BUNAC: For All You College Students

Looking for a way to subsidize your travels by working along the way? BUNAC just may be your answer!  BUNAC--which stands for British Universities North America Club--is a non-profit, non-political organization founded in 1962 that helps full-time college students get working visas abroad.  They offer programs in a variety of countries as well as some volunteer options.  If you get a visa through BUNAC, you have a community of sorts once you get to your exotic new home, and the local offices most always provide internet access, group get-togethers, housing information, as well as job board postings.  Every program application has a fee, which may make it more pricey than getting a work visa through the country's government, but the BUNAC community provides a sense of security and peace of mind for those a bit weary of picking up, moving across an ocean, and trying to find a job.  While BUNAC is mainly designed to provide American students with job opportunities abroad, there are also options for students from the UK and Ireland.  Here is an extremely simple break down of the programs and their major requirements.  Check out their website for comprehensive details.

Work in Britain, Ireland, Canada, France:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Currently enrolled as a full-time student
• Have a valid US Passport
• Visas tend to be for 6 months
• Application fees start at $290

Work in Australia or New Zealand

• Must be 18-30 for Australia; New Zealand up to 35
• Enrolled in University or have a degree
• $495 program fee plus mandatory health insurance
• Visas from 4 months up to 1 year

Volunteer in Peru, Cambodia, South Africa

• Programs range from 6-17 weeks
• Cost ranges from $1345-$1750
• Additional spending money required

Hello There!

I want to see the world.  All of it.  This is a lofty goal, I realize, one only complicated by the ever-growing burden of my status as an unemployed college graduate.  Still, despite the worsening economy and because of the virtually non-existent job market, I am convinced that there is no time like the present to pack a bag and go on an adventure.  So that is my plan.  I have lived such a sheltered life--I cannot wait to burst that bubble and explore places near and far!  I am just beginning to research awesomely cool places to go to, as well as affordable means of getting to these said places, which is proving to be quite an eye-opening and never-ending process.  This whole life post-graduation thing proves very bizarre because on the one hand it is terrifying that I have nothing specific to do any more--no tests, no papers, no summer vacations--but on the other hand I can do whatever I want.  Anything and everything is possible.  My life is at a crossroads, and I am sitting in my car, in neutral, just waiting to switch gears and get going on the wonderfully and exhilaratingly open road in front of me.  At the moment, my sights are set on Australia or New Zealand--after all, what better place to begin an in-depth global journey than on the other side of the world?!