Last summer, I had the lucky and wonderful opportunity of going on a J1. I was placed at a summer camp in upstate Minnesota. It was a great experience and here are my top tips if you’re looking to apply!
- Go through an agency.
My first tip is and always will be to go through an agency. It sounds straightforward, but they will help you with a lot more things than you would think. They will help you with the application process, your visa, insurance and even sometimes with a SIM card! They also help you with getting a social security number once you get to the US. They will tell you what to do, when, how and where. They will be your first point of communication when you are in the US, whether it’s because you need help, have a question or just need some extra support. They can be expensive, and some may not help you as much as they should. Make sure to go through an agency that has good reviews, and you feel confident won’t scam you.
- Decide if you want to work in a city or Camp America.
There are 2 types of J1‘s, each with their own unique style and experience. You can either go the Camp America route and work at a summer camp either as a counsellor or as a worker that helps the camp run smoothly. Or you can go and work in retail or hospitality. Both jobs will have pros and cons; while working at a summer camp ensures free accommodation and for the most part food, most are in isolated areas and it can be hard for you to do and see things on your day off. For the hospitality and retail work, as you are working in shifts it’s much easier for you to explore around. However, you need to keep in mind that the money you earn will be spent straight away. Whether it’s because you need to pay rent, or just the cost of living. The costs easily make saving up money difficult.
- The DS-160 form.
AGGGHHHH!!! Is all I have to say towards this form. The DS-160 form was created by the US Department of State that you will need to fill out before going to the embassy to get your visa. It has questions about yourself, your life, your health, and about your intentions towards going to the US. While it doesn’t sound tedious when I explain it, trust me when I say it is. The website crashes after every 2 questions, and makes you re-sign in every time. A form that is supposed to only take you an hour and a half took me much longer. Make sure you don’t have anything planned for that afternoon, and try your hardest to stay calm, because trust me, you will gain grey hairs…
- Getting a visa.
Getting a visa has multiple steps to it. Luckily for you, I am here to explain it to you (this is also where having an agency helps). You will first need a visa sponsor. Your sponsor will be your place of employment, so either the summer camp you will be working in or the bar/café/store you are working in. You will need proof of your employment (aka a contract or employment letter) and a completed DS-160 form. You will then need to book an appointment with the US consulate/embassy that is nearest to you. In Dublin, the embassy is located in Ballsbridge, D4. You will need to bring your passport amongst other documents specified. Then you will have to get into 2 lines. The first ‘interview’ you have, will only take 5 minutes. Where your documents will be checked and that you have everything you need to go onto the second interview. The second interview is with a US government official, who will ask you questions about yourself and your J1. At the end of the interview, they will tell you if your visa has been approved or not. If your visa is approved, they will keep your passport, and you will be able to collect it a few weeks later with your visa already inside. Note that you will have to print everything you bring with you, as you are not allowed to bring a phone inside!
- Do your research about the place you will be employed in.
It may seem silly, but I can’t emphasise how important it is that you research thoroughly about the place you may be employed in. Check reviews, social media, websites etc. It will give you a feel for what the place is like and will allow you to know if it is the right fit for you or not. There will always be another offer from another place, so if the place doesn’t feel right for you, that’s okay! You can simply say “no thank you” and move on to the next place. Don’t simply ignore your gut instinct and get to the place and end up hating it. You can also sometimes find people on TikTok that have worked in the place you are looking into. Most will be open to you having a chat with them on what their experience was like. No better review then from a person that has been in your shoes!
- Set up phone calls/video calls/ get in touch with your bosses.
Another great way for getting a feel for what the place is like is to get in contact with your management. Ask to set up calls, preferably via Zoom, and have an informal interview with them. Remember that during the interview, it’s not only them looking to see if you are a right fit for them, it’s also you seeing if the place is a right fit for you. Ask them questions like what the typical day is like, what the place is like and what you are expected to do. You will very quickly get a sense of what the place is actually like, and if it really is the right fit for you or not!
While this article is a lot more technical and may not give you the answers you wish, just remember that your J1 is a time where you are supposed to enjoy yourself. It will be scary, and you may at times question if you made the right decision, the homesickness will hit and you may want to get the next flight back. Remember that it’s a once in a lifetime experience and that everything will work itself out. Not everything is a 10/10 all the time, even back home, and remember that it is okay to have bad moments! So, just enjoy your J1! Go see all those sights and have a blast in a new place!
If you still have more questions about your J1, don’t worry; I may or may not have heard from a little birdie that a part 2 to this article has already been written…
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