It depends on wether or not you have the "2 Year" requirement on your DS-129.
You can change to a B2, or even an H2B if tour employer is willing.
The best thing to do is to go the Embassy where you apply your Visa and ask them what is the best thing to do.
Yes, you may apply for J1 visa extension, which may be granted as long as it is necessary to complete the program.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.