Written for Students, By students!
AS OF OCT '99 WE RECOMMEND ALL J1ers TO USE THE IRISHABROAD.COM J1 SECTION AT IRISHABROAD.COM
INTRODUCTION
With the youngest population in Europe, a highly
educated knowledge base, a booming economy and an unprecedented ‘feel good
factor’ - Ireland’s students are leaving the unpredictable summer weather
conditions behind and heading for foreign pastures.
Traditionally places such as Germany, France, Britain and the East Coast of the USA
have been ‘J1’ sanctuaries but increasingly this is spreading West. In 1999 San
Francisco witnessed it’s biggest ever influx of students revelers all in search of
the perfect summer of love, lust and loot.
COMING UP ON THIS PAGE:
J1 Student Nightlife in SF
J1 Student Job Info.
J1 Student experiences
More hints and tips
News Articles & Advice for Irish J1 Students
Irish
Abroad J1 advice
Ireland
Today J1 article
Irish students take on the
city’s accommodation crisis in droves
The U.S Information Agency (j-1 visas)
Other useful links
Dept. of
Social Security – Social security matters
Dept. of Labor – Employment
rights info.
IRS – Inland Revenue Service (tax info)
USIT – Union
of Students in Ireland Travel
CIEE – Council
(USIT J1 Sponsor)
BUNAC – British
Universities North America Clubs
DMV – dept.
of Motor Vehicles for CA Ids and driving license
European Student Services
– organise tax refunds - do everything for you!!!
The general consensus of 1999 San Francisco Irish students
– Ups and Downs!
Ups
- Diversity of city and nightlife
- Accessibility to other places such as Yosemite and Marin County
- An excellent transportation system
- Low Unemployment
- An established Irish network
- Cheap supermarket beer
- Student nights
- Friendly San Franciscans
Downs
Accommodation availability and cost
Amount of beggars and ‘con men’ around the city
Meeting old girlfriends and boyfriends you didn’t want to run into
Price of going out and tipping
Over friendly San Franciscans
Tips for J-1 Students
CALIFORNIAN DRIVERS LICENSE
If you don’t have a driving license in Ireland try sitting your test here. It is
only $12 and involves a relatively simple written test (38 Q’s with 5 errors
permitted) and a 10-minute practical. Visit the DMV offices on Fell St. (Call them on
(415) 5571179) and present your visa, payment, completed application form and be prepared
to have your picture taken. You do not have to sit the test immediately. The DMV issue a
handbook, which you should study beforehand. You will be given 3 attempts to pass.
Assuming you pass you will be able to hire or buy a car and you can even use your license
back home in Ireland (for a limited time).
Department of Motor
Vehicles (Includes 2 sample tests)
Some sites that can help you pass:
http://www.sjmercury.com/digitalhigh/drive/dmv/quiz1.htm
http://www.sjmercury.com/digitalhigh/drive/dmv/quiz2.htm
http://www.sjmercury.com/digitalhigh/drive/dmv/quiz3.htm
http://www.sjmercury.com/digitalhigh/drive/dmv/quiz4.htm
http://www.sjmercury.com/digitalhigh/drive/dmv/quiz5.htm
http://opstech.tfn.com/javascript/drivetest/jv_drvtb.html
www.caldrive.com/law.html
NIGHTLIFE
Going out is expensive. Be prepared to pay around $4 per drink + tips. A quick fix
solution is to drink at home from the supermarket of bottle shop where you can get about
12 cans for $8. Clubs and pubs such as the Holy Cow and Fiddlers Green offer $1 beers on
Thursday nights. When going out you will always be asked for ID – there aren’t
many easy ways around it but I’m sure you can use your imaginations. Most places
close at 2am but 1015 and the End up (SOMA area) both have late/early hours.
EMPLOYMENT
Apply for everything and accept whatever you are offered. You can always change job if
it doesn’t work out.
CALLING HOME
If calling Ireland (or long-distance) you should use a prepaid calling card. These are
available from many stores and come in $5, $10 and $20 units. The rates for each card vary
but expect to pay about 8 cents p/minute to Ireland with a connection fee of $1. The
cheapest card you can buy is called the Nickel card, which offers a 5 cents p/min. rate to
Ireland.
TRAVEL
Whilst staying in the bay area you should take some time to travel. If not before or
after your travels you should take weekend trips.
Popular destinations for J1ers include:
- Lake Tahoe
- Santa Cruz
- Yosemite
- Napa Valley
- Marin County
Other accessible destinations include:
- Monterey
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- San Diego (to Mexico)
"ESS can get you an income tax
refund quickly and easily by doing everything for you!"
20 Eden Quay, Dublin 1
Tel: 1850 66 88 66 Fax: 01 670 6963
This Site by Ruairi
(415) 2456512
Email: J-1@iname.com |
