BUNAC - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Kaffeine · 05-09-2005, 08:11 AM

I have a chance to do BUNAC in December 2005...have to start then I graduate in Aug. Anyway I was wondering what experience anyone had with it...I thought it would be a good way to finance my trip to Europe. I was thinking England or Ireland. I read the other topics in this forum, but I would like to have info from the people who went or decided not to go? Is it worth my $275 USD or should I try for a work visa or work under the table?? Any suggestions would be most welcome!

southbeachbabe · 05-09-2005, 10:27 PM

Not entirely the same situation, because my friend went to America, not UK...but he went with BUNAC. He had a great time but said that they didn't really give much help or support while he was there with work and all that. The organising a visa stuff was pretty much the only benefit he said.

**Somnambulation** · 05-12-2005, 06:13 AM

Bunac is the only real way for us Americans to get work visas for the UK. Its not hard to find under the table work, if you dont mind doing certain kinds of jobs. My job doing paintball promotions requires no visa and its not a bad job. But Bunac is definitely worth the cost, if only for the bank account they set up for you.

**bellelass** · 05-12-2005, 09:44 AM

I am here with BUNAC. Most under the table jobs arent something you want, just get the visa. Living in London is.. difficult. I would say get out of london, work elsewhere in the UK. I really really really wish I had done that when I first got here. Edinburgh still has the feel of a cosmopolitan city about it, but its not the overgrown beast that the Capital is. I also really liked Glastonbury, bit of a smaller city really, but it has fascinating ancient lore and its just really chill. Several friends of mine work out in the countryside in 14th century pubs and love it. DONT STAY IN LONDON.

foofiter · 05-21-2005, 09:09 AM

Has anyone had experience with the New Zealand BUNAC? As an American I can get a one year work visa thru them. I am also curious as to what kind of jobs I can get over there with that visa. Anyone have experience with this at all? I am looking for any and all info on this.

Thanks!

foofiter

**bellelass** · 05-22-2005, 08:20 PM

Yeah me too. I figure I like kiwis, they're really cool laid back people, and they have a beautiful country.... Where can you go wrong? The money isnt worth a whole lot, but Im not in it for the money anyway...

Kaffeine · 05-27-2005, 06:58 PM

Hey thanks guys. It looks like BUNAC is a definite plus for Americans.

Solo_Traveller · 06-04-2005, 02:13 PM

you should never work under the table unless you are prepared to be banned from a country

travoholic · 06-06-2005, 03:10 PM

People from Commonwealth nations can go through programs similar to BUNAC (like SWAP in Canada...) but they've also got he option to contact their embassy directly, cut out a middle man and save a lot of money.

Being American, you don't have much choice in the matter - if you want to work legally in the UK or Ireland then you'll need to go through BUNAC. Same goes for NZ.

Working under the table drastically limits what you can work as and you'll be getting paid peanuts. There are lots of great jobs to be had in the UK so look at it as not only a way to sustain yourself while you're there, but maybe to get some good work experience as well.

I'm going to disagree with bellelass and say to give London a shot. It's not for everyone, I'll say that, but if it's your kind of city then you'll have an amazing time. It's one of the greatest cities in the world so a chance to live and work there is a hard one to pass up without at least trying it out first!

I just got back from NZ and met lots of Americans there with BUNAC. It's one of the few places you can actually go for a year so take advantage of it! New Zealand is a great place, especially if this is your first time travelling or working abroad. Has probably the best setup in the world for backpackers.

Enjoy!
Kirsty

http://www.travoholic.com

roymakaay · 07-01-2005, 03:57 AM

Im from the UK, and am looking to go with BUNAC to canada for the start of the summer season next year to hopefully work at a resort (banff, whistler etc). Is BUNAC the only way to get a visa, or is there a cheaper way? looked on internet, but its all too much!!!

has any1 gone to canada with BUNAC or any other company, and what do they do for the money?

**bellelass** · 07-01-2005, 01:33 PM

My scottish mate, Andy, did it when he was in college. UK to Canada I mean. For him, it was more than worth it and thinks its just a wonderful program. He worked in hotels and bars I believe and then had a hell of a time gallavanting across eastern canada without once bothering to cross the border...

xanthuos · 07-01-2005, 02:36 PM

I could be wrong, seeing as how I'm not a Canadian citizen and haven't bothered doing much research...
But UK to Canada would probably be covered by SWAP, rather than BUNAC. Since you're a Commonwealth citizen, you have options for getting a working holiday visa, etc.

**TERI** · 07-07-2005, 07:39 AM

I've being thinking about the swap new zealand and austrailia one year thing. Has anyone done this one? or similar?