I figured The Lounge would but the best place for this, but I don't really know...

Anyway, I was thinking about trying to get a job overseas for the summer--a regular job, nothing like an internship or anything. I just would like to get a work permit and go over there and work at a bar/restuarant/hotel--something like that. Has anyone on here done that? And if so, how was your experience? (Who helped you? Was it hard to get work over there? Did you get the job before you went? Where did you work? Would you recommend it?) Anything about it really. I would really appreciate the help. Thanks!

2/27/2006 1:48:04 PM

I work oveseas fairly regularly, although not in the types of positions that you are mentioning. This may be obvious to you, but its worth mentioning: Bartending/restaurant jobs in many countries aren't as 'cool' or 'glamorous' as their counterparts here. They are often given a flat wage which is fairly low and not tipped.

Give us some idea of where you are thinking of going and I may be able to offer more specific input.

2/27/2006 1:51:10 PM

are you by any chance 1/8? irish?

2/27/2006 1:56:06 PM

maybe check iaeste out if you are engr

2/27/2006 1:58:28 PM

thanks for the response. I mean, those are the things I'm wondering. I would like something that I could get fairly easily. I realize getting a job in overseas won't come too easy--but I would like something that is attainable and pays a decent amount (basically enough to just pay for living and traveling while I'm there). The only languages I could work with would be English or Spanish (have a minor in spanish--not fluent by any means though). So obviously, I would think somewhere in the UK, Australia or Spain. However, I wouldn't mind at all to work in a country where I didn't know much of the language, but I don't know if it's really possible to get a job somewhere like that.

Not Irish or an engineer -- business managment and communication major

[Edited on February 27, 2006 at 2:00 PM. Reason : meh]

2/27/2006 1:58:46 PM

http://www.ncsu.edu/studyabroad/work/casual.html

Great links for info here. I know of a couple of people who have worked through BUNAC and had a fun experience.

2/27/2006 9:16:32 PM

on a related note -- to work in the UK, when you're no longer a student -- is it very doable? Or do you have to prove yourself to a company well enough that they'll help with initial work permits prior to actually moving?

-ZiP!-

2/27/2006 9:19:51 PM

almost impossible to work in europe without citizenship unless either

1) you have a skill the company needs that cannot be met by EU candidates (thats a law there)

or

2) you get paid under the table

which in that case, i know a few places you could easily get a job

2/27/2006 9:26:14 PM

^yep. especially with unskilled labor jobs. you are going to have a VERY rough time finding quick work like that.

2/27/2006 9:46:31 PM

BUNAC is great if you want to go for up to 6 months in your time off of school, or take a semester off to go - you can get paid (legally!) and it's fairly easy to get (as easy as mailing you stuff in I think)

check it out - good for the UK, and I think oz, new zeland and ireland too (though i'm not sure about those)

bunac.com should sort you out

2/27/2006 10:43:39 PM

Quote :

"almost impossible to work in europe without citizenship unless either"

ha! if it's hard to do that in europe (i'm not arguing it's not) it has to be 5 times as bad in Japan. Believe me, most countries don't want you unless you can prove that you got something they need.

But i wouldn't discourage quite yet. There are opportunities out there, but keep in mind there are also a lot of things in this world that exist for the sheer purpose of keeping you from doing what is the basic idea of this thread. If you have a year or more in college still get involved in IAESTE or some other offices and orginizations around campus after doing some research. If your major is a useless one, you chances will be affected accordingly. English teaching is going to come up at one point or another. That does, however, hinge strongly on how much time you have available to do this. If you want to get something just for a summer or something, you need to be on the top of your game and investigate lots of programs and stuff. And it depends on the country and all (i don't know everything), but for the most part, forget the waiter thing.

2/27/2006 11:02:38 PM

I spent last summer in Cork, Ireland with the same idea as you and to spend some time with my beau. I went through BUNAC to do so. Got everything I needed (work permit health insurance....) Also paid ~$600 for it and on top of that a $700 roundtrip ticket. I didn't have a job lined up before I got there but thought it would be a piece of cake to get one. Little did I know that I arrived at the time all the students were finishing up with their classes and they were looking for jobs too, as well as every other international person on the planet. Luckily I landed a temporary job with my boyfriend's uncle to earn some cash. Then a month before my departure I was working at a butcher's shop getting paid piss poor wages since I wasn’t “experienced” enough to cut skirts and kidneys. All in all the summer was a great experience and had loads of fun. Although, I would definitely suggest finding a job or a prospect of a job before you go. As well as a housing situation sorted. Have your basic necessities covered, unless of course you like to fly by the seat of your pants, which can be good too.

Would do it again in a heartbeat if I had the $$$.

3/1/2006 2:46:56 AM

sent you a PM!

3/1/2006 11:21:35 AM

great posts so far everyone....more help/details of trip would be appreciated!

3/5/2006 8:32:36 PM