Hi everyone, I'm a 19 year old Australian who's taking a year off from university and want to do some work in the UK before I head over to a kibbutz in Israel. I've talked to CCUSA, but their program fees are quite expensive, so I'm thinking of just organising my own working holiday in London. Is this advisable? Has anyone gone on a working holiday with other programs? I've been looking at housing, which seems to be an okay cost, I'll be sharing a room anyway most likely. I'll also try and save by cycling around the city. Part of the reason why I'm planning a working holiday is because I want to finance my trip to India and Taiwan afterwards and my parents will provide me with minimal financial support for my flight to Israel. Where's the best place to look for a job? Where's the best place to stay in London? The cheapest (yet safe)? Also, should I apply for a visa through a visa representative thingamajig, or do it myself? I'm trying to save wherever I can. Is it possible to find a job as an unskilled post-teen before heading over? I hear that in July there are more job openings because people go on holidays or something? The main worry for me is staying unemployed for longer than a week in London, and not being able to support myself. Any input is welcome. Thanks! Tiffany
Aww this is really sad, your gonna have yell really loud to get anything out of these Brits, there in bed most of the time. good luck.. Peace
Because of the recession, jobs are hard to get here at the moment. But yeah, in the summer you are better of applying as university students visit home and leave their jobs. However the catch there is you are a temporary worker, and will be sacked once the summer has finished (unless you impress somebody!) Best places to find work are your supermarkets and the likes. High street jobs are harder to get in London as apposed to anywhere else in the UK. It really has a huge population and it's pretty cut throat. I no little about visas and where you can stay though, I just hostel it when i go 'cos i'm there for only a small while at a time. Good luck though, it's a very fun city
I believe those places are usually rip-offs. If you look on the Home Office website you can find out loads. Thing is, if you want to come on a holiday visa, you won't be able to work. There are visas though for people who are planning on coming to do work while on holiday. But I can't remember what they are called? Also, I think you will need to have your job arranged beforehand? But I'm not 100% certain on that. When you come through immigration and customs, they will want to know how you plan on surviving here for however long you are intending to stay. If you can't show them you have plenty of funds in the bank, or a job already lined up, you might get some hassle. Not really sure about the other bits, as I don't live near London. Only thing I can tell you is that London (and around London) is one of the most expensive places to live and stay.
i dont know much about work, but bar works not too hard to come by if youve got experience, especially down south try camberwell, wandsworth, streatham, brixton, clapham (my ends ) as for accomodation, try the generator. its a hostel in russel square, fairly central. its pretty cool, but definitely more of a base camp than a place to stay. not too dodgy, but, you know, watch your stuff, same as any hostel. ive stayed there before its not too bad, but bring ear plugs if your tryinta sleep on a friday or saturday night lol
