It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of moving to a new country and forget the essentials. Gary knows...

I wish I’d read a lot more of these pre-travel tips before heading out on my work abroad adventure to Boston.

From visa embassy do’s and don’ts to accommodation scams - there are so many stories you hear from friends and family that it’s difficult to know what the truth is. So here is a brutally honest blog from someone that made the move completely alone.

Tip 1. Book your US Embassy visa appointment early

I was travelling to America on a Grad USA visa, but this is true for most J1 visas – such as the one you need to go on your summer J1 or Camp USA. Once all your paperwork is done with USIT, you’ll be prompted to head to the US Embassy for an in-person interview to complete the visa process.

Make sure you don’t delay doing this. Often people book the embassy interview too late, which delays getting your passport back and in turn can be expensive to date change or rebook your flights.

Also make sure you bring all your paperwork that you’ve been asked to. Irish passport sizes are different to what the US Embassy require for your visa – hence why lot of people are sent scrambling to the local pharmacy to get the correct pictures taken.

Also, take as little as possible. One friend decided to bring an iPad to the embassy. It won’t fit in the locker provided, trust me. So only bring essentials like yourself, your documents, and your phone. And be 30 minutes early for your appointment.

Tip 2. Research different airlines and flight prices

Check flights every day and be ready to pounce if a deal comes up. Once I’d made the decision to stick with Boston, I booked my flights that day and a couple of days later there was a sale on. However, as annoying as that was, on the flip side, flights do go up more often than they go down – so there are pros and cons for booking early and not holding out for a deal.

Tip 3: Pack no more than what you need

At the airport, make sure to arrive early to clear customs and head to departures. I also wish I’d not packed as much as I had. I completely packed for the wrong time of year – I hadn’t packed boots or warm enough clothes. Do a lot more research into where you’re going and what the weather will be like. It honestly was the last thing on my mind before leaving. Pack what you need, not what you think you might like to wear in a few months' time.

Tip 4. Budget for set up costs and spending money

Irish people in general can be funny when discussing money, but I did mention I would be honest. Depending on where you decide to live in the USA, you would need enough money to cover you until you find an apartment and a job. If you’re travelling on a J1 or Camp USA program, you’ll have a job lined up before you go. Often with accommodation – which is a win.

We use the phrase ‘’It’ll be grand’ at lot, but money in the beginning can disappear very quickly on flights, deposits for places, and buying essentials such as uniforms. The list can go on. A lot of landlords will ask for first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and a security deposit. A lot of us Irish students will not have a credit score, hence why finding a place financially can be tough in the beginning. Although it may seem daunting, do not fear. Once you start earning again that worry instantly fades away. Just remember to be easy on yourself and remind yourself this experience is once in a lifetime.

Tip 5. Be cautious when finding accommodation

Finding accommodation across the Atlantic can seem almost impossible. Especially when using forums such as Facebook groups, Craig’s List, and other websites – many of which can seem like a scam at first. Although some friends of mine have sourced accommodation this way, just try to be careful. A lot of accommodation websites I found useful were on Irish immigration groups, such as the Rian Centre here in Boston. They were a tremendous help in sourcing accommodation and pointing you in the right direction.

Also, don’t be afraid to make contact with people you know in the city you’re planning to move to. Although you may seem like a nuisance asking, we are always happy to help as we remember the feeling well!

Make sure to research areas in the city that will vary rent wise. For example, here in Boston, the South End or ‘Southie’ is considered a higher area in terms of rent in comparison to Brighton/Allston – which is a little outside the city with way cheaper rent. Do some research into leasing times. I know in Boston the annual move-out month is August, and my lease ran from March to August without the option to renew without losing my deposit. Ouch!

Tip 6. Research jobs and send out CVs

One of the best things I did before coming here was looking into the job market and different businesses that may take Irish students or graduates. Travelling on a Grad USA visa, you’re not permitted by the US to secure a job before you go. But for summer J1 visas, you can secure a job with USIT before you go - which eliminates this problem.

I studied in hospitality, and it was extremely beneficial to send my CV out before I went to start a conversation about a possible position as an intern. It definitely lessened the feeling of being anxious about finding a job. I happened to come across the hotel I am currently in and was lucky enough to be able to set up an interview. They are a dream to work for and understood the feelings of being scared and anxious about making the big move.

Reach out to the USIT Grad USA team for CV help and take advantage of their US employer contacts. Make sure to make a list of places you have sent an email to, and note who has and hasn’t responded or may not be interested. Remember that rejection is redirection to something better and even bigger again. Make sure to state clearly that you already have sponsorship through USIT to work in the USA, and your desire to learn from them. What you put into this experience is what you will get from it.

I hope this blog will help you secure your dream of moving to the USA. Looking back I wonder now why I was so worried – as it all fell into place. Good luck!

Thinking of taking the leap Stateside? Find out more about USIT graduate visas in the USA here