BEFORE MOVING TO NEW JERSEY AS AN ARCHITECT J1 VISA
Hi there,
I can hardly believe that I’m actually writing this post at the moment. As I’m starting to process what I’m about to experience, everything still feels somewhat surreal.
As a junior architect with a strong interest in BIM, I’ve always desired to live abroad for a period of time in order to immerse myself in other cultures and step out of my comfort zone. Though I wasn’t able to go on my Erasmus year, I remained determined to gain working experience abroad.
My passion for BIM methodology led me to realize that pursuing opportunities in countries with more advanced BIM practices would be an invaluable experience for me as a future professional. During my first job as an intern, I was fortunate to work with an architect who shared my interest in BIM. It was here that I first gained an understanding of the benefits and possibilities of professional BIM work, and the incredible results it can achieve.
As a freelance architect working on small projects, I continued to utilize Revit as a tool to optimize my work and increase earnings. However, my biggest work experience to date was as a principal BIM modeler and architect collaborator in the development of a basic and execution project. Throughout all of these experiences, I have always endeavored to extract the maximum value and learning opportunities.
I was determined,
Throughout this period, I remained singularly focused on my goal of securing an opportunity to work abroad. Initially, I had set my sights on the United Kingdom, as I met all of the necessary visa requirements and had learned that there was a high demand for architectural professionals in the country. I devoted considerable time to refining my portfolio, conducting research, reaching out to architectural firms, and hunting job postings. Despite my best efforts, I was disappointed to receive only two responses after four long months of trying.
At this point, I began to feel discouraged, and my hopes of working abroad began to wane. However, I suddenly remembered a friend who had mentioned a company that offered working exchange opportunities in the US when I was studying for my architectural degree. Intrigued, I researched the company «Architect US» and reached out to them. I also spoke with some friends of friends who had undergone the same experience, read several testimonials, and ask for their advice.
Remarkably, everyone I spoke with had nothing but positive things to say about their experiences with Architect-US, describing them as living the dream. Encouraged by these rave reviews, I decided to take a chance and apply as a contestant, submitting the same CV and portfolio I had been sending to firms in the UK. To my delight, I was accepted within a week of applying, and everything began to fall into place.
My opportunity,
After being accepted by Architect-US, I was delighted to discover that their services were incredibly comprehensive. They would regularly send me offers from various companies, allowing me to research each one and responded according to my desires. In addition, they provided me with updates on the status of my applications, informing me whether the company was still considering me, had dropped me from the process, or put the process on standby. This was a stark contrast to my previous experiences, where I was left in the dark regarding the status of my applications.
Moreover, Sonia, my point of contact at Architect-US, was incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. She promptly reached out to me whenever a company expressed interest in interviewing me, ensuring that I was fully prepared for each interview. In less than two months after being accepted into Architect-US, I had already completed two interviews and had received offers from both companies.
Currently, my visa has just been approved, and I am finishing my travel preparations. It is only now that I am starting to believe that I will be leaving for the US in less than a week.
I want to take a moment to encourage anyone who may be in the same position I was just a few months ago. If you are struggling to achieve your dream of working abroad, know that with the guidance of professionals like the ones at Architect-US, a little patience, and dedication, you can make it happen.
