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THE Union of Students in Ireland, with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and American Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin O’Malley, will launch the J1 Guide 2016 this Tuesday at Leinster House.
Since its launch in 1966 the J-1 Summer Work Travel (SWT) programme has welcomed 150,000 Irish young people to the United States.
“USI and the Department of Foreign Affairs have produced this latest guide to working and living in America under the J1 visa. It includes tips on staying safe and planning the J1 trip of a lifetime, while being a good ambassador for Ireland and showing the best example to American citizens of how Ireland is today,” Kevin Donoghue, USI president said.
USI are advising students who want to take part in the J1 programme this year to sign up early so that they have time to organise a job in advance. The main Irish J1 agents are currently running placement programmes to help students secure a summer job in the US.
“We’re urging students to get involved now with the job placement process so they can take up the roles that are on offer. Once students have a job secured, they’ll have all the hard work done and be able to look forward to a great summer in the US,” Mr Donoghue said.
In advance of the launch, Minister Jimmy Deenihan, “The J1 Summer Work and Travel programme has played an extremely positive role in building US-Irish links over the past 50 years. The Government’s focus is on maximising student participation in the J1 programme in 2016 and beyond. I am pleased that the department is in a position to support USI in the production of this excellent and informative guide. I strongly encourage students wishing to apply for this year’s summer J1 to engage with the process now so that they can meet the requirements of the programme and go on to have a great experience in the US.”
Ambassador Kevin O’Malley said, “With the recent changes, the US government is working with applicants, Irish Government representatives, and independent US and Irish implementing institutions to ensure that Irish students continue to benefit from the J-1 programme just as they have in the past.”
