Has anyone participated in work abroad through this program, specifically in Britain and/ or Ireland?? How difficult is it to actually find a job, and how necessary is it to have their help?

I did a lot of research about BUNAC last year as I was looking to get one of their working visas for England. What it looks like is that they have some job connections for you, but most of them are working in bars and hotels, which is why I ended up not participating in it. I don't think it would be too difficult to find this type of work once you get the visa, but I am not sure about the pay for these types of jobs.

i did BUANC this summer and there are pros and cons of the program. they do not organize work for you, you do that totally on your own. They have resources and companies call them to put up jobs, but the problem is for 10 new jobs a day 100 people see it in the BUNAC office and by the time you call, it's gone. I do think, fo the most part, especially if you're a Canadian or member of the commonwealth you could get a work visa and go on you own.
They do set up a UK bank account for you which is good because it's next to impossible to set one up yourself and you need it to get paid.
The one thing BUNAC was great for was meeting poeple. I spoke to people beforehand from the message boards and met up with a few, some of who turned out to be best friends. I met great people through BUNAC, and unfortunately all my friends were Americans and Canadians, it would have been nice to meet more british people, but it was fun because we all explored together and I met some of the best people I've met in my life there.

Faith2, does BUNAC get you a work visa? What does BUNAC get out of the deal. I am very curious how it all works!


PS - the website

I did this April 2004. It was pretty good, they have a lot of ressources and can sort of calm you down from the shock of being way the hell on the otherside of the world by yourself! They DO get you a work visa. If you are planning on working in London it is ideal, because most of their resources are London based, which is, of course, where their office is located. Other cities it is a little bit trickier but definately doable. I worked in Oxford. They get you sorted out with getting a bank account and a social insurance number and everything else you'd need and the staff in the office are really helpful in answering questions. They also organize social events so that you can meet other people in the program. It is a worthwhile thing to do if you want to get outta your home country and work abroad.

That sounds pretty cool! Does it cost anything How long is the work visa valid for? A friend of mine went through a program cal SWAP...is that related to BUNAC?

I am definately doing it this spring, I am so excited! Thanks for the tips!

As a side note, do you think it would be hard to get work in london right after christmas? I know here its kind of hard to get a retail/whatever type of job, as its coming off the low season... But london is always busy and in need of people to work right? I dont really care what kind of work I do, as long as it doesnt involve poles or men paying me money....

Damn! I might have been able to get you a good job installing fences...oh well. :mellow:

SWAP is exactly the same as BUNAC, it's just the Canadian name. I don't know why they do that, because as soon as I got to London everyone calls it BUNAC and you will too if you go. Well I guess one benefit of SWAP for Canadians is their message boards, I met a bunch of Canadians through that and the Americans didn't have that.
I think in London if you're willing to do anything you should be fine getting a job in January. I was too damn picky and stupid and didnt find a full time position so I could stay longer, but they're out there.
It's a working holiday visa they get you. Canadians and other commonwealtehrs (Aussies, Kiwis) can stay 2 years and don't need to be full-time students. Americans can stay 6 months and do need to be full-time students.

I think it costed about $300 Canadian for BUNAC, I think if you get a visa on your own it's half the price, but you don't get BUNAC's services.

Ah, I don't know about being a full-time student...I was kind of hoping I was past that part of my life...we'll see. I am sure one of these days I'll find a way to live over there for awhile.

i read in my backpackers mag last night, if looking for work in england, consider cardiff, its oonlky a short trip by train, more likely to get work, cheaper to live and your closer to alot of interesting stuff.

Thats in Wales right?

yes cardiff is in wales, if you're interested in the UK Edinburgh in great too, I was there during the festival and it was amazing. I'm sure it's great at other times of the year too. Very different from London, much older and slightly creepy in a ghost story kind of way, but prob slightly cheaper, anything is cheaper than London!

Sounds cool to me, in a creepy sor of way :torch:

Has anyone done the BUNAC to Oz? It seems to be the only way an uexperienced American can get a visa