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Where are you on the escape index? Read on. 

These Irish counties are the most desperate to escape to Australia 

A young woman looks out over the New York skyline - Robert Bye via Unsplash

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So, you innocently think that that's the cost of your no cream iced caramel soya latte frappe. Think again.

A guide to tipping in the USA

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Eamonn has had a bite of the Big Apple and spills the juice...

Top 5 tips for preparing for a J1 Trainee Visa to New York

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Because chasing the sun around your local beer garden isn’t an option.

7 reasons to work and travel in Canada this summer

Two young women posing for selfie on a street in Queenstown

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More chilled than a post-work tinnie, we are fully signed up to the Kiwi work ethic

Why New Zealand is the ultimate working holiday destination

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Build your network, learn from doing and have a good time while you're at it.

8 ways an internship can benefit your career

Four female friends sitting on a bench around a camp fire, all smiling with their arms around each other.

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Proving it is possible to have the best time whilst doing something parents and teachers would approve of...

9 reasons to work at camp this summer

Four young people with their back to camera at a US sports game

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Swapping hostess life in Chicago for Pennsylvanian ball pits, Kiera has no regrets.

Why I'm a camp convert

Want a career defining year in the States? It's a sign. 

6 signs this graduate visa might be the American visa for you

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Getting ahead after graduation in the PR capital of the world. 

Sean’s story: Working in PR in NYC on a USA graduate visa

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So you've found the city's best bagel shop and cheapest pint. But do you know your social security number?

My advice for your first few weeks in the USA

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Cannoli, cookies and coffee, Boston hits the sweet spot.

A guide to the perfect day in Boston

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Two hospitality heavyweights going toe to toe, who will tip it?

My experience of hospitality in America versus Ireland

Man standing in front of colourful balloon graffiti

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Passport up-to-date? Tick. Travel adaptors packed? Tick. US Embassy appointment booked? Huh, what?

6 things I wish I'd known before moving to the USA

Two young women in sunglasses singing karaoke

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How to make an amazing summer ever better – share it with others!  

My advice for making friends on your J1 in the USA

A pile of dollar bills falls from the sky on a white background - Eyestetix Studio via Unsplash

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Making sure every dollar of your hard-earned J1 cash lands in your pocket. 

J1 visa tax returns: Everything you need to know to get your tax back

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From Love Island stars to Lana Del Rey, there was no Summertime Sadness on Maeve's J1 in Chi-Town.

My experience of a J1 summer in Chicago

Two friends kayaking on the chicago river

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Been there spent that. J1-er Niamh gives us the rundown on how to budget for an all-American summer.

Advice for budgeting on your J1 in America

Four friends sat down at a Red Sox baseball game

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USIT Staffers, Aoife and Rob, give us the inside scoop on how they found their J1 accommodation in the USA.

How to find J1 accommodation in the USA

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Welcome to Newport, where the coffee's on tap and the sunsets slap.

A guide to Newport's best places to visit

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From American Football to pickleball, Emma breaks down all the ballgames of Boston.

My experience of Boston's favourite sports

A guy standing in front of the glass walls of a skyscraper view point with the New York skyline behind him. He is in a black sweatshirt and a hat.

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Scared to make the leap to live in the States? Gary spills the beans on his experience.

My experience moving from Ireland to America alone and how it shaped me

Selfie of two Irish girls in the LA hills 

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Safe travels = happy travels. Team talk from the USIT crew on staying safe on the road. 

Everything you need to know about J1 travel safety

4 males and 1 female in Central Park NYC in summmer

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Thinking about summer camp? Rob tells us why you should do it.

My experience of Camp USA and how it changed me

Three girls laughing in the woods at summer camp 

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Want to travel overseas without breaking the bank? We got you.

Everything you need to know when budgeting for summer camp

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How to find a job, accommodation and make the move to New York City on this one of a kind working holiday visa.

Everything you need to know about a 12-month working holiday in the USA

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Want to work in Australia but not sure what visa you need to get a job? Don't worry, we've done the geeking out for you.

Everything you need to know about the Australia working holiday visa

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Here to make sure you don't forget your passport (and camp essentials too).

Advice on what to pack for summer camp in America

Bondi Beach during the day - Raj via Unsplash

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If you visited one beach a day in Australia, it would take 32 years. Here's just ten - which seems more manageable.  

10 must see beaches in Australia

Author Roisin poses with summer camp Besties

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S'mores, friendship bracelets and getting paid min $2000 to have fun. Sold!

Why you need to work a summer at camp in the USA

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Make money, memories and a difference on kids' lives with a summer working at camp in America.

What to expect when you go to Summer Camp in the USA

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We know how Kate spent her last summer...

My summer working at Disability Camp in the USA

Campers enjoying a sunny afternoon in the camp main area

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Campfire bonding and arts and crafts. Niamh tells us what it's really at summer camp...

My experience working at a summer camp in California

A group of friends standing in front of an ice cream truck smiling and holding up their ice creams. They're joined by two golden retriever dogs with waggy tails.

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Why we've fallen hook, line and sinker for this classic all-American beach town. 

Why you should go to Cape Cod for your J1

Times Square NYC lit up at night - Photo by Reno Laithienne on Unsplash

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New York New York. So awesome, it got named twice. Here’s why you need it on your J1 or Grad USA radar.

New York guide: Where to do your J1, Grad visa or US internship

A brightly coloured row of houses in San Francisco - Photo by Andreas Strandman on Unsplash

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Liberal, diverse and innovative: the opportunities are golden in this famous city with the bridge.

San Francisco guide: Where to do your J1, Grad visa or US internship

A view of the skyline of LA in the daytime with skyscrapers and palm trees - Photo by Olenka Kotyk on Unsplash

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We’re ready for your close-up now. Turning the spotlight on America’s City of Angels. 

Los Angeles guide: Where to do your J1, Grad visa or US internship

A view of the Chicago Bean and city skyline - Photo by Sawyer Bengtson on Unsplash

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Shooting the breeze on the Windy City and why you should work and travel in Chicago. 

Chicago guide: Where to do your J1, Grad visa or US internship

A view of a banner at Fenway Park in Boston - Photo by Aubrey Odom on Unsplash

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America’s oldest city is also one of the most forward thinking. Here’s us spilling the Boston tea on living and working there.

Boston guide: Where to do your J1, Grad visa or US internship

A view of Capital Hill in the daytime - Photo by Samuel Schroth on Unsplash

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We’re waving our placard for living and working in the nation’s capital. Bill: passed.

Washington DC guide: Where to do your J1, Grad visa or US internship

A man looks through a viewfinder at the Seattle skyline at dusk - Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash

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Sleepless nights on where to work or intern in the USA? Meet Seattle. 

Seattle guide: Where to do your J1, Grad visa or US internship

Sunset cliffs in San Diego at sunset with a flock of gulls overhead - Photo by Neil Soni on Unsplash

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Stay Classy, San Diego. Our guide to living and working in California’s iconic city by the sea. 

San Diego: Where to do your J1, Grad visa or US internship

Two young men look at a Mac laptop and laugh - Disruptivo via Unsplash

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Professional Career Training – what’s that? Now there’s a question we get asked on a regular basis!  Most people know all about the summer J1 programme, and the various internship and graduate visas that we offer, but Professional Career Training for some reason has gone under the radar when it comes to peoples’ knowledge of it under the J1 category of visa.

Professional Career Training USA - the Visa You Have Never Heard Of 

A young woman wanders through Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market - Linda Xu via Unsplash

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We caught up with Maria McGrath on her advice to other solo travellers heading out to Oz. 

Maria's top 6 tips for moving to Australia solo

Two women on phones walk past New York graffiti - Ian Dooley via Unsplash

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Ah the Big Apple - Rob tells us about his incredible time living it up in NYC on his J1. 

My Summer Working as Waiter in a Cocktail Bar in New York

Girl at the beach - Isi Parente via Unsplash

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You honestly had us at earning money and perpetual sunshine. 

Wondering if a summer J1 is right for you? Check out our Top 10 reasons why you should go for it.

10 reasons why every Irish student should do a J1

The bright streets of Montreal - Benoit Debaix via Unsplash

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Hmmm... anyone else feel like we might need a bigger bucket?

10 essential hotspots for your Canada bucket list 

A table with papers during an interview - Van Tay via Unsplash

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Congratulations! You have been placed at camp and you’re in the final steps of spending the summer of a lifetime working in the US. But what now?

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Breeze Through Your US Embassy Interview

A view of the Empire State building from a hidden spot - Simon Shim via Unsplash

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Guest author Caoimhe gives us the low-down on the lesser-spotted parts of the Big Apple. 

Hidden Gems of NYC - The Top Spots to Include on Your New York trip

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Elaine O’Flynn travelled the whole way to Sydney to start a new life only to rediscover her love of GAA. Joining the GAA community has made her new life seem not as far from home as it really is!

GAA in Sydney? Here's What You Need to Know

The contents of a suitcase for summer - Timur Weber via Pexels

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A J1 is usually the first time you’ll spend a long time away from Ireland and it can be stressful trying to get organised for your big adventure. Luckily, we’re here to help!

Essentials to Pack for Your J1 This Summer

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From Facebook groups to join to job sites to post your CV, Amy's here with all the intel on moving to Australia. 

The USIT blog

June

These Irish counties are the most desperate to escape to Australia

May

A guide to tipping in the USA

February

Top 5 tips for preparing for a J1 Trainee Visa to New York

January

7 reasons to work and travel in Canada this summer

December

Why New Zealand is the ultimate working holiday destination

8 ways an internship can benefit your career

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