Dia dhaoibh! Is mise Vivienne.

Hi all, I’m Vivienne Sayers O’Callaghan, a proud Corkonian living in New York City since 2023.

I grew up in County Cork—the largest county in Ireland known affectionately as the “Rebel County” and the self-proclaimed “real capital” of Ireland! I also spent many years in County Kerry, home to Ireland’s highest mountain peak, and thriving Gaeltacht regions where Gaeilge (the Irish language) is spoken daily. Since my move to NYC, I’ve become a content creator and advocate for the Irish language, culture, and music, connecting with the Irish diaspora through my @Vivienne_in_NYC social media channels.

I grew up on a farm, where my parents set the tone for ambition and hard work from an early age. My mother, a PhD veterinary scientist, and my father, a business owner specialising in vehicle adaptations for the disability community, inspired my entrepreneurial spirit and showed me the importance of purpose-driven work. My love for Irish culture was then nurtured during my time at an all-Irish speaking boarding school in West Kerry. This later evolved into launching my own business, Prickly Plants Cork, a houseplant retail store and design consultancy. In 2022, I earned my Bachelor Degree in music, specialising in classical vocal performance and conducting. To complement my creative pursuits, I completed a diploma in project management, which secured me a role on the global marketing team at Moody’s Corporation at the World Trade Center NYC.

Why Cork to New York?

Deep down, I know that falling in love with the idea of living in New York City came from my vivacious inner theatre kid, inspired by the allure of Broadway! Watching Glee season four, seeing Kurt and Rachel living their Broadway dream…how could I not fall in love?! On a more serious note, it was during my first voice training lesson at university in Cork. I was 17, perched on a Steinway piano stool in front of my Juilliard-trained, Broadway-star vocal coach. He looked at me and said: “You need to be in America.” His words stuck with me, even if I didn’t fully understand them at the time. Five years later, I realized he was right. So I moved to Boston, and then to NYC!

I also recently uncovered my great-grandmother Margaret’s story. She left County Kerry for Manhattan almost exactly 100 years ago at the age of 21. Margaret worked on West 82nd St as a domestic servant during NYC’s roaring twenties, embodying the resilience of Irish immigrants in the early 1900s. A century later, at the same age, I find myself inspired by her courage as I navigate life in the concrete jungle.

The desire to live in NYC goes through many stages. Stage one is very much a rebellion - against the familiar, against your self doubt, against that person who said you couldn't. You arrive bright eyed and bushy tailed. For the first few years even every failure feels like an accomplishment! You are strong, experiencing nightlife and theatre and food from more countries than you knew existed, drinking cocktails so beautiful they are worth every one of the 20 dollars you were charged. New York City empowers you and makes you believe you are invincible.

But this fairytale dream begs realistic questions: How did I get to NYC? Where did I live, and how did I find a job?

The Mountbatten Program

I made the move through the Mountbatten Program, an international exchange program that offers young professionals the chance to live and work in NYC or London.

Program Highlights:

J-1 Visa Sponsorship: Visa documentation, guidance, and processing.

Accommodation: Rent-free, shared, fully furnished housing.

Host Organization Placement: Sourcing internships and managing placements.

Monthly Stipend: USD $1,275 (pre-tax).

Medical Insurance: J-1 Visa compliant.

Cultural Exchange: Access to cultural activities, volunteering, and networking.

Eligibility

Graduated with a degree from a post-secondary academic institution outside of the US with a minimum classification of 2.2 or equivalent. Applications from final-year degree students are accepted, provided the applicant is scheduled to graduate before the intended program start date for that intake.

Demonstrate a minimum of 12 months of full-time professional (office/business-based) work experience acquired outside of the United States (or a minimum of 6 months of full-time professional work experience if the program starts within a year of your graduation date).

Non-US citizen or Non-US resident and have not applied for U.S. residency.

Have not previously been denied a U.S. visa.

Duration

12 months long.

This is the length of the Exchange Visitor (J-1) visa, which is a temporary, non-immigrant educational and cultural exchange visa. The Mountbatten Program provides visa sponsorship in two J-1 categories: Trainee and Intern.

Cost

This fee tends to scare people. but if you do the math and consider the visa and related fees, accommodation, living expenses, job search & networking, the Mountbatten program ends up being more reasonable and less hassle than other options.

Total Program Fee: USD $6,800

Caveat Emptor! In order to live in NYC, there are considerations to be made. It may not be suitable for everyone, but if you are entrepreneurially minded and want to make it big (on a budget!), this might be the program for you.

Some things to consider:

Limited stipend (bring savings!).

Shared accommodation.