For Shane Kilmartin, living every moment of his J-1 visa to the fullest was a non-negotiable. As a third-year mechanical engineering student at Queen’s University Belfast, the Rian J-1 Graduate Visa program allowed a unique opportunity for Shane to gain invaluable international work experience while still pursuing his degree. When asked why he wanted to participate in the visa program, he said, “Completing the placement in Boston offered a better opportunity than in Ireland.”

He noted especially that “Boston is a great city for young professionals.” He had heard about the program from one of Rian's former participants and has no regrets in pursuing the visa. He said he has “loved Boston ever since arriving”. 

As a university placement student, Shane’s application process included his job search. He noted the search felt more urgent because he needed to have his placement confirmed before starting the visa. He felt especially supported by Rian through his job search, stating “Rian helped with my CV, converting into a US style” and that “Rian helped me to get everything organized.”

Overall, the skills he learned through securing his job placement changed how he viewed the job search process entirely. Shane emphasized “I learned to build connections and a network, which is a lifelong skill…I don’t think I’ll ever apply to a job the same way again.”

After arriving in Boston, he said, his experience was immediately very different from living in Ireland. “You’re on your own with no set schedule, you have to sort out your housing, bank accounts etc.” Shane said the strong Irish community in Boston made all the difference with his transition. “Everyone was so helpful.” He used the Boston Irish Facebook group to find a great apartment located in the Savin Hill neighborhood in Dorchester, where, Shane says, Greenhills Bakery is a must try for Boston locals. 

He also connected with the Irish community in Boston by playing Gaelic Football in Canton. He felt instantly comfortable in Boston and noted that the transition was easy. He said, “if you walk into any place in Boston with an Irish accent, everyone loves you, I felt welcome right away." 

Shane kept very busy while in Boston. He said, “Every night I’d be up to something new.” He took advantage of the strong educational opportunities by attending Harvard University and MIT lectures, helping him to network in the startup community. He played Gaelic football during the summer months, attended the Boston Marathon, and even ran a half marathon in November from Franklin Park to Fenway.

Additionally, he spent his time giving back to the Boston community by volunteering with the Pine Street Inn and walking in the Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade with the Charitable Irish Society.

Interning with Feldman Geospatial in the engineering field offered Shane the perfect opportunity to develop professionally and expand upon his education. “I completed a lot of site work, which I found very interesting,” he said. Indeed, he visited many different sites not only in Boston, but also all around New England and even other parts of the country. 

“I saw a lot of places I would never have expected to,” he said. Some of his favorite work sites include Boston Logan Airport, the Harvard Greenway, and the Holocaust Memorial. He was also sent on weeklong trips to Indiana and Tallahassee, giving him an even broader immersive American experience. 

Shane's travels were not limited to work. He made the most of his time in the US by visiting 22 states and counting. He said, “All of the cities were amazing. I played for the Houston Gaelic football team for a tournament in Dallas. I went to Nashville to meet Irish students studying in the US. I hiked Mount Washington in February, with -40 windchills. I even stayed with an Amish family for a weekend in Ohio.” 

With the remainder of his time on the J1 visa, Shane is planning a West Coast Road trip. He will be renting a car and making a cross-country journey to California, picking up friends along the way. His goal is to make the most of his remaining time and the new lifelong friendships he’s made. 

When reflecting on his visa experience, Shane said that the best part of the J1 visa was “the community, everywhere you go, you end up knowing someone and making connections...back home you don’t really meet people outside your county, but in Boston I’ve met people from all over Ireland.”

He says the visa allowed him to grow as a person, “It has given me a really good sense of independence, I have been exposed to challenges I wouldn't have faced in Ireland.”

Careerwise, Shane mentioned the visa “expands where you think you can work and what you think you can do.” When asked what advice he would give to future J1s, he replied to “get yourself out there. It's a great opportunity personally and professionally and you go back to Ireland with a different skillset that carries across all aspects of life.”

 Rian is so glad Shane had such an incredible experience on the visa, and we wish him the best of luck finishing his degree back in Ireland!