I'm a US based FO also interested in an EASA conversion. (I'm one of the unlucky ones - my airline has been completely dissolved at the whim of it's mainline parent). On the bright side I successfully made it to France to reunite with my girlfriend - so at least that step is out of of the way!
Hard to find consistent information on this topic. Just like any other project, its a process. Unfortunately lots of conflicting information from service providers - I want to start separatIng required steps from "optional steps" to chart the most direct path forward. Self study is definitely preferred.