By Sarah Murnane
1. Your J1 company
The first thing you must know about your J1, is that whichever company you choose to help obtain your VISA, will be awful. They will make you work for it. Be prepared for the long email threads that go nowhere, random emails at two in the morning demanding passport documents and turning up at random abandoned looking buildings throughout the city in order to communicate with them. In many ways, trying to contact your J1 operative is much like what I imagine being a stalker is like, you’ve got to be persistent. It will work out eventually though, and start early because it does take more time that you think.
2. Fun
This is the most important thing to remember. It is easy when you move away to get absorbed in all the bad things. You will likely be homesick, especially if it is your first time living so far away from home. If you are with friends, that makes it easier, but it can also be difficult to watch them get upset and deal with homesickness. The important thing to remember, is you can have fun anywhere at any time. Work hard, make money, spend money. America is a hilarious place if you know what to do. Talk to people as much as you can. Bar culture in America tends to be different, people are open to talking and making friends much more than in Europe. Be open to all the experiences you can be outside of work. It is only three months, and while things can be difficult, the times you will remember the most are when you were having fun.
3. Romance
It is bound to happen folks. You set sail for the new world, with a bunch of other students in their early twenties, it is basically a moving brothel. Here are the rules. Just like Vegas, whatever happens in America, stays in America. If you have a girlfriend or boyfriend back home, but don’t want to be tied down for the whole summer, just use the age old line: “I just need some time to figure out things on my own”. When you get back you can probably smooth things over. Probably.
It is always worse to come back with an American in a relationship though. No one wants to see your ‘promise ring’ or hear about how you’ll visit each other every summer. You won’t. Cut it off while you still can, and save yourself some embarrassment. Yes, all your friends are laughing behind your back at that stupid necklace you wore for two months after you came back to “remind you of them”. Head my warning and do not fall for the trap.
4. Money
The first thing you need is money. Do not believe the rumours, this is the tricky part. Some of your peers probably have great jobs, you’ve most likely heard of the friend, of the cousin, of the dog, of the neighbour who immediately got a great job as a bartender and made thousands on their J1. This can happen, but it is rare. Managing your money is important, and whatever you can do to get the best job you can, you should. Pick your employers carefully and try not to let them mess you around too much. It is important to remember though that it doesn’t matter how much money anyone else is making. You will likely end up in a less than desirable job for your J1, and that is perfectly okay. If you feel white hot hatred burning through your body anytime you have to go to work, you are probably doing things correctly.
5. Identification
My final words of wisdom, is always keep some form of identification on you. American authorities do not joke around and neither do American bouncers, it is always good to be able to pull out identification on the spot. Especially as I am sure any prospective J1 student has seen in the news, the American’s are getting a little more preferential for who they will let in and who they will not. The stereotype is true however, American people do really like Irish people. Being able to identify yourself as one in a pinch is never a bad thing. Thankfully., ISIC provides an elegant solution to this. They can give you an internationally recognised student card, in fact it is the only UN and EU recognised student I.D. So, when the next American Civil War starts while you are working your minimum wage Jewish summer camp job in Missouri, you can be correctly identified! It also gives you plenty of discounts and access to deals which is never a bad thing as a student. Happy J1-ing !