A tough summer ahead for Irish J1 students in the US

DANIEL O'CARROLL,

Published Friday, June 11, 2010, 2:22 PM

Updated Saturday, June 12, 2010, 10:34 AM

Larger Text

E-mail

5 Comments

Tough summer season in the US for Irish students

National student travel agency, USIT, and Cork-based agency, SayIt both reported another year of strong interest in the J1 travel program, with both agencies saying that this numbers remained strong despite the fact that many of last year’s crop had to return home jobless after running out of money.

Many, as usual, chose to take out exam failure insurance, said the agencies. Unsure, apparently of their ability to get through the summer without having to make an unwelcome trip back to the Emerald Isle when college repeat exams take place in August.

For some, though, there was light at the end of the tunnel. An ecstatic University of Limerick student described how she and three girl-friends literally walked into jobs at one of the New York City’s many Irish pubs.

“There’s the lucky ones as well as then unlucky ones; you just have to take your chances”, the student commented.

Last page < 1 2

Nster.com

E-mail

5 Comments

See all comments

allie.ready2wk | Aug 30, 2010, 02:59 PM EDT

I have a J-1 and H2b visa company. The job market has been tough the last two years. I feel for the students seeking work. In reality Americans will not scrub toilets or clean hotel rooms for min wage. The jobs are only offered after Americans keep turning them down. They are out there but the employers are still unsure due to the economy. If they would think about it, hiring foreign workers could actually help keep their business going......

Report abuse

Ms.Gail | Jun 14, 2010, 11:03 AM EDT

Advice to next year's students. Start in Sept, searching the net for the city you want to visit. Think about the type of employment you'd like, contact the local chamber of commerce to determine which businesses in the city provide the goods or services requiring the work the student would like to do. Research the company. Contact the company and ask about spending the summer working for them. Do that until an offer is tendered and accepted. One paragraph here, part time job for student.

Report abuse

Adoptsalot | Jun 14, 2010, 10:42 AM EDT

Somebody should have told these kids the real story, 10.6% of Americans workers are claiming Unemployment benefits, and the total unemployment number is estimatated to be 16.6-19.2% when you include those that have expired their benefits or did not qualify for them. Going to be really tough to find anything that will pay the bills.

Report abuse

zoeyue82 | Jun 12, 2010, 10:56 PM EDT

Report abuse

atekhaculture | Jun 12, 2010, 09:09 AM EDT

It is a great pleasure joining the site, i feel Home

Report abuse