BUNAC???

Does anyone know anything about the bunac program? Are they a trustworthy organization? Has anyone traveled/worked through them?

YES!  They are wonderful!  I did that a while back, and loved it.  For me, it was a chance at spending more time with my Brti guy to decide if we were going to continue on with a relationship (we decided that we were...).

I was very nervous about sending $$ off to some company I'd never heard of, but talked to someone else who had done it with luck.  I had a grea experience with it, and everyone else I know did as well.  I was "older" being 29 at the start of my 6 months, so I did not hang out with the other Bunac-ers, but they did a lot of travel and pub meets together.  Some of them even shared flats and became very close.

Go for it, is what I say.  And with luck, you may find a job that will then sponsor you for a further visa.

BUNAC are VERY well established, they have been around for 30 years or more, you can feel safe with them.

I did BUNAC in 1998 and LOVE it!  That's how I got to England in the first place, and met my husband!  I thought that was the best programme for young adults to go and travel the world.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

I also did the Bunac programme in 2001.  Again, it gave me a chance to get to know my husband before we got married.  I got all my information though my University and can honestly say that I never had any doubts.  (Perhaps I am too trusting  )  I spent my time in Glasgow and didn't meet any other Bunac people, except at the mandatory induction in Edinburgh.

OH I LOVE BUNAC!!

I went in 2002 and that's how I met my husband.  They are very helpful and I certainly recommend them.

Trisha

I can't believe no one told me about this program earlier! This will be my third trip to England (I spent a month this past summer and two weeks the summer before that). I'm really excited, but my parent's are less than thrilled about me going.     I can't wait to leave. (I didn't want to come home this summer.) My parent's are trying their hardest to make think this is a rip-off and make me feel guilty for leaving.

Oh man, this is in NO WAY a ripoff.  They don't really require any money and you only have to check in with them within 2 weeks after you've gotten there.  Then, you're almost free to do whatever you want!  You can work wherever you want, do what you like, it's brilliant!  Go for it!  And if you need any help, they're there to help you with anything.  It will help you really see what living in England is like.

They don't really require any money

How do they not require money? Isn't it $275 just to apply?

I can't remember how much money they charge for the work visa, but I remember it wasn't that much at all!  The only thing is, you need a sufficient amount to go into the UK just to show that you have enough to get you going.  I brought $3,000.00.

It's $275, and you have to have at least $1,000 in the bank when you go. I really want to do this, but my parents are dead set against it. I think they are worried I'm going to want to stay in England forever.   

Well, you are an adult.  As hard as it is at time to go against your parents wishes, sometimes you just have to.

I'm lucky, in that my folks have always been very supportive regardless of what us "kids" wanted to do (so long as it was legal...)

The way I see it is this.  Parents (should) raise thier children with the hope that the child grow to be HAPPY, HONEST, MORAL, ETHICAL...etc.  If your going to the UK for 6 months is what will make you happy, then they are selfish to stand in your way.  If they raised you well, they should trust your judgement and your decisions.  IF you decide to stay on "forever" at some future point, explain to your folks that it's what's best for YOU and that you will visit, they can visit...etc.

Don't skip this chance to please your folks...you very well may regret it later.  And who wants to sit around ten years from now thinking..."if only I had gotten a BUNAC"...

I agree with you Frances!  Luckily my parents were supportive of me, but I think I would have gone even if they were not.  It literally changed my life!  I met my husband there and I would never change that in a million years!  You've got to determin what's best for you.  As an adult, you are entitled to make your own decisions.  Your parents will get over being angry or sad or whatever.  If you don't go, you may regret it and become resentfull of your folks.

Just kindly tell them..."Mom, Dad, I've made my decision and I hope you'll be happy for me.  I'll send you post cards from England...BYE! 

  I mailed in my application today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    haven't told my family yet....    I agree with you guys, but I hate defying my parents like this. I'm happy that I'm going and they can just get over it.

I'm sure they will - I'm sure they realise you have to do your own thing sooner or later ... of course they don't want you to go, that's only natural - they'll come round in time.