ok, question for those who travel...and stay away for a period of time

[AlphaGamDiva]

alrighty.....i am SO wanting to travel. one place that i can honestly say i have *ALWAYS* wanted to go for some unknown reason other than i am just fascinated with the place is England. don't ask, just go with it. i know there are some GCers who are currently over there, have been....this thread's for YOU!

my sister informed me that one of her friends obtained a work visa or something and she just went over there for 3 months, found her own job as a secretary and stayed in a youth hostel the whole time.

my question: how does one go about this? anyone know? also, where do you recommend i go in england?? london....or someplace else?

entertain my idea of how fabulous this is, basically, with some useful info on how to go about it. thanks!

[PhiPsiRuss]

I'd go to New England. Its newer than dusty Old England.

[cuaphi]

Originally posted by AlphaGamDiva
alrighty.....i am SO wanting to travel. one place that i can honestly say i have *ALWAYS* wanted to go for some unknown reason other than i am just fascinated with the place is England. don't ask, just go with it. i know there are some GCers who are currently over there, have been....this thread's for YOU!

my sister informed me that one of her friends obtained a work visa or something and she just went over there for 3 months, found her own job as a secretary and stayed in a youth hostel the whole time.

my question: how does one go about this? anyone know? also, where do you recommend i go in england?? london....or someplace else?

entertain my idea of how fabulous this is, basically, with some useful info on how to go about it. thanks!

I did that. What you do is find your local Council Travel office and ask them about it. I had to fill out a bunch of forms, apply for the visa (it's 3 months for England or Ireland or different countries if you can fill a language requirement) and pay them something like $250 for the processing. Then you have to get a passport and a plane ticket of course. I was in Ireland several years ago in what they were calling the 'tiger' economy and service jobs were really easy to come by. They also didn't seem to mind if you overstayed your visa. Once you're over there the corresponding office is called USIT and they'll help you out any time you need to make travel arrangements or change your plane ticket.

Also, don't worry too much about going alone. Youth hostel people are usually the most open, friendly people ever. Basically it goes "You're a young traveler, I'm a young traveller. We're friends now." Not really, but almost.

Any more questions, feel free to ask.

[cuaphi]

I just double checked and they're called STA Travel now. Here's the website you need:

http://www.statravel.com/statravel/c...?menuID=9001S3

[AlphaGamDiva]

see my problem is....i am no longer a student.....i was under the impression that there was something out there for non-students or grads or whatever to be able to "expand their horizons"....maybe i am wrong. i went to the website, though, cuaphi, and it sounds perfect.....for a student. BOO HOO! anything else out there........do i just need to go to a travel agent and go through whoever to get a work visa????



thanks for the info!!!

ETA: i saw on the BUNAC site that "participants" (not "students")can go to australia or new zealand....why not the same love for "participants" in england? harumph <pout>

[navane]

Sorry, I do not know of any programs whereby you can obtain a British work visa unless you are a student. I do believe that there is a 3 month grace period for BUNAC; so, if you graduated from university within 3 months (say, a winter graduation), then you may still qualify.


Otherwise, you're going to have a really hard time getting a job in the UK. My understanding is that the "easiest" way to do so is if a British company hires you and sponsors your work visa. However,

a) you have to convince the company to hire you and not a British citizen or European Union (EU) citizen.

b) the company has to convince the British immigration folks that they just had to hire you and not a British or EU citizen.

c) you must be in the USA at the time the work visa is issued.

That won't be easy unless you're a special kind of engineer, researcher or something like that. If you just want to be a secretary, then it's kinda hard to convince people that American secretaries are just soooo better than British ones.


Here are three things which may help you:

1) Check out the British Home Office website for information on immigration policies and procedures. www.homeoffice.gov.uk

2) You may be able to obtain a job through one of the British companies which aim to specifically hire young, college-age people. There is one website I know which advertises all kinds of odd jobs, including LOADS of positions for summer camp counsellors, life guards and activities teachers for kids. It never hurts to look. http://www.hotrecruit.co.uk/

3) Finally, there have been loads of threads on GC where people have asked about work visas, study abroad, and travel to the United Kingodm. You may want to try a search for "England", "London", "Britain" and so on.


Good luck!


.....Kelly

[Lady Pi Phi]

I'm not sure if this would apply to you, it might only apply to citizens of commonwealth countries, but if you are born to a british subject you might be able to apply for right of abode.

This gives you the right to live and work in the U.K.

My mother is English (was born and raised in England) and since she screwed me over for citizenship (long story) I am going to apply for this.

However, this only applies to people born to a British citizen.

The best place for information is check out the government website. They should have all the information you're looking for there.

[XOMichelle]

Um, maybe you can go back to school and enroll in a overseas program?

Perhaps you could look into being a nanny or something for a family who lives there. When I went on vacation the hotel I stayed at was staffed by Australians, so they had visas of some sort.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Here's a webpage you might find useful. It's all about work permits.

Home Office

ETA: I found another page you might find useful

Britain-USA

[Peaches-n-Cream]

You should consider applying to grad school in England. My friend went to the London School of Economics and wound up staying there.

[AlethiaSi]

lol i'm in london right now study abroad and going to school... now as far as working visas go- what everyone has already said is pretty much right- your best bet is to go to school here- (grad school or enroll in another bachelors program- but doesn't seem you want to do that) or you can try to do a nanny program over here.... i know that they always need au pairs and stuff like that... do some searches online- i'm sorry but i don't know too much about this area... Bunac can help you for 3 months.... and its widely accepted... hmm i'll see if i can dig up some information about living over here.... i'm also working over here (PM if you want details- its kinda on the DL) i'll see what i can find- keep looking for information and i'll ask decadence too- he's been a great help to me over here good luck and i'll be in touch- p.s. england is pretty different- have you ever been here before? i have LOTS of tips and advice too! anywya- keep your hopes up- i'm sure something can be worked out...

[KerriMarie]

I just have to say that I love London, it's my favorite city ever. EVER.

[navane]

Originally posted by Peaches-n-Cream
You should consider applying to grad school in England. My friend went to the London School of Economics and wound up staying there.

I second that! I'm a postgraduate student at the University of Bristol (Bristol, England!!).


Though, unless you're a European Union citizen, the cost of university studies in the UK is VERY expensive. Also, let's not forget that living costs in the UK are very high. EVEN SO, I do not regret at all my decision to pursue my Master's degree in the UK. Plus, students (EU or not) are eligible to work up to 20 hours a week while staying in the UK on a student visa. So, you can work off some of your expenses while living there.


AlphaGamDiva, definitely PM me if you need any advice about study or work abroad in the UK. I both studied there and had a BUNAC work visa. Plus, my boyfriend (who is an Englishman) is currently in England. If I don't know, I'm sure he can provide some insight!


.....Kelly

[Xylochick216]

I found STA to be one of the more expensive ways to travel anywhere in the world. I did everything in Australia and New Zealand through YHA. You can get amazing discounts for a lot of things with that card.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by navane
I second that! I'm a postgraduate student at the University of Bristol (Bristol, England!!).

Slight Hijack...


I was thinking of applying to the law program at Bristol! I'm still thinking about it but I need to save much bucks first!


/end hijack