria Secret bras, they're like cushions for your boobs!
Budget.
It's so tempting to go crazy when you go over first, because the shopping is fantastic over here. But seriously, the new shoes, several Starbucks breaks and that Marilyn Manson shirt for $120 are probably the reasons I'm broke. In regards to the MM shirts, I regret nothing.
Be open to new experiences!
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, embrace it. Say yes to things. Just go for it!
These are just a few things I've learned from being over here for almost 2 months now. While it's been great, I'll be looking for a different sort of experience the next time I come over. I'm thinking NYC the next time, I feel my heart calling out to that city. Hope this helps some people.
What other tips do people have? How was your J1 experience?
I'd love to hear all about it!
Sinead,
x
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