Hey, I was student holding a J1 visa to NY last summer for work and travel program. Now it's the tax refund season, and I'm filing 1040NR-EZ. My question is what is my itemized deduction? Can I use the standard deduction of $5800 since I am a student? Or I can only put state taxes paid?

ONLY state income taxes withheld.

Are you a student, or did you hold a job in previous years in your home country?

Yeah. I am a student in college back home. Just holding J1 in the US for work and travel program. So am I eligible to as a student to claim standard deduction?

If you are a student, then you CANNOT claim the standard deduction and can claim ONLY the state income taxes withheld from your salary.