For 35 years, summer holidays spent working in the US have been as integral a part of Irish student life as late-night cramming, early morning headaches and pot noodle.
Despite the boom in Ireland, pot noodles are still spanking gorgeous and the US is as popular as ever.
Since 1966, more than 100,000 students have worked in the US on the scheme. It is easily possible that some of the Y2K hopefuls will be following in their parents' footsteps. This is doubtlessly not a thought their parents are comfortable with, both because of the age it makes them feel and because they know what they did on their time Stateside.
"This year Usit NOW has 8,750 places for the US work and travel programme. That's the highest number we've ever had - last year the figure was 8,400 and the year before it was 7,500," says Aideen Masterson, USIT NOW's marketing manager.
Folk memories of limited J1 availability led thousands of students to queue up for hours at the start of the month when the applications became available, but this was not necessary. "We implemented a ticketing scheme which worked well and though there is still a strong demand for applications we have about 2,000 left," she says.
Masterson says that for a number of reasons the emphasis is less on work and more on travel. "Students have more disposable income right now and there is a lot more part-time work going through out the year. This means that they are not going out with the attitude that they have to repay loans or college fees."
As a result of this, the average student on last year's scheme managed to visit three states and take a two-week holiday at the end of the summer as well.
"It's all about the chance to really sample the US lifestyle and make the most of the unique opportunity of being somewhere you've always read about, heard about and seen on TV and movie screens," says Masterson.
That's all well and good, but where does one stand the best chance of work? From the survey that Usit conducts of those who have gone on their scheme, it appears that the east coast still offers the best chance of finding employment. Students who came in through New York (47 per cent of the total) took an average of 6.5 days to find a job and those who came in to Boston (31 per cent) took about 7.2 days," says Masterson.
This she puts down to tradition. "They've always been the most popular - it's word of mouth from other students".
If the Big Apple and resorts full of what Usit terms "happy, smiley holidaymakers" (or loud, yappy and shallow morons - depends who you ask) is not your thing, then never fear, it is a big country. The entry point for the great lakes and mid-west area is Chicago. This offers the advantage of having more diverse employment in something more akin to the "real" US (wherever that may be).
"We have heard of students working in the crime labs in Chicago, on stud farms in Kentucky and in casinos in the Wisconsin dells," says Masterson.
Chicago does have significant downsides however. Jobseekers passing through the windy city last year found that it took them on average almost 9.2 days to find a job, and there can be problems finding accommodation also.
San Francisco is the furthest point of entry for J1ers from Ireland. By far the most attractive place to work, and offering access to California, the Pacific coast and the wilder western states, this town is hardest of all to find the yankee dollar. Most of the 900-odd students who came into San Francisco decided to stay there. Short-term accommodation is plentiful but with a one per cent vacancy rate, finding a long-term place to stay is nigh on impossible. Short of trusting your luck to finding a residential hotel therefore, Masterson warns it "is a must" to sort accommodation before you go.
Visa-holders who went in on the east coast reported higher earnings than those who went through Chicago or San Francisco. Three hundred and fifty dollars a week was the average in New York; in Boston it was five dollars more.
The San Francisco average was a respectable $343 per week with Chicago taking the wooden spoon with $314 as the average.
ALL THIS RAW DATA can only tell so much, Masterson points out. America is such a huge diverse place that generalising can only go so far. However, "last year's survey results provide a good indicator when deciding where you would like to spend your summer". What the survey really points out, however, is the importance of preparation in planning your visit.
Ah, yes, planning, the inherent strength of all who study at third level. It may seem all you can do to keep up with deadlines, both social and academic, especially in the run-up to exams and, what with the park across the road looking nice in the sunshine - but a little planning now can have a big payback once you get Stateside.
You can't be too well informed, so use family and friends and harass anyone you meet who has gone before you, legally or not, for contact names and numbers for employers. "Think carefully about where you want you go, and sort it out with your friends beforehand. There is no point in getting somewhere and falling out over moving somewhere else," warns one of last year's participants (who did just that).
Usit is keen that students branch out as much as possible. "While the east-coast resort areas attract Irish students in droves each summer, you will be staring at all those same faces for the rest of the year, so why not find your own little niche," Masterson suggests.
"You are far more likely to have an enriching experience in a resort or town where you are maybe the only Irish person there," she enthuses. Even if the thought of leaving the security of your mates behind is too much - and you will be unable to avoid interacting with Americans anyway - you may find that accommodation shared with a local, especially in a big city, is a good option and takes you away from the little Rathmines/Plassy Village scenario.
WHEN ARRANGING JOBS from Ireland, it is a good idea to try and get one with accommodation included - especially if you are intent on going to the east coast areas where you are in competition with tourists.
When it comes to the end of your time working that needn't mark the end of your time in the States. "Our main message is that even if you work for the full four months, you can still stay as a tourist until mid-November," says Masterson.
There are many ways to see the US. Both Greyhound and Amtrak offer special passes and airfares are quite cheap also. If there are enough of you, buying a second-hand car on one coast and selling it on another is also an option. Although you are hopefully going out to make money, it is vital that you bring a good amount of it with you to tide you over until that first hard-earned pay cheque. Four hundred dollars is the bare minimum demanded by the programme and that's if you have a job to go to.
If you don't, the minimum is $800 but in an expensive city you might easily gallop through that while looking for your dream job. If you are going to a city, costs are higher than if you are going to resort.
One final word of warning: you will be in the land of the outlet mall, record shop and stores you have only dreamt of. It's an exaggeration to say that you need only bring a bin-liner and swim suit, but do pack light and allow space and money for all the must-have items you will be bringing back.
Usit NOW is running a scheme whereby anyone who registers for the J1 programme with them and sets up employment before going can enter a draw. Six winners will have the cost of the programme refunded.
