Best known for its fancy white mansion, imposing national monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall (where Martin Luther King famously delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech), and the hallowed halls of the Smithsonian and Kennedy Centre: Washington DC often has a stately reputation – which can often put some people off.

That’s unfair, as in fact, Washington has a sports, nightlife and culinary scene that rivals most cities in the whole of the US. From the historic cobblestones of Georgetown to the boho jazz bars of U Street Corridor and the bougie, loft-style restaurants of Shaw – Washington is also home to diverse and eclectic neighbourhoods. (As well as some excellently named ones, looking at you Foggy Bottom). Sitting on the banks of the Potomac River and with green spaces for picnics and people watching – it's also not short on natural beauty. Then of course, you’ve got world-class sites like The Smithsonian, the Library of Congress, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and even the International Spy Museum.

If Washington’s hallowed corridors of power and museums archives could talk, they’d probably say this is one of the best places in America to come here on a working or student visa. Washington DC is a hotbed of international business, politics, diplomacy and media. As the nation’s capital, it hosts most industries and sectors, including communications, law, technology, security, finance, art, history and hospitality. Plus, Washington DC has a healthy internship culture – with businesses and international organisations used to taking on interns and graduates from all over the world.

The average wage here per hour is give or take USD $15-20, and there’s also often perks such as complimentary housing, tips, staff meals and end of bonus contracts up to USD $500 here too. Each year, we have 1,000+ J1 jobs with our tried-and-trusted US employers across America. Book onto J1 early and select ‘USIT Job’ for access to our online Job Hub where you can search, apply and get hired.