Now accepting PART TIME courses!
Want to live the American Dream?

Apply before it’s too late!

  • Deposit
    €499
  • Travel 30 days before your work papers start
  • We accept all degrees
  • Access to Internship Database

This programme must be purchased through a US government nominated sponsoring agency. We are affiliated with Council for International Educational Exchanges (CIEE) who are nominated by the US Dept of State to operate this programme. You cannot apply directly to the US Government for this programme. CIEE appoint agencies in countries worldwide to offer the programme on their behalf and in Ireland USIT are their nominated partner organisation. CIEE do not sell directly to the public. This is an internship category programme, all positions must be internship positions.

Participant Experiences

Since moving to New York, I’ve received numerous emails asking for NYC recommendations and so last week I began my NYC "Tour Guide" series by sharing My Weekend Favourites; a good one to bookmark or share with friends. I’ll definitely be doing many more posts like this, but in the meantime, I want to address another topic which I’m even more frequently asked about: The in’s & out’s of actually moving to New York. An exciting but also INSANELY daunting experience. I only wish that I had been able to meet with someone before I moved to hear all the ‘insider’ tips & tricks, so for any of you guys that are moving (or thinking about moving) in the near future – I’m hopefully about to make the task that little bit easier...

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Alison from Kildare
Personally living in America I have made friends and family for life. Anyone who is too afraid to travel alone, I honestly would recommend it 100%, it’s the best way. Alison from Kildare
Personally living in America I have made friends and family for life. Anyone who is too afraid to travel alone, I honestly would recommend it 100%, it’s the best way

Alison from Kildare
Ciara from Dublin
I must have only been here 2 weeks and was invited to a networking event for Dreamforce. It took place in a swanky Irish bar and the attendees were all successful professionals... Ciara from Dublin
I must have only been here 2 weeks and was invited to a networking event for Dreamforce. It took place in a swanky Irish bar and the attendees were all successful professionals. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and you could easily walk up and have a conversation with a manager for one of America’s most profitable companies. As the night went on I found myself with a VIP ticket to the Bruno Mars concert at City Hall that night, with an after party performance by Will I Am. It happened be the eve of my birthday, and a 24hours I won’t easily forget
Ciara from Dublin
Robert from Dublin
I found an internship right away in a start-up Recruitment company so I was lucky in that I wasn’t waiting around looking for something to come up...Robert from Dublin
I found an internship right away in a start-up Recruitment company so I was lucky in that I wasn’t waiting around looking for something to come up. The kind of projects I worked on involved sourcing potential candidates for specific roles with a major client and holding some of the screening interviews before submitting these candidates. Recruitment is huge in the US so it’s been great to get a taste of what it’s like here.
Robert from Dublin
Paul from Leitrim
Spending 6 long years studying part time and holding down a full time job was very demanding. So I had intentions of travelling after my 6 years. California was always a destination I wanted to visit, So the 1 Year USA Programme was very appealing to me with the bonus of getting work experience in my field of study. Paul from Leitrim
Spending 6 long years studying part time and holding down a full time job was very demanding. So I had intentions of travelling after my 6 years. California was always a destination I wanted to visit, So the 1 Year USA Programme was very appealing to me with the bonus of getting work experience in my field of study.
Paul from Leitrim
Aoife from Dublin
I chose to do the programme because I’m a strong believer in going out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself; these things are character building. I was lucky enough to get offered a job about a month before I went over, but it wouldn’t have changed my mind about going if I hadn’t. Aoife from Dublin
I chose to do the programme because I’m a strong believer in going out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself; these things are character building. I was lucky enough to get offered a job about a month before I went over, but it wouldn’t have changed my mind about going if I hadn’t.

Aoife from Dublin
James from Cork
I was very interested in traveling and see more of the country and gain more experience. The one year graduate visa is brilliant as it allows plenty of flexibility. James from Cork
I was very interested in traveling and see more of the country and gain more experience. The one year graduate visa is brilliant as it allows plenty of flexibility. The highlight of my trip so far has been meeting and catering for Irish celebrities such as Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Ryan Tubridy (to name but a few). Working in one of the best Irish hotels in America I’m sure there will be plenty more to add!
James from Cork
Meadbh from Dublin
I love that moment every morning when I get off my subway and cross Fifth Ave to get to work and look up and see the Empire State building. That is my surreal “I’m living in New York!” moment. Meadbh from Dublin
II love that moment every morning when I get off my subway and cross Fifth Ave to get to work and look up and see the Empire State building. That is my surreal “I’m living in New York!” moment.

Meadbh from Dublin
Rory from Belfast
I would certainly recommend the USIT 1 year USA visa to other graduates in Ireland. It is a fantastic opportunity to gain great work experience and travel through an amazing country. I have made trips to New York and Miami and am planning a trip to California before returning home. Rory from Belfast

I would certainly recommend the USIT 1 year USA visa to other graduates in Ireland. It is a fantastic opportunity to gain great work experience and travel through an amazing country. I have made trips to New York and Miami and am planning a trip to California before returning home.

Rory from Dublin
On New Year's Eve found myself on a stage in the middle of Times Square working on the live countdown with 1 million people in the crowd below!Roisin from Dublin
Roisin from Dublin

I came over to New York on the 1 Year Work USA Graduate visa last year. I studied marketing in college and have always wanted to work on the creative side of the industry, with a focus on marketing events and event production. Through interning I have worked on the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2011 and 2012, the CNN Heroes Awards in Los Angeles and on New Year's Eve found myself on a stage in the middle of Times Square working on the live countdown with 1 million people in the crowd below! At the moment I'm at Nickelodeon working as an associate producer and it's so much fun, I never want this year to end! There really is no comparison to getting to work in the States for a while, everything is done on a bigger scale and you get to meet such a wide range of people from all walks of life. To anyone who is unsure as to whether they should apply for the work visa... honestly just go for it, I did and it has been the best move I've ever made.

Roisin from Dublin
Cian from Cork
It’s very challenging to start all over again in a new country, but you’ll learn so much about yourself and the place you’re in. I think it makes you more capable and it really looks great on your CV!Cian from Cork

Doing the 12 Month USA work programme has probably been one of the best things I’ve done. It’s very challenging to start all over again in a new country/city, but you’ll learn so much about yourself and the place you’re in. I think I makes you more capable and it really looks great on your CV when you do get back to Ireland. And that’s not even getting into the amount of fun you have doing it!

Cian from Cork
Ben from Dublin
Before long I was working in a renewable energy company and learning from world renowned experts in the field. I could not have asked for a more enjoyable and rewarding learning experience, not to mention the fun I had living in California. Ben from Dublin

I moved to San Francisco with an IWT internship after graduating as an engineer in Dublin. Before long I was working in a renewable energy company and learning from world renowned experts in the field. I could not have asked for a more enjoyable and rewarding learning experience, not to mention the fun I had living in California. It is tough finding a placement when you initially go over but there are so many opportunities in the U.S. that you will find something right for you as long as you put the work in. The company I worked for have asked me back so I am looking forward to returning soon, this time on the USIT Internship USA Programme!

Ben from Dublin
Eleanore from Dublin
I got to work at the Jingle Ball interviewing the likes of One Direction, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift, and I was able to do the premieres of some amazing films including The Host and The Place Beyond The Pines. Eleanore from Dublin

I came over to New York on the 1 Year Work USA Graduate visa last year. I completed my Masters in International Journalism six months previously and I decided that the best way to compete in the Irish job market would be to have invaluable experience.

I began a full time paid internship with HollywoodLife.com, where I worked as a celebrity reporter in an office overlooking Times Square. I worked all day writing and reporting about celebrities, and in the evenings I was able to attend some amazing parties and red carpet premieres. I got to work at the Jingle Ball interviewing the likes of One Direction, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift, and I was able to do the premieres of some amazing films including The Host and The Place Beyond The Pines. I have been able to interview some huge stars, including Ryan Gosling, Gwyneth Paltrow and NeYo to name just a few.

Eleanore from Dublin
Sean from Dublin
The best thing about the J1 graduate scheme is that it allows Irish students excellent opportunities to engage in the American workforce and gain such valuable work experience that will be influential for any future career.Sean from Galway
The best thing about the J1 graduate scheme is that it allows Irish students excellent opportunities to engage in the American workforce and gain such valuable work experience that will be influential for any future career.

I was lucky enough that I had a lot of freelance journalism experience in Ireland to take on the role as a Journalist and Reporter at IrishCentral in New York which is North America’s largest Irish site and also working as a local reporter in New York for sister publication the Irish Voice.

Sean from Galway
Robbie from Dublin
I am currently in a 3 month long advertising internship. I couldn't really be happier with it as it's the biggest agency in the world and the experience has been amazing already. Projects vary from week to week anything from social media to all inclusive campaigns. Robbie from Dublin

I am currently in a 3 month long advertising internship. I couldn't really be happier with it as it's the biggest agency in the world and the experience has been amazing already. Projects vary from week to week anything from social media to all inclusive campaigns.

Robbie from Dublin
Andrew from Kilkenny
My internship was with Apostle Pictures in SOHO. It's the production company of Irish-American actor Denis Leary. I had done a video editing course before I left Ireland, so with this in hand I suggested I put together clips from their productions that they could push out through their social media. Andrew from Kilkenny

My internship was with Apostle Pictures in SOHO. It's the production company of Irish-American actor Denis Leary. I had done a video editing course before I left Ireland, so with this in hand I suggested I put together clips from their productions that they could push out through their social media.
Because of this, the role turned into a paid, 5-days a week internship. I ended up taking their Comedy Central TV series, Contest Searchlight, and reworking it into web-isodes that featured on the Comedy Central website.

Andrew from Kilkenny
Ivor from Cork
The flexibility within the 1 year visa offered by USIT allowed me to pursue whatever route I deemed best for my career. I was taken on in one of the most progressive digital advertising agencies in the world where I was given some training and worked on some of the most prestigious and sought after accounts/clients in the industry.Ivor from Cork

The flexibility within the 1 year visa offered by USIT allowed me to pursue whatever route I deemed best for my career. I was taken on in one of the most progressive digital advertising agencies in the world where I was given some training and worked on some of the most prestigious and sought after accounts/clients in the industry.

Ivor from Cork
Anna from Dublin
If you love work and love travel and want one of the best experiences of your life, go for it! The USA is an amazing and diverse country to work in and not many get that opportunity.Chloe from Belfast

The job I found is in Los Angeles with a sound design company called Diablo Sound. I am working with a team of others on all the sound design and audio installation for Halloween Horror nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.
If you love work and love travel and want one of the best experiences of your life, go for it! The USA is an amazing and diverse country to work in and not many get that opportunity. USIT has been an amazing help and support throughout the whole process and I would not hesitate to use them again if another opportunity arose.

Chloe from Belfast
Anna from Dublin
I relocated to New York and was taken on by Foursquare, a well-known tech company with a community of over 50 million people worldwide.Anna from Dublin

I relocated to New York and was taken on by Foursquare, a well-known tech company with a community of over 50 million people worldwide. Joining the company at such an exciting time, with the launch of a new app, meant gaining invaluable, international experience in the tech start-up industry.

Anna from Dublin
Marcel from Dublin
I always wanted to travel to the US. It's obviously not the easiest place to get legal status in for any long period of time - so this programme was a great opportunity I had to seize.Marcel from Dublin

I always wanted to travel to the US. It's obviously not the easiest place to get legal status in for any long period of time - so this programme was a great opportunity I had to seize.

I secured a digital marketing internship with an ad-tech startup called Pricing Engine, located in SoHo NYC. Due to the start up nature of the company I am able to get involved with a lot of different projects. We have some major partnerships coming through and are entering new and exciting markets with a lot of room for growth. I help manage our diverse range of clients on various ad channels as well as contributing new ideas for the company. Its hard to think of one single highlight during my time in the USA - I lived in California for a month and a half which was awesome! The move to NYC was also really exciting. It's a city with so much to discover, I love it!. If you are considering doing the programme, apply for positions before you get here and don't be put off by any rejections - you'll definitely find something that's right for you!

Marcel from Dublin
Conor from Louth
I’m currently working for a contractor in Manhattan and half way through a project which the client is a very well-known bank in the world. We are doing an internal renovation on two floors approx. 70'000 square ft.Conor from Louth
I’m currently working for a contractor in Manhattan and half way through a project which the client is a very well-known bank in the world. We are doing an internal renovation on two floors approx. 70'000 square ft. The project is approx. $12 Million. My highlight so far this year being in the USA was going on a company trip a couple of weeks ago to the Caribbean Islands. It wasn't just all sun and sea we actually did have to go to meetings in the morning!
Conor from Louth
Niamh from Claire
I have gotten the opportunity to work on projects in manufacturing and design services as well as have the opportunity to network, and develop relationships with engineers and customers from all over the world which will be invaluable for me as I develop my career.Niamh from Claire
I can't recommend getting this Visa highly enough. It is 100% the best move I have ever made, career and lifestyle wise. Not only have I gotten to travel and experience some of the most famous and beautiful places in the world, I have also started developing my career in one of the most technologically innovative areas in the world.
I am training as an engineer for a medical device company in the heart of Silicon Valley (doesn't get much better than that for my CV/Resume). I have gotten the opportunity to work on projects in manufacturing and design services as well as have the opportunity to network, and develop relationships with engineers and customers from all over the world which will be invaluable for me as I develop my career.

Niamh from Claire