Apply to J1 BridgeUSA Summer Camp Exchange Program

GET STARTED

Application Steps 

  • Register your application with the form below.

  • We will review your application submission. If you meet the eligibility criteria, we’ll send you a payment link for your initial €99 deposit. 

  • Once you’ve paid your deposit, you’ll receive an email inviting you to start your application in our ‘Beacon’ system. Please see our ‘how to’ guide for the steps you need to complete in your Beacon Application. 

  • We will set up a short phone interview as required by the US Department of State. The interview consists of a few questions to get a sense of what you hope to gain from your summer in the US. 

Apply Today

Join the J1 BridgeUSA Summer Camp Exchange Program and transform your summer into an unforgettable adventure!

Now it’s time to secure your place at Camp 

  • You will be given access to CIEE Connect where you can review and select camp positions you wish to apply for. Camps will also be able to see your information and may send you a request to interview. 

  • You’ll then be interviewed for your selected Camp. If you’re hired, your application moves to the next stage. If for some reason you are not successful in securing the camp placement, you can go back to the portal and select another option and we’ll go through the steps again to help you secure the next position. 

Once You Are ‘Hired’

We will send you a payment link to pay the Balance of your J1 booking. 

Upon payment of your balance, we will issue your DS-2019 form which is your Legal Work Authorisation Document. You can download it from your Beacon account as soon as it is issued. 

You will then need to book your mandatory interview with the US Embassy in Dublin, or if you’re studying in Northern Ireland, the US Consulate in Belfast. Don’t worry, we’ll provide you with a guide explaining how to do this! Please note, your passport will be held at the US Embassy or Consulate for up to 10 business days. 

Once your visa has been approved by the US Embassy, they will return your passport to you via DPD courier service. You can either collect it as the DPD location you choose when making your interview appointment, or you can select to have it delivered to your door! 

Your CIEE J1 Orientation will be emailed to you and it is a requirement that you complete this. It’s to ensure you’re fully prepared for your J1 Summer in the US and is mandatory. Don’t worry, it only takes approximately 20-30 minutes.

Then it’s time to Travel