Traveling And Working Abroad Thread

[arw_86]

hello everyone.

basically ive started 2010 wanting to make sure this year is one to remember, ive been feeling like im in a bit of a boring repetative life and want some experiences and excitement to see if it makes me any clearer on what path id like to take my life. Ive recently qualified as a heating engineer and have my own sole trader business but before i get too deep into it and earn enough money to move out i really want to see what else is out there. If i dont, i know ill regret it!.

im not thinking this will make me find what i want in life, or make me realise what i want to do as a career but i know its something i have to do.

Ive created this thread for people who have been traveling/working abroad and for those who are in my position, wanting to do something to remember or even possibly change their life.

so yeah, please post away with your experiences, where you went, what you did, if you worked, visas needed, high points, low points, helpful websites/companies, advice, if you recommend it etc.

i personally would like to go either australia, new zealand or usa. id go to europe but i think i would feel to isolated on the language barrier? Also working in various jobs is something i would like to do to. Oh, and randomly, working on a ski resort appeals, even though the cold gets on my nerves and ive never done winter sports, but i do specialise in fires and fireplaces which im guessing they have alot of?

thanks in advance,

Adam

Edited January 3, 2010 by arw_86

[arw_86]

for now id just be looking into more of a 3month to a year visa. so i can work and be in a place long enough to see if i love it. then if i do try my hardest to make it permenant. But ive always got home to come back to. I just know i have to do something that makes my world more than just here, something that will make me grow up and make me take responsibility at the same time as possibly finding a place/job/career that i can love

cheesy as that sounds

[ilikeriding]

I'm off to kenya or india in march with platform2, to teach english maths and science for 2 months

There are loads of similar companies, I've got a load of mates working at the blind college near me from all over the world and trust they are living it up lol

go for it dude

[arw_86]

I'm off to kenya or india in march with platform2, to teach english maths and science for 2 months

There are loads of similar companies, I've got a load of mates working at the blind college near me from all over the world and trust they are living it up lol

go for it dude

awesome! so platform 2 is the company? ive thought about doing voluntary work before but its really expensive just to apply. Also ive always wondered how do you teach english if you dont know their language?

cheers

[JT!]

With regards to the USA you'd have to apply for a work visa which you literally have to pay out your ass for and would need your employer to sponsor you, also it'd probably 2011 before you get told it was rejected.

[ilikeriding]

awesome! so platform 2 is the company? ive thought about doing voluntary work before but its really expensive just to apply. Also ive always wondered how do you teach english if you dont know their language?

cheers

yeah it is ,f**k knows haha I guess ill pick it up somehow, its only gonna be basic stuff with younger kids.. its all totally free only thing i have to pay for was my mate to drive me to the interview and the trip to the airport, platform2 specifically is for 18-25 year olds that cant afford the alternative volunteer thingys, it may sound like a free holiday but I've got a couple of mates who've already done it and theressome pretty bad stuff but alot of goodness too, overall i can't wait!

but if you want a piss easy time with awesome people look into volunteer work in an english speaking fairly well off country

Edited January 3, 2010 by ilikeriding

[Willy]

Been living and working in Canada now for 9 months, and am going to be staying for the full year. Awesome place to visit, amazingly helpful, friendly people and as a nation there pretty dam casual about everything, its awesome. Pretty easy to get into for a year, go to a company called Bunac, who you have to go through as the Canadian High Commision dont deal with us on there own, and you pay them to set you up with a visa. All super easy as long as you dont have anything on your record and dont feck around during the Visa application. Costs a fair bit compared to other countries though.

Whoever made the comment about Oz, its bollocks, you can go for 2 years and keep renewing the Visa until the age of 31, at which point you either apply for a perm resident visa (helps alot if you have a sponsor) or you go home. I'll find the links if I have too, but just Google smartly and follow the links for the Aussie home office about working holiday visas. It costs alot less than going to Canada aswell.

For picking which country to go too, I'd do alot of homework first and decide upon what you reckon suits you the best, and what your wanting to do/work as. I chose Canada due to being a crazy keen skiier and generally looking for a more relaxed way of life, that didnt involve sitting on a beach all day. If your looking for the beach, sun, girls and a mad party life, maybe the Gold Coast in Australia (dosnt have to be here just using an easy example, and its where Im going) is for you, its infamous throughout Oz as party central and the coldest it gets is about 10 degrees in the dead of winter, this is true for pretty much all of the East coast though, so anywhere from Sydney all the way up to Caines may be for you.

Get on travel websites, phone up travel companies (though if you can help it dont go with them, I say this because quite frankly it may be easier, but I just fount it alot more rewarding to go it alone) and ask, you find most the people that work for them were/are really really keen travellers and will tell you everything you need too know. If your not that keen on travelling alone and dont talk to strangers comfortably I would maybe go with a travel group to get there initially as they really do help with setting up, getting your documents sorted so you can work, and then give you a really easy way to make friends straight off the bat in the area you are. For example in Oz I know bunac have group flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth Canberra and Brissy, they then proceed to chuck all of the people you took the flight with into the same hostel and into the same orientation meetings, so that you can socialise and make friends with people in excatley the same situation as you... Like I say, its all just your personal preference.

I cannot recomend doing this enough, my last year has been by the best of my short little life, I've made some of the best and lifelong friends, travelled to some of the most beautifal areas, and witnessed some of the most amazing events that Canada has to offer. I've also learnt one hell of alot about myself, matured a shit load more, and generally wised up to alot of things in life that I really didnt think my self shielded from.

Jesus what a wall of text. Any more questions feel free to ask, if you want links or whatever let me know.

Hope this helps in some way.

Will.

[arw_86]

Been living and working in Canada now for 9 months, and am going to be staying for the full year. Awesome place to visit, amazingly helpful, friendly people and as a nation there pretty dam casual about everything, its awesome. Pretty easy to get into for a year, go to a company called Bunac, who you have to go through as the Canadian High Commision dont deal with us on there own, and you pay them to set you up with a visa. All super easy as long as you dont have anything on your record and dont feck around during the Visa application. Costs a fair bit compared to other countries though.

Whoever made the comment about Oz, its bollocks, you can go for 2 years and keep renewing the Visa until the age of 31, at which point you either apply for a perm resident visa (helps alot if you have a sponsor) or you go home. I'll find the links if I have too, but just Google smartly and follow the links for the Aussie home office about working holiday visas. It costs alot less than going to Canada aswell.

For picking which country to go too, I'd do alot of homework first and decide upon what you reckon suits you the best, and what your wanting to do/work as. I chose Canada due to being a crazy keen skiier and generally looking for a more relaxed way of life, that didnt involve sitting on a beach all day. If your looking for the beach, sun, girls and a mad party life, maybe the Gold Coast in Australia (dosnt have to be here just using an easy example, and its where Im going) is for you, its infamous throughout Oz as party central and the coldest it gets is about 10 degrees in the dead of winter, this is true for pretty much all of the East coast though, so anywhere from Sydney all the way up to Caines may be for you.

Get on travel websites, phone up travel companies (though if you can help it dont go with them, I say this because quite frankly it may be easier, but I just fount it alot more rewarding to go it alone) and ask, you find most the people that work for them were/are really really keen travellers and will tell you everything you need too know. If your not that keen on travelling alone and dont talk to strangers comfortably I would maybe go with a travel group to get there initially as they really do help with setting up, getting your documents sorted so you can work, and then give you a really easy way to make friends straight off the bat in the area you are. For example in Oz I know bunac have group flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth Canberra and Brissy, they then proceed to chuck all of the people you took the flight with into the same hostel and into the same orientation meetings, so that you can socialise and make friends with people in excatley the same situation as you... Like I say, its all just your personal preference.

I cannot recomend doing this enough, my last year has been by the best of my short little life, I've made some of the best and lifelong friends, travelled to some of the most beautifal areas, and witnessed some of the most amazing events that Canada has to offer. I've also learnt one hell of alot about myself, matured a shit load more, and generally wised up to alot of things in life that I really didnt think my self shielded from.

Jesus what a wall of text. Any more questions feel free to ask, if you want links or whatever let me know.

Hope this helps in some way.

Will.

cheers mate, that really helps me alot! Makes me really want to look into it all properly. Did you just turn up and look for work and a place to stay? some useful websites would be appreciated to! And as for what you said in the last paragraph....thats exactly what i want from my experience!

if i look into it more would you mind if i messaged you if i have questions?

thanks again

adam

[Laurence--Trials]

GO TO AUSTRALIAAAAA its unbeleavableee its the best place i've ever been i went 8th dec - 1st jan i'd live there if i had the chance i traveled all down the east coast from cans (not spelt propperly) down to sidney (new years eve) saw the fireworks/ sidney opra house and harbour bridge its soo amazing words cant discribe it, its far greener and mouninus than i thort it would be, however if you do go, remember suncream my sister went out for 10 munuites in the rain and got burnt, its so strong! anything else you want to ask feel free to ask on here or pm me

Laurence.

[Shaun H]

I would like to go to Canada for a year, maybe more, when I graduate next year.

Would want a proper engineering graduate job though, not a working holiday thing with bar work or whatever... Dunno if there's any organisations that sort that kind of thing out but from what I hear about the demand for graduates in Canada it shouldn't be too hard getting a VISA?

[Willy]

Go ahead and message me with any sorts of questions mate, I'll post some sites when I can think of them haha, the main one to look at for Canada atleast is Bunac, and you should be able to follow links on there to most things. I did just show up and get a job and a place to stay yeah, you need money to give yourself breathing room if you cant get a job straight away, but its super easy to find a job out here and craigslist (google it) makes getting a place to stay really really really easy. You shouldnt be without a place and job for more than 2 weeks max in the citys...

Id just get on a plane to Vancouver in the summer, show up at the Samesun Hostel on Granville Street and make friends that way, party with them, maybe even get a place to stay with someone looking to work there, imo by far the best way to do it.

Shaun you would need to look at the Canadian High Commisions website and I would really recomend getting a sponsor before you even try it. Will make things alot alot easier if your going for a proper Visa.

[arw_86]

got the serious winter blues today, need to seriously look in to getting away, need something to look forward to.

just dont know if i have the bottle to do it on my own.

Edited January 6, 2010 by arw_86

[haydon_peter]

just dont know if i have the bottle to do it on my own.

You're never on your own though.

You will always bump into other people and make friends, you just need to stay in youth hostels or go on group bus trips where you are likely to meet other single travellers. On the trips I have done most of the friends I have made were travelling alone!

I do understand what you are saying though, even though I have previously travelled on my own the thought of going away and not knowing if you will meet up with anyone would still scare the shit out of me!

[Rob_P]

Tic you ever looked into going to Whistler, Canada? Would love to go there and do some riding this summer. Need to get away and go somewhere for a month or so, it's just where and how!

[haydon_peter]

I have thought about going to Whistler to ride but it seems that for the cost of just the flight to Canada you could spend 1 week in France.

This summer we plan to go to the French Alps for 2 weeks. Current plans are Morzine the first week then Les Arcs the second week.

If your interesting in coming along let me know and I can get you included on the emails organising the trip

Anyway lets not go off topic...

Australia and New Zealand are both amazing places, you can apply for a 1 year working holiday visa up until your 30th birthday. With Australia you can apply for a second year at the end of your first year, with NZ you can apply for a 2 year visa right from the start subject to passing a medical test.

[Joe Papasnap Maher]

I too have been looking to come to Canada.

Fed up with Dubai.

No idea what I want to do in Canada though..

Ive no idea where my head is right now.

Ive got enough money saved to come and live there for a while ( 6 months ) as thats all id be allowed to stay without a job..

But what and where..

I have Family ( Albeit, 2nd cousins ) in Toronto who ive recently got in touch with..see if i can go and stay with them for abit..

Arghhh, ive no idea

[rocktrials]

Spent a year in Australia 2007-2008. Had a working holiday visa. Worked 4 months on the Great Barrier Reef - an island - and travelled quite a lot. Went with my girlfriend, and she has close family over there who gave us base camp etc.

With your trade, I bet you could find work easily, building trade is massive over there, and all the mines need workers. I'd love to go back.

On the visa thing....we were under the impression that once you have had a one year working holiday visa, you can't get another, unless, you do 3 months rural work (fruit picking etc) and then that allows you to get another years as you're helping the country etc.

Now....I love travelling Since July '09, I moved to Southern Ireland to work for a games company which is f****** brilliant and amazing experience. Giving me the opportunity to travel more too.

[haydon_peter]

On the visa thing....we were under the impression that once you have had a one year working holiday visa, you can't get another, unless, you do 3 months rural work (fruit picking etc) and then that allows you to get another years as you're helping the country etc.

Fruit picking/farming for 3 months (for the same employer for 3 months constantly I believe) allows you to apply for the 2nd year.

I met someone who was allowed to apply for their second year visa because they had blagged a job working in an animal sanctuary on kangaroo island. All they were going to be doing was working in the cafe and souvenir shop but they were informed that as long as they had assisted looking after the animals that was good enough to apply for the second year visa.

The other way to stay out there longer is to get sponsorship from a company. The only problem with this is if you lose the job with the company that has sponsored you you're stuffed and may have to leave the country (depending on how long you have been out there working).

Getting longer than the 1 year working tourist visa in Australia isn't too simple.

[Willy]

It isnt that hard... Be in the same job that benefits there economey for 3 months...

http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-ho...lity-second.htm

[Reece B]

Started making plans to go to Canada either end of this year or start of next year, but after doing some research i'm confused if i have to apply for a visa or not?

Its says on the Canadian Gov site that British citizens don't have to apply for a visa, or is that purely just for visiting and not a working visit?

[Joe Papasnap Maher]

Bump!

Just wanna hear more about this 'Willy' chap. I wanna be in his shoes

[arw_86]

Bump!

Just wanna hear more about this 'Willy' chap. I wanna be in his shoes

i was on the verge of bumping too lol! as i am still looking into it all and as you said, i want to hear more about this 'Willy' chap.

has anyone ever been new zealand? where are the best places to visit? Or best places to work and live from?

new zealand seems to have an identical points system for visas as australia.

torn as to what to do. Ive thought about canada abit now too but i cant stand the cold here so doubt ill cope in canada lol

[kells]

Does anyone know if you need to have savings to be allowed the 1 year working visa in Australia?

[arw_86]

Does anyone know if you need to have savings to be allowed the 1 year working visa in Australia?

i read somewhere about you need $350 dollars per month to cover your stay incase you have no job. (this may have been for new zealand though?) i found loads of info on everything just typing stuff into google. The best places are obviously the governments own website for each country.

[rocktrials]

my mate just did like 18 months in NZ, worked on a dairy farm, said was equivalent pay of like £30k per year. or that's what he was offered to stay longer.

me and gf went out with like 1k each, converted into 2.5k aussie dollars. but we had free food/rent/utilities from gf's auntie and uncle which was nicest thing ever.