BUNAC Program: A Chance for U.S Students and Recent Grads to Live and Work Overseas

Many college students are looking for new and interesting experiences. Travel ends up being a huge part of that. However, some students are looking for more than a tourists view of a country. Part of the personal growth students undertake is learning about and experiencing new cultures, finding out about the world, and putting their feet in someone else's shoes. In many Asian countries, this need and desire is often met through teach abroad programs. But what about European countries where English is readily spoken or taught to a fluent degree? Getting up close and personal with these countries is a little harder, and without work a long term stay is costly, a factor that students cannot usually afford. This is where a corporation called BUNAC comes in. BUNAC, the acronym for British Universities North American Club, offers U.S students a chance at working and living in several different English speaking countries that would otherwise be nearly impossible to find work in.

BUNAC has been around for more 45 years as a non-profit and non-political student organization that offers a range of opportunities to students wishing to travel out of their native country and into the world around them. BUNAC provides a resource to find work legally in a foreign country without all the visa hassles and maintain ties and support from program coordinators.

Currently, BUNAC offers work programs in New Zealand, Australia, England, Ireland, and Canada. These programs offered by BUNAC are fantastic opportunities as working visas are extremely hard to get, especially for students who don't yet have the skills that are in demand in those countries, and because most countries would rather rely on local and native workers as that supports residents of the country. Additionally, working holiday visas for these countries aren't available to U.S citizens. So unless your university offers a study abroad program, BUNAC is probably your best bet. Of course, BUNAC also has its restrictions and requirements. All programs require that you are a U.S citizen of 18 years or older. There are several programs (Australia and New Zealand) that don't require you be a current student, but these have a cap on age. You must be under 35 for the New Zealand program and 30 for the Australian. All other work and live programs require you be a current university student or a recent graduate within one semester of graduate at the time of application. Program fees also vary with each program, so you'll need to check the website or contact BUNAC personally.

In addition to work and live programs, BUNAC offers volunteer programs to Peru, South Africa, and Cambodia. In each country the programs vary, but are generally humanitarian type work. You're provided with housing and placement with a program as well as support throughout the application and volunteering process. These programs run on either eight week or twelve week stints, except for South Africa which is a five week or eight week program. As expected, fees applied to each program based on the amount of time you wish to stay and in what country you wish to be placed. However, these programs provide an excellent world experience and a chance to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than yourselves. Many students come back changed and have a broader understanding of the world, different cultures, and the need for international aid to different countries.

Each of the volunteer programs also have a set of requirements similar to those of the work and live abroad programs. Both Peru and South African require you be a university student or recent graduate, and all programs require you be above the age of 18. The website details the application process which BUNAC will help you through, this goes for the work and live programs as well. The only suggestion is that you save before you go. For work and live programs you'll need enough money to hold you over until you find a position, and you'll need to find an apartment. For any other program you'll want to bring along money in case of emergencies or for basic needs. However, all volunteer programs, save for Cambodia, provide food, and all provide accommodation. In addition, BUNAC advises that students purchase travel insurance through them, and this is required for work abroad programs. Just an extra cost that can be troublesome, but worth it in case of emergencies.

Working and living abroad, making a difference in a foreign country, getting to know locals, fellow BUNAC participants, and making new friends is a great and eye opening experience. An experience that can carry over into one's social life as well as their professional. Don't put off a trip overseas because you don't think you can plan it, afford it, or handle the documentation. BUNAC is a great way to see the world with ease, and to see it from the point of view of those that live there.

BUNAC Website: http://www.bunac.com/usa/

Contact:

BUNAC USA,
PO Box 430,
Southbury,CT 06488,
USA
Telephone: (203) 264-0901 or 1-800-GO-BUNAC
Fax: (203) 264-0251
E-mail: info@bunacusa.org