{"id":21654,"date":"2020-10-23T10:00:41","date_gmt":"2020-10-23T08:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architect-us.com\/blog\/?p=21654"},"modified":"2022-09-12T14:11:00","modified_gmt":"2022-09-12T12:11:00","slug":"my-j1-adventure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architect-us.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/my-j1-adventure\/","title":{"rendered":"MY J1 ADVENTURE"},"content":{"rendered":"

”A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n

It’s already been 18 months since my J1 experience with Architect-US<\/strong> started and I still have the same excitement whenever I explore a new place in The City. I can’t believe how fast time passes by when you have a really good time and you do what you really love. It feels like it was yesterday when I had first arrived, but at the same time I feel like I have lived here my whole life. In spite of living this experience in the middle of a pandemic<\/strong>, I can surely say that I took advantage of all the incredible things the city has to offer as well as the East Coast<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

My professional experience<\/strong><\/p>\n

Working at IAE<\/strong> has enabled me to learn a lot about affordable housing on different scales, a field of architecture that was considered essential during these times. At the beginning, everything is new and different<\/strong> from what we are used to back in Europe<\/strong>. One of the main differences is working with the US<\/strong> imperial system and applying the ft, inches and fractions to the building designs.\u00a0 On the other hand, the type of construction in New Jersey<\/strong> is also something new you have to learn when working on multifamily housing. In a year and a half, I went from drawing existing buildings in the state of NJ<\/strong> and NYC<\/strong> to developing multiple feasibility studies, layouts, and a couple of construction documents in both Revit<\/strong> and Autocad<\/strong>, as well as preparing presentations and renderings using Enscape<\/strong> and Photoshop<\/strong>. The whole working experience nourished me with a valuable knowledge and confidence when approaching any given project. Being able to design and participate in the whole process, and not just being a drafter, made me love and enjoy the work I was doing. Being rotated in the office and having had the chance to work with the partners was an absolute privilege! The atmosphere in the office is an incredible one<\/strong>, where people are willing to teach you and help you whenever you need it. Aside from my work at IAE, I have also had the following opportunities given by our office: going on an architectural boat tour around Manhattan; going on the annual architectural road trip;\u00a0attending an ice skating event;\u00a0celebrating Cinco de Mayo, Thanksgiving<\/strong>, End of the year and also End of Summer among other events I might have missed. All this\u00a0made my whole working experience exceed by far my expectations!<\/p>\n

My personal experience<\/strong><\/p>\n

Choosing to live in Hoboken, NJ has enabled me to take advantage of both worlds, New York City<\/strong> and New Jersey. The City absolutely fascinates me<\/strong>, reason why I would live every single moment as if there was no tomorrow. Before the pandemic happened, I was able to attend multiple musicals for a reasonable price. I went for the first time to the Metropolitan Opera<\/strong> at the Lincoln Center<\/strong>, as well as different events such as the final at the US Open between Nadal and Medvedev, a baseball and an american football game, a concert at the Madison Square Garden<\/strong>, a famous and well-known show, the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon<\/strong>, many museums and architectural gems. Having had the need to get a car in order to make my life easier while living and working in New Jersey, has given me the chance to get a deep insight of the East Coast. As the Covid-19<\/strong> pandemic forced the lockdown of many public spaces, I was able to explore more outdoor places, such as the Catskills Mountains, Pocono Mountains and the Bushkill Falls, and most of the Jersey Shore and New York Hamptons<\/strong>.\u00a0Before my visa came to an end, I went on a road trip to Pittsburgh<\/strong>, PA to visit the Fallingwater, the Polymath Park and Kentuck Knob, all of them by Frank Lloyd Wright<\/strong>. The Fallingwater is an absolutely must for any architect while living and working in NYC\/NJ, and it surely is an absolutely impressive masterpiece!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last but not least, I will take a moment to thank Architect-US<\/strong> for giving me such an opportunity to live the american dream in The City that never sleeps! Basically,\u00a0Architect-US opened a new door for a professional career in the US that changed my life!<\/strong> Now, I have obtained the Waiver for the two year rule on my J1 visa after more than 6 months and I am in the process of obtaining the green card. All of these, would have not been possible without the initial help and support of Architect-US<\/strong>! They give you an incredible opportunity to work and live in the US. Then, it’s up to you to make the most out of this experience! I would recommend Architect-US without a doubt and I cannot thank them well-enough for such an experience! I am looking forward with excitement for the next chapter in my life!<\/p>\n

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