From Ulster to Texas: Claire Fuller’s J-1 Journey in the Lone Star State
Claire Fuller knew exactly what she wanted when she applied for the J-1 Graduate Visa: a chance to truly understand how to apply the knowledge she had gained from her accounting degree from Ulster University. “When it came to actual accounting, I had no clue how to apply my skills to real life,” she shared. With a background in retail and hospitality, Claire was often trusted with the till and anything involving numbers because of her degree. Still, she was eager to experience what it meant to work in a formal accounting role. “I actually didn’t have any personal goals, it was all professional going over,” Claire acknowledged. “I wanted to do my internship to broaden my professional horizons.”
While many J-1 participants pursue a mix of personal and professional growth, Claire was focused entirely on her career. She initially considered New York for her homebase but quickly realized it was not the right fit. “Whenever I was first applying, New York was on my mind. Obviously it’s very expensive to live there and it’s so hard to get jobs in general. I didn’t feel like I wanted to grind and grind. I wanted to go somewhere that had more options for me.”
That somewhere turned out to be Dallas. Claire admits she did not know much about the city at first, but knew it would have many finance opportunities. Even before going over, she looked on Indeed and saw there were so many internships available. “The cowboys always drew me too,” she laughed. Over time, Dallas proved to be “a great place to live”.
Claire began her internship at a manufacturing company, working under an accountant and supporting accounts receivable tasks. But things moved quickly. “My job progressed at lightning speed”. After just five months, the accountant she worked under left, and Claire stepped into the role herself. “That’s kind of a thing with America as well, everything moves so fast”. The transition was a bit intimidating. “Whenever I first got into the role, it was petrifying.” But she grew into the position and came to appreciate the opportunity to take on more responsibility.
Her perception of corporate America shifted along the way. “I always had this mindset that corporate America was going to be really cutthroat,” she said. But she was surprised by how helpful and encouraging her colleagues were. “People just genuinely want to see you do good”. One moment that stood out was her first town hall meeting, where her company gathered to ask questions and share their thoughts. “I thought it was a crazy concept, I loved that”.
Outside of work, Claire took full advantage of her time in the U.S. “Every evening if you wanted to do something, there is something to do”. From GAA to going for walks or runs, attending sports games, and exploring the local area, she noticed how different everyday life in America felt. “Day-to-day life in America is so much different than home.” Exploring Texas became one of her favorite pastimes. “We went everywhere in Texas,” she said, naming trips to Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. “My favorite place in Texas is Buc-ee’s”, she laughs.
Looking back, Claire emphasizes the importance of preparation especially for J-1s who are planning to live in more car-dependent places such as Texas. Expenses such as rent, a car, and furniture can add up quickly, so having a plan in place before arrival makes a big difference.
When asked about her most memorable experiences, Claire found it hard to choose just one. “I genuinely have so many things throughout the year,” she said. “The main thing would be the friendships I’ve made”.
Still, a few adventures stood out. “One of my highlights was going to the Katie Taylor fight at AT&T Stadium”, she said, describing how cool it was to watch an Irish legend compete in Texas. “Me and three friends also climbed the American Airlines building, which is 79 flights of stairs!” They did it as part of an event, and though exhausting, it remains a memorable experience. Looking back on it all, she smiled. “The weather, the people, it’s the best thing ever”.