How can I work temporarily, legally?

Hello,
I'm an American who is learning Welsh. (Sicne I know you'll ask, the reason is that I my ancestors came from Wales, and having discovered the Welsh language, I've fallen in love with it.) I want to move for 6-12 months to an area of Wales where Welsh is still fairly often used, get some kind of job sufficient to keep myself from starving during that time, and upgrade my language skills. How can an American find a (legal) job?

Thanks for any help anyone can offer!

Learner 

Hi Learner,

I am American too trying to find a job in the UK. Check out the visa section and see if you qualify for any of those... if not you may have to get an employer to sponsor a work permit. That's what I am trying to do. Generally, you need to have some sort of skill that makes you more employable than a local person.  Your chances of finding a job depends on your experiences and what you can offer an employer. I see posts all the time for Welsh speakers. Recruiters and job search engines all over this forum... do you have some sort of marketable profession or experience? There are also lots of short term volunteer opportunities if you just want to give that a try. Or try bars, hotels etc... again it all depends on what you see yourself doing abroad.

Good luck to you and don't forget that all of this takes time and patience.

I would check out a BUNAC visa. The program lasts for 6 months and youre eligible for almost any kind of job anywhere in Britain. There are some restrictions about who can get the visa, but as far as I can tell, if youre a college student, or have graduated recently you  can get one. I havent used one, but Im planning to when I graduate from university.  I dont know if youre interested at all, but you can combine it with a program in Ireland and do the same there for 4 months.

There are alot of people on this site who have used the BUNAC program and they will know a lot more about it than I do. Best of luck and hope this helps!

Ashley

If you only want a job for 6-12 months, something like a pub or bar might be your best bet. In the summer, there's also a lot of seasonal tourist-related employment available. I'm not saying any of this will pay too well, but it's something!

Welcome and best of luck to you!

If you only want a job for 6-12 months, something like a pub or bar might be your best bet. In the summer, there's also a lot of seasonal tourist-related employment available. I'm not saying any of this will pay too well, but it's something!

Welcome and best of luck to you!

Yes but she won't be able to get a work visa for that.  The Bunac visa is ideal for that sort of work but that is only if you are a recent graduate.

Yes but she won't be able to get a work visa for that.  The Bunac visa is ideal for that sort of work but that is only if you are a recent graduate.

She might...

http://www.allianceabroad.com/ob/work/england_01.htm

Yes but she won't be able to get a work visa for that.  The Bunac visa is ideal for that sort of work but that is only if you are a recent graduate.

Oops, I didn't know that. Are you a recent graduate, Learner??

She might...

http://www.allianceabroad.com/ob/work/england_01.htm

What exactly is that?? I notice it says Must qualify for receiving a work visa to England what do they mean by that?   

What exactly is that?? I notice it says Must qualify for receiving a work visa to England what do they mean by that?   

I'm not sure... it's just a link I saw somewhere else. It's nothing I ever needed to look into but there's a section on there to fill out a form for more information so I thought I'd put it up there if Learner wanted to fill it out and see if she qualifies.

It could very well be that BUNAC thing... I don't know. I was just providing the link so they could look into it further if they were interested.

Britwife,

I found another similar program that does say you need to be a full-time student or recent graduate so I would think, chances are, the other one does as well.

http://www.culturalembrace.com/3211382_24622.htm

That would make sense. 

Where are you studying Welsh, learner?  There are a few Welsh schools in the US, one or more of them might have an exchange program of some kind, which would then qualify you for a student visa where you could work 20 hrs a week.  Something to look into, anyway.

And I've been wanting to learn Welsh for years now, but can't find a good way to do it...there's very little in the way of "teach yourself" materials out there.

Oh, you wannabe Welsh speakers should totally read this book!!: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/000655010X/qid=1124733695/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-1714308-7519956?v=glance&s=books

It's so good!! It's a true account of an American woman who learns to speak Welsh and then travels all over the world seeking out Welsh-speaking communities. It's awesome!!

I'm studying in short spurts. There is an American group that does a week-long class every summer, and I've done about one half off one year of the WLPAN in a 2-month intensive class at Cardiff University. I'd make better progress if I could live in a Welsh-speaking environment for a while.(Or at least partially Welsh-speaking environment. I know that even in the most Welsh-speaking areas, plenty off people do not speak Welsh.) I am not a recent gradate -- that was a long time ago! I'm closing in on 50 years old.