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BUNAC WORTH IT?! |
 Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:29 pm |
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| Hey so im off to OZ in january hoping to get some fruit picking done so i can apply for a 2nd whv, id love to go work in canada for a summer probably not next yr but possibly the year after!!
Been looking at BUNAC is it worth the £300 (have i read this right and it is £300 yeah) is it worth the money and do they defo get ya a job or do they just give you websites to look at??! |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 2494 Posts |
| Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:54 pm |
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| The initial £5 membership fee as I wasn't a member. Though I did then have to pay an extra £40 for 2 Police Checks (£35 for one) (The High Commission wont grant a visa without one... and they keep it for their records and a fair few employers will ask to see one before they hire you) plus the £85 that the High Commission charges to deal with the application... so yeah, just a bit over £300 in total.
I haven't actually gone out there yet, still waiting on the visa to come back to me. However like you, I was quite skeptical in the beginning as I'd heard you could get visas for Oz direct and cheaply too. However I did my research and found the high commission will only grant these types of visas through BUNAC and any other companies which offer a similar programme such as CCUSA, they have to go through BUNAC to get one for you too. CCUSA do charge a lot more for one of their options, but they will find you a job (it's one job offer and if you turn it down you're left to find you own thing) BUNAC don't find you the work, but have a big support system in place to aid your search... and this is a lot cheaper than what CCUSA offer. It's not supposed to be too difficult to find work once you're out there so long as you're willing to be flexible and do stuff like waitressing, bar work, basic office jobs etc. and whilst you're doing that to pay rent, you can look for something better/career related, what ever really. No idea if this was helpful at all! |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 65 Posts |
| Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:49 pm |
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| If you are really set on Canada then it is worth it. There are a couple of hidden charges though, which is cheeky, but it gets you to Canada with an open working visa and it's the only real practical option to get out here.
Just do research on the different places. Most people go to Vancouver, like me, but some go to Toronto or Montreal. Those who head to the ski resorts tend to only stay for 3 or 4 months and then go home happy but broke. BUNAC/SWAP will help you find jobs in their offices (on job boards) but really they just supply you the working holiday visa. It's really up to you to find a job, but it is fairly easy to find work in a place like Vancouver so I wouldn't worry about it too much. You can find casual, serving, office or whatever jobs you like. In my house right now we have a cook, a security guard, 2 people at toys r us, a guy in a supermarket and I'm working at a web design agency. Tons of jobs if you are vigilant. |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 41 Posts |
| Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:58 pm |
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hey, cheers for the advice i think i will be going with bunac then happy days  |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 2494 Posts |
| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:14 am |
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| I used Bunac for Work America. Had a brilliant time, I dont know if its the same as the Canada one but Bunac gave me a book of employers which they use every year then I looked at the different states and different jobs and applied for a few and ended up on a travelling fair in California for 4 months. I found Bunac really helpful but they dont smother you, they are there if you need them but it still feels like your trip.
Cant say a bad thing about them xx |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 1358 Posts |
| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:28 pm |
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| Hey guys
Thanks for all this info, I'm quite keen to go to Canada and work and this has been really helpful cos I definitely thought there had to be a cheaper way to get a working visa and always thought companies like Bunac were a waste of money! Caroline, or anyone, is it right that the visa applications start in Dec for the followin year and its kind of a first come first served basis as they dont have an infinite number like Oz? In which case, I guess its not possible to apply whilst already travelling?as police checks etc would be needed from the UK? A ny more info would be great thanks x |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 34 Posts |
| Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:54 pm |
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| It's around November December time I believe. Though I started looking into this Feb this year so I wasn't waiting for them to start up so don't know exact dates off the top of my head, but towards the end of the year! They didn't run out of the visas for this year until fairly recently - end of May beginning of June I believe so it's not like you have to get it in within the first 2 weeks or you loose, but if you're eager (like me) and want to go asap then you might as well!
As for applying abroad, this year was the first year you could go through the application process without having to return to your home country. I haven't done this so I'm not 100% on how it works, but it must be possible! If you're in Oz or somewhere like that, it might be worth your while popping into a BUNAC office there as I'm sure they'd be able to help. Or ring if there isn't one close by! |
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| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 65 Posts |
| Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:35 am |
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| it says for this visa on the bunac website that you CAN apply for it whilst your travelling (mentions being in OZ!!) x | |
| Back to top | Location: Unknown | 2494 Posts |
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