Working one year after graduation before applying to the US and LoRs?

Hey guys, US IMG here I would really value some of your guys’s opinions.

I study in Ireland and I’m currently in third year. I was planning on doing an elective and family medicine this summer. I was then planning on doing an elective or externship next summer, depending on if I can fit it before my graduation.

I’m planning on working here for what they call an intern year to give myself a basis in case if I ever plan to go back to Europe as a doctor as it streamline this process. I also have family here that I do not want to leave immediately.

During this time in intern year. I’m not sure if I would be able to do any externships or observerships in the US. Does this make it bad as the time that I’m going to apply for residency, my LOR will be two and one year-old (respectively) it’s just that I was talking to somebody who said that the maximum age of an LOR should be 18 months, but maybe that different situations may influence this.

The person I was talking to also mentioned that you should have AT LEAST 3 US LORs. Is that true, is 2 US and 1/2 foreign ok. Even further is 1 US and 2/3 foreign okay? I’m just curious because damn these are so expensive and I’m not made of money 😭

Some of you might think I’m thinking extremely ahead, but I’m just curious and trying to plan the best for my future.

I appreciate any responses 🙏