Hello there!

I am SO very happy to find this website.

I am 24 years old and from Long Island, New York. I did a college internship at Disney World, Orlando Florida from January-June 2003. I met a wonderful English man who I am very much in love with. I was one of 10 Americans to live in the international apartment complex; all of my friends and all the time I spent were with UK citizens. I fell in love with their culture, lifestyles and country and now I want to move there.

I have been spending every few moment online searching for jobs, people to talk to, apartments, etc. Finally, I found UKYankee!

I have been trying to find jobs online (waitress, bar maid or retail) and really have gotten nowhere. I am applying like mad to retail stores (been in the industry for 6 years with management experience) but I have not heard any replies yet. Right now, the only way I can think of going to the UK is to apply with BUNAC (British Universities North America Club.) It gives full time American college students an instant 6 month working Visa for Britain. My stipulation is that I want to move there permanently so I am awaiting a reply email from BUNAC to see if I can stay there after my Visa expires if a company hires me full-time.

I am looking to move to Cheltenham (Gloucestershire.)

Looking forward to participating on the boards- Cheers!

Hello ny_2_uk!  Welcome to Uk Yankee!  

As you've already found out, getting a job here without 'specialist skills' is darned near impossible.  Reason for that is employers cannot even think about hiring you without going through a long and expensive process to get you a work permit.  They have to prove that no one else in the UK or in the whole of the EU can do the job they want you to come and do.  Not an easy thing!  Still, where there's a will there's a way. There's no harm in trying!

BUNAC is a great way of moving over, if you qualify.  I know a few people who have done that and then been hired later by firms in the UK.

There's lots of good info in the Visa sections about all this though, which I'm sure you'll find.

For now, just wanted to say howdy, and good luck!  Hope you keep posting and let us know how your search is going.  

 

Hi and welcome to the forum.  I think Bunac is a good way to go-that way you'll have six months to find your feet and decide if you really do like it.  I wouldn't worry to much about permant positions yet-alot can change in six months.  My husband used Bunac to come to the US fifteen years ago and it made it very easy.  
Good luck and hope every thing goes well for you.  

Welcome to UKY!   Best of luck on your plans.  Sounds like BUNAC would be a good opportunity to check things out in the UK.  This is a great site to get lots of helpful info.  It's been a great help to me.  

-Sandy

Hi. I remember reading somewhere that USA citizens under  to the age of 27 can automatically obtain a youth visa.

I'd go check out some visa specialist companies www.workpermits.co.uk etc. to see what you qualify for.

If you have no luck, well you could always become a 'student' and work part time.

Teachers are in high demand also and are able to get permits more easily.

Good luck!

Cindy

Hi!

Thanks very much for your kind and informative responses. I have been on this website non-stop since I have found it yesterday!

SurreyGal: I will check out the "Youth Work Permits" after I write this post, thanks!

Am still waiting to hear back from BUNAC.... My question to them is can I leave mid-semester to live in England or must I finish the semester up before I can go there? BUNAC's wesbite said there is "rolling arrivals"- I can go when I choose, but since I did not recieve any credit for my internship at Disney this past semester- I am wondering if Im still considered a full time student... I will have to register for classes this September and am hoping that I can drop them a few weeks later and move to England.

My boyfriend's Disney work contract ends the 6th of July (he has been there for a year now!) and he is coming to NY to spend a week with me. I miss him terribly and can not wait to see him. Then I have plans to visit him at the end of August for my 25th birthday. He is taking me to his home-town's football match- I'm stoked!

Thanks again for the nice responses.  

Hello,

Welcome to the boards!

Let us know how it goes with BUNAC.  I'm sure there will be people interested in trying to go that route if it works for you.

Have you ever been to the UK before?

Well must be off to work but just wanted to welcome you and wish you the best of luck in your endevours!

Hello!

Thanks again for everyones welcomes.

SurreyGal: THANK YOU! I looked in the permits section of the website you suggested and I found a permit I am going to apply for.

It is called the "working holiday visa" and allows US citizens between the ages of 17 and 27 to apply for a 2 year "holiday" permit. You can only work part time (up to 25 hours weekly and not more at full time status for 1/2 of your visit.) Your main purpose there is to holiday and not work. Perfect!

I am going to send my forms in this week and I will let you all know how it turns out. Thanks again!

welcome and what part of Long Island?  From Brooklyn myself

M: live on eastern Long Island. Used to live in Bensonhurst {Brooklyn.}

Sadly, the 2 year Youth Working Holiday Visa I thought I would be able to get is ONLY for Commonwealth citiznes.  [smiley=sad2.gif] The only way I can move to England is thru the BUNAC program and I won't be able to apply until December when I finish a semesters worth of work at college. I really can not imagine being away from my baby for 4 months. He will be here in 8 days though (for one week) so I am looking forward to that but I'm not happy about saying goodbye once again to him.

Well I used to live in Patchougue off Rt 112 and then in Shirley (on William Floyd Pkwy) for about a bit over a year.  I went to SUNY Old Westbury (near Jericho/Hicksville) in Nassau.  I wonder if you know these places.  Used to always hang out in Roosevelt Field Mall (or Broadway Mall).

Well if u lived in Bensonhurst then you'll know where i live...18th Avenue and 47th St.

Hope all the talk rekindled some memories.

Stay Strong Sister!!  

Goodness, yes lived close to me. Live in Baiting Hollow and East Hampton, best friend used to live in Shirley, off William Floyd, she now lives in Patchogue off Rt. 112, my dad graduated from Old Westbury and Roosevelt Field Mall has some of my favorite stores in in (included ZARA!)

Brooklyn: Bay Ridge & 18th.

"its a small world after all" {to bring me back to my ungodly disney days...}

cheers, m.  

Bay Ridge & 18th??  Isnt that right next to that cheesy late-night diner almost under the El (across the street from one of my fav Pizza shops right next door to my fav Italian bakery - mmm cream puffs!!) then if u walk up you'll see the R&S Strauss car part store across the street on the left from the Odeon/UA theater that closed down??  I spent many a day buying parts from the R&S Strauss fixing them in the parking lot across the street and then reading a book in the Library by the parking lot. (Keep walking down to 17th ave and you get to this EXCELLENT bagel shop)

As for Patchogue off Rt 112, I lived near the big Pathmark and make a right immed. after the big Ford dealership....before you get to the Hostess store

Did I hit the nail on the head??  Hope it helped make u smile and see that even if u had to go back home, it isn't all that bad  

Hi Merouby & NY

I'm from the Bronx and currently living in Gosport.. Just mentioning NY Pizza is making my mouth water!  


Welcome!

Maureen