Romy C.

At the beginning of this year, I was deciding what I was going to do with my summer. I had always envisioned myself doing a J1 at some stage but wasn’t entirely sure if I would be able to get it organized in time and have enough saved up to pay for the visa, flights and accommodation. Some of my friends were set on spending a summer in the States and I didn’t want to miss what was set out to be an amazing experience abroad. After hearing about other people’s experiences in Chicago the year previous, and after much deliberation with my friends, we decided it was the city for us and so we began planning for the summer ahead. I started saving as much as I could and paid off the visa within a matter of weeks.

The visa process was lengthy enough and tedious at times, but it was never an issue getting more information or help through it. Once I had a job sorted, I knew it was all becoming an actuality and I felt a big sense of relief. The final thing to tick off was my embassy appointment. It can be a daunting experience because you will most likely go to it on your own, but all the staff there are lovely and once you have all the documentation required from the checklist, you will be just fine. 

To make the most of my time over there, I arranged my flight so that I would make the first day of J1 accommodation. It took us a few days to get settled, and get set up in our apartment but once we had adjusted, it was time to begin work. Work was arguably the best part of my J1 experience. It allowed me the opportunity to meet so many new people, both Irish and American and to develop friendships that I would have for life. Work became something I looked forward to, rather than something I dreaded. The idea of coming home and working my usual part-time job became more and more unappealing.

Choosing the right city is important but I really do think it was the people who made my J1 experience so memorable. It’s not as much about choosing the right place, because every city offers something different and unique, but instead putting yourself out there, being open to making new friends and saying yes to every opportunity that comes your way. Chicago as a city was incredible. It has everything, from beaches to sports stadiums and museums to a super nightlife. The people there were so friendly and welcoming towards us and although I was thousands of miles from home, I never felt too far away.

Getting around the city was very straightforward. We used the Ventra app which allowed us to get from place to place without too much hassle. Ubers were cheaper than home, so getting back late was no trouble. However, the best way to explore a city is definitely to walk around it, so I spent the first few weeks walking to and from places as much as possible which helped my navigation a lot. It didn’t take long before I felt I knew the city well and could easily get around without using Google Maps. 

Chicago has a great sense of culture, unique to any other city I have visited before. There was a free jazz festival in early June which was so good we went twice. There is also a plentiful supply of blues and jazz clubs and bars that solely play country music. At the beginning of August, Lalapalooza takes place, which is a four-day music festival that headlines internationally recognised artists which was raved about. We also went to a few baseball and soccer games. The sports stadiums there were nothing like I had seen before, with an incredible atmosphere and great food and drink. Towards the end of our trip, we went to Six Flags which was a brilliant day out, full of lots of laughs and great memories. Twice a week there was a free firework display on Navy Pier which was very surreal. Although all the activities we did were so much fun, some of my favourite days were spent on the beach with friends, swimming, catching up and appreciating the cityscape around us. Spending the Fourth of July in America was something I had always wanted to do and getting to experience it with some of my closest friends in Chicago will be a memory that I will cherish forever. 

I had so many pinch-me moments over the summer and it really was one to remember. My J1 experience exceeded my expectations and I would love to do it all over again. My only regret is not staying there longer or travelling afterwards. I would highly recommend the J1 visa to anyone who has the opportunity to do one, you won’t regret it!