This is pretty broad but its my first time doing a J1, looking for any advice on getting accomadation or jobs in San Fran, heading over in June. Four Irish lads heading over will live pretty basic and do any jobs, just looking for fun. Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks
I'm in practically same situation, never been to the states, goin to San Fran on my own at the start of June.. Might be looking for a house share actually if ye haven't got something sorted.. I think I have a job already sorted though.
Hey... Hve been on 3 j1s im finished college now, but went to SF in 2008...its amazing...we lived in Berkely its about 30mins train journey outside the city and where the majority of j1ers live... most people live in either frat houses, co-ops or appartments and Berkeley is best if you are under age cos you go to frat parties and there are a few over 18 nights...if you google the frat houses you will get a list and you can try and contact them, but the problem is that a lot dont respond so what you need to do is book a hostel for a few nights, then go out to Berkely, find frat row (piedmont ave) and knock on all the doors, thats what we did and we got somewhere (Alpha Sigma Phi, there was about 20 Irish and 20 Americans in the house was so much fun) ...Also go onto craigslist.com you may be able to sublet an appartment from someone for the summer and cram loads of people in...the city is great if you are over 21, my friend stayed in a longstay hotel in town....work wise jobs arent that easy to get for the reason that in SF, places wont take you without a social security card which often takes 3 weeks, in other cities they will take you on if you've just applied for it...once you get it ul get something though. best place EVER to work is Bubba Gumps Restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf so much fun...my friend and I got hired easily cos we had our ss cards from the yr before... Hope this was some help...
i was there summer 09. amazing city.. moving back in march for a year.. i can give you pretty much every bit of info you will need. if you want to know about housing jobs transport areas, what to do what not to do where to go..etc etc mail me at dohertyniall@hotmail.com...i will gladly help people find places to live as i did this for a good few last summer
this is a blog i am putting together as the days go by. each new post will have all the info you will need for san francisco. housing, jobs, application process, what to do upon arrival, transport in the city, areas of the city and some other helpful hints and tips to aid you and hopefully help you have a great summer.
Hi J1ers, If anyone is heading to San Francisco this summer make contact with the Irish Immigration Pastoral Center. Email: admin@sfiipc.org Add us on Facebook: Search Celine Kennelly or Irish Immigration Pastoral Center! We are a Non-Profit organization assisting Irish Immigrants and we always help out J1ers!! We can send you our J1 information handbook covering info and advice on Accommodation, Employment, Getting about and lots of handy tips. We have a list of employers that hired the J1ers last year which is a good starting off point to go looking for work. We will also be organizing some events for you over the summer. We had a J1 BBQ in Golden Gate park last year and it was mighty craic!! When you arrive in San Fran pop into the center on 5340 Geary Blvd, Suite 206 (Between 17th and 18th Avenue) it is a great meeting place to hook up with other J1ers!!!
I am the person who went by the name nody in previous posts. for some reason my account was blocked so i had to open another. ireckon its cause the good folks at j1forum.com dont seem to want other j1ers getting help from people who have already experienceed san francisco...its all a bit strange.
i started a blog solely devoted to giving info to j1ers going to San francisco. every few days i put up a new post with new info on what you need to do and need to know about SF as a j1er. its totally free and has no catch. its on a legit blogger website...think its microsofts...i learned about it from my tourism lecturer in college in IT Tallaght.
basically what the blog has so far is telling you about the application process, what you must do when arriving in SF or the US on a j1, all abot housing and how to get yourself sorted, jobs and where to look for them and what are the best options. i will add more stuff to it every few days. next up will be the transport system of the city. i will also give details on the districts of sf, on expenses, phone companies, places to do shopping, etc etc etc....basically i will tell you everywhere i went wrong last year and what you should expect so you can concentrate on partying as hard and as much as you can while there and not have any unexpected problems...
the reason i set up the blog was 1. to help you guys out through my past experiences, 2. cause i studied tourism and it is something i want to get into in the future and something like this might loko good on a cv 3. cause why the hell not...i was bored one night and decided to do it this way...i was initially gonna put it in a booklet and try sell it around the colleges but sure its costly enough doing a j1 you dont need to pay any more than you should.
if you do check it out i hope it helps you out a bit...i got loads of info before i left for sf from friends who live there. i spent 6 months in arnhem holland on erasmus in 2008 and met a few people from SFSU...
the blog address is http://sanfranj1.blogspot.com
this might get me blocked again from the site but sure i suppose that it is a fitting punishment for trying to help people along their way when going to SF.... maybe i should give them a shout out on the blog...that might keep them sweet...
im heading back to SF in april on a 12 month visa....cant wait...
Well Patrick. I am heading out to San Fran 26th May possibly with one other but not sure yet. I will be looking for accomdation in the city (learned that berkeley is a pain in the backside if your working in the city) if you are interested in sharing. Have you guys got jobs? I was in San Fran last summer and worked for Ben n Jerrys and Abercrombie and Fitch, so will prob go back to them places. My email davesquinn@yahoo.co.uk, cheers, Dave.
I have my heart set on j1'n to SF for the summer, but my friend who was supposed to be travelling with me has let me down :( I'm still considering going alone, its got to beat spending another summer bored in the Irish rain! Anyone interested in sharding accomodation in SF/Berkeley area? Contact me by email naiddelaney@hotmail.com or Facebook - search Sinead Delaney (you should see my network, Waterford IT in under my name).
Hey Sinead, know how you feel! One of my friends pulled out too but me and another lad are going over this summer. Let us know if you interested in looking for accommodation! patrickrussell100@gmail.com
Anyone who is looking to share a gaff with three lads for the summer give me a shout ahobbsy@gmail.com and here is facebook page i set up http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Francisco-CA/J1-san-fran-summer-2010/105780892785053?ref=ts
4 lovely Irish lassies movin to San Fran for the year on the graduate visa looking to know where the craic is! Any facebook groups or websites to find fellow J visa-ers??? :)
Anyone having probs with getting SS receipt or letter accepted by employers around Berkeley? I hear it is a problem and has been before. Anyone having problems with SS Office in same - rudeness is the norm
So my friend and I are heading back to san fran for the last week of our j1 and wer hoping to share a house for the week with a group of fellow irish party peoples, dont wanna have to stay in motels for the week cos the funds are low low low! dont mind sharing with loads wel be there probably on 19th aug so if anyone can offer some floor space wed much appreciate it!! email me at karenreidy89@yahoo.ie
Hey! Wanting to do a J1 to San Francisco next summer probably around June!Just wondering if anybody can give me ANY information about where to live and the costs of it, best places to work, weather (most important one!!) and anything else that might be important!It'll be my first time and I'm looking to go with my boyfriend!Really appreciate it!Thanks!!
