BUNACers

Hi again, ya'll-

I made my first post, an introduction of sorts, last week.

Now, I have an official question about visas. BUNAC in particular. I have read some of and will read more of the previous postings about BUNAC, as well as checking out their official website. I'd just like to get some feedback from people who have participated in the programme, if you guys don't mind.

1) You don't have to have actually graduated college to apply, correct? As long as you can prove that you were enrolled in school for a certain number of hours in the semester prior to whenever you plan travel to the UK?

2) Do community college students qualify for BUNAC?

3) Say I did enroll in school. How soon could I begin the BUNAC visa process? I would assume that I wouldn't have to wait unti the semester was over?

4) If a person working in the UK on a BUNAC visa were to find a job they'd like to keep, would they need to go back to the US and have their employer get them back to the UK on a more traditional work visa? I understand that most BUNAC participants probably just work at jobs with high turnover rates (waiting tables, clothing stores, etc.) But isn't it possible that a person could get a more "real" job, as long as the employer knows on the front in that, if they want the employee to stay, there'll be some work involved (I suppose "real" jobs would be hesitant to hire someone only in the country for six months though...)

I explained in my "welcome wagon" introduction that I'm not currently in school and would probably only return to school if it would allow me to travel to the UK. I've gathered that it'd be pretty pricey to enroll in university in the UK, unless you attend a US university that has an exchange programme of sorts. To me, that means that BUNAC could be a good option for me.

But, uh, that's about it for now. I'm trying really hard not to post a million over-done questions, because I know how annoying that can be.

Thanks so much...
Amanda

P.S. Mods - if this should be in the student lounge area, please feel free to moooooove it right along.

hi amanda-
i havent used a bunac yet, but ive done a good bit of research in preperation for it, so heres what i know.
1. no you dont have to graduate to qualify. say youre enrolled in 14 hours (i think 12 is the minimum) this semester. within 6 months from the end of this semester you qualify for the visa. i think you may have to enter the uk within that 6 month period. not sure about that bit tho.
2. as far as i know, cc's do qualify. at least i havent read anything that lead me to believe otherwise.
3. again, as far as i know as soon as youre enrolled you can being the bunac visa process. if i remember correctly all thats required is a proff of enrollment and not a transcript of any kind.
4.  i dont have any experience with this one, but from what ive read, i believe that your employer can start the paperwork while youre in the uk for the work permit but you do have to go back to the states and re-enter using the new permit.

hope that helps some, and if i muffed anything up im sorry!!! but im sure others have ALOT more information on this than i do.

im sure youve answered this somewhere else and ive missed it, but whats bringing you to the uk?

Hi Amanda,

I don't know much about BUNAC but more so on how work permits operate. Work permits are given to qualified applicants after the employer has made a thorough search of qualified locals. Usually this has to be documented and time limited i.e., employer put ads in the paper weekly for X amount of months etc. Locals need to be given priority first. International applicants need some sort of unique skill, experience or education that sets them apart from the rest. I am sure you have come across many threads on this topic and it truly is a bit of a challenge.

Go for the BUNAC if you can. I've met lots of people who have had incredible experiences.

Good luck.

Hey, thanks a lot for the input!

I do have a community college in my town that I have attended on and off for more semesters than I'd care to admit. If BUNAC does indeed work for community college students, then that could really open up my chances of going to the UK for a spell. If it requires enrollment in an actual university, that would be more of a problem for me, since I'm situated about an hour from the University of Memphis on the north or an hour from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) to the south. Besides that, community college is much more affordable than a normal university, of course.

I do understand somewhat how normal work permits--well--work. That's why I was wondering if, sometime during my employment at a "real" job, I could approach my employer about possibly keeping me on longer (with, of course, my having to go back to the States and return once the permit is sorted.) Seems like sort of a neat idea, since coming over just as a visitor wouldn't allow me to even look for a job.

Anyone know if BUNAC offers any resources as far as locating housing before or after a participant enters the country?

Right then! If anyone else runs across this thread and has anything to add to the replies I've already received, please do!

-Amanda

For future reference, to anyone who runs across this thread in the future, I e-mailed the people at BUNAC about whether or not the community college in my town would qualify me for their programme. I've been given the "okay" by the woman who responded to my e-mail. The response was very quick and pretty friendly. Guess that means I need to pick up a Spring course schedule...

-Amanda

congrats to you! good luck making it happen 

was there anything said about how many units you need to qualify- f/t vs. p/t?

jklm725 - Thanks And, I didn't ask about the units required yet. As you may or may not have read for yourself on the BUNAC site, they consider 8 hours the minimum to participate in their programme. It says "full time", but full time in the States is generally considered to be 12 hours, which I'm sure you're aware of yourself. I guess the best thing to do, if going for the minimum hours allowed, would be to take three, three credit hours courses. Though, if there's a hope for financial aid of any sort, 12 hours is required for that.

I'll probably e-mail BUNAC again about the hour requirements before enrolling, just so there's no confusion there on my part.

that's really exciting. i wish I knew about BUNAC when I was in school. I've met so many people in random places around the world who have done it. I am all for promoting world understanding any way possible.  is there a limit how many times you can do it?

From their site:

Participants can take part on the Work in Britain program for a second time for up to six months and in another calendar year. Returning applicants must again meet all eligibility requirements and must obtain a new Blue Card. Applicants are not able to use the same semester of eligibility and participation cannot be six months back to back, ie. participants must be back in school for at least one semester before they are eligible to apply for a second Blue Card.

I guess you can do it twice then? Seems though, that as long as you're willing to be in school for a semester, work for a semester, and so forth and so on, then you should be able to do the programme as much as you want! Oh well, beggers can't be choosers, as they say...

guess so, imagine if you were trying to earn a degree at the same time  it would take you forever to finish!