BUNAC???

You can cash traveller's checks at any post office with no fee.  If you are a AAA member you can get traveller's checks in pounds sterling so you don't have to convert them.

I have used the AAA traveller's card.  Like an ATM card that you can use in any ATM, but not tied to your bank account, so less worry and canbe replaced in 24 hours if stolen.  You do get charged for using it, so it is better to take out large amounts than a bunch of little ones. 

Thank you very much.   

You guys are beyond informative.  I'm sure I'll have a bunch of other questions for you all before I depart.

Reading through my BUNAC handbook, it says 25% of participants prearrange a job before they depart for Britain.  I'm not sure how accurate that percentage is (I've heard anywhere from 'very' to 'greatly' exaggerated), but since I'm sure someone has prearranged a job before, I was wondering how you go about doing this.  Do you just e-mail your CV to a bunch of prospective employers?  Is interviewing handled over the phone?  Also, what types of jobs can you prearrange before departure?  I know these probably sound like silly, 'duh' questions, but the handbook doesn't give much information on it.  Plus, if I can already have a job squared away, that'll give me one less thing to stress about once I get there.

I arranged my job before I had even heard of Bunac. I had done an internship after my Sophomore year of college at a company in New York. Since I was spending my Junior year in London, I was hoping to arrange to do an internship in the London office the following summer. I contacted somebody that I knew in the London office, and asked if I could intern there. They said it was no problem, but that I would have to get a visa, and they suggested Bunac since I was a student, and they were familiar with the program.

I know that doesn't necessarily help you, but I just wanted to give an example of the type of situation that might be making up that 25% (if it is indeed true). I knew a few people who were doing Bunac who had similar arrangements.

I would definitely start to research prospective employers and/or agencies that you want to approach. I would think it might be hard to get too far with out an in-person interview, but there's no harm in trying.

Thank you, Kate. 


Yeah, a couple of people I talked to elsewhere said they did internships as well.  Someone even said she wouldn't be surprised if that "25%" was nothing but people who came over to intern.  I guess I could look into that.  I'm a social work student, and with social work being a shortage field, there ought to be something I can prearrange.  Here's to hope...

I arranged my job before I had even heard of Bunac. I had done an internship after my Sophomore year of college at a company in New York. Since I was spending my Junior year in London, I was hoping to arrange to do an internship in the London office the following summer. I contacted somebody that I knew in the London office, and asked if I could intern there. They said it was no problem, but that I would have to get a visa, and they suggested Bunac since I was a student, and they were familiar with the program.

I know that doesn't necessarily help you, but I just wanted to give an example of the type of situation that might be making up that 25% (if it is indeed true). I knew a few people who were doing Bunac who had similar arrangements.

I would definitely start to research prospective employers and/or agencies that you want to approach. I would think it might be hard to get too far with out an in-person interview, but there's no harm in trying.

I tried to pre-arrange a job, but that didn't happen. I found a "temp" job through an agency...and they ended up keeping  me on the entire time I was there.

No problem Gyladene.

I think there's a tread somewhere on the jobs board that discusses social work vacancies and agencies. You might get some good advice looking at that, or posting there since I know there are some Social Workers on the board.

Yeah, I've been visiting the social work forum for a while now.  I think they said people who are still going to school can be social work assistants, but I'll have to do a little more research.  I won't be there the full six months (at least not this time), so I don't know if I'll be able to score anything career level.

I'll gladly take a simple desk job.  The only thing I absolutely do not want to do is wait tables or work retail.  I've had enough of that here in the States.   

Thanks for the heads up about the temp agencies.  I'll probably just go that route.

This may be a longshot, but I'm going to ask anyway:

I'll be staying in the London BUNAC hostel for at least a week when I head over this summer. I was just wondering if those of you who have stayed in the hostel before could give me any details on what it's like. How are the bedrooms? The beds? The bathrooms? The curfew (if there is one)? Kitchen? Was it really loud, rowdy, and chaotic or is the atmosphere calm and mellow? If I bring my laptop, do I have to worry about it being stolen from the room while I'm out? I've already had input from a couple of people, but I'm wanting to hear as many accounts/testimonials/rants/raves as I can.

Also, because I'm only going to be there three months, would you recommend staying at the hostel for the entire trip? Or should I try to find a single room somewhere in the city? I'm a little torn because while I'm a pretty private, quiet person, you simply cannot beat 95 pounds a week in central London. Not that I'm aware of, anyway...

This may be a longshot, but I'm going to ask anyway:

I'll be staying in the London BUNAC hostel for at least a week when I head over this summer. I was just wondering if those of you who have stayed in the hostel before could give me any details on what it's like. How are the bedrooms? The beds? The bathrooms? The curfew (if there is one)? Kitchen? Was it really loud, rowdy, and chaotic or is the atmosphere calm and mellow? If I bring my laptop, do I have to worry about it being stolen from the room while I'm out? I've already had input from a couple of people, but I'm wanting to hear as many accounts/testimonials/rants/raves as I can.

Also, because I'm only going to be there three months, would you recommend staying at the hostel for the entire trip? Or should I try to find a single room somewhere in the city? I'm a little torn because while I'm a pretty private, quiet person, you simply cannot beat 95 pounds a week in central London. Not that I'm aware of, anyway...

I met a few people through Bunac, while on Bunac. Although I was staying with my boyfriend and his family, through Manpower(located in central london, forgot the branch...but maybe Holborn) I made some friends and I heard a little bit about their time. The hostels seem alright and it worked for them. I think there was one time(I heard) that a random got in the building that wasnt suppose to be there, so be wary of your belongings.

I would suggest signing up with Manpower in central, as the jobs seem to be a bit cooler and better paying(from my personal experience...could be different for others).

~Jen

Thanks for the input, Jen!   

I will definitely look into Manpower.  As long as I can find a good job that doesn't involve customers (retail, hotels, restaurants, etc), then I'm good.

I was just looking at gumtree.com, and I see people have single rooms for share for less than the hostel!  So maybe I won't be stuck in the BUNAC hostel all summer afterall...

Is that you and your fiancé in your avatar?  You guys look so cute! 

Thanks for the input, Jen!   

I will definitely look into Manpower.  As long as I can find a good job that doesn't involve customers (retail, hotels, restaurants, etc), then I'm good.

I was just looking at gumtree.com, and I see people have single rooms for share for less than the hostel!  So maybe I won't be stuck in the BUNAC hostel all summer afterall...

Is that you and your fiancé in your avatar?  You guys look so cute! 

Yea...with Manpower, I ended up doing telesales for a breast cancer walk, which was really good(potentially helped to raise £85,000, with people signing up)...and tea and coffee girl at a barristers chambers(very posh)....equally very cool, if not cooler!;-)

Good luck with your room search! When do you plan on hopping across the pond?

And yes, it is my fiance and I in the avatar. We really are a pair of sillies! It's all good.:-p

Yea...with Manpower, I ended up doing telesales for a breast cancer walk, which was really good(potentially helped to raise £85,000, with people signing up)...and tea and coffee girl at a barristers chambers(very posh)....equally very cool, if not cooler!;-)

Good luck with your room search! When do you plan on hopping across the pond?

And yes, it is my fiance and I in the avatar. We really are a pair of sillies! It's all good.:-p

Not too shabby!  Especially the work for the breast cancer walk.  I'm always for working for  a good cause. 

I'm heading out in May!  I'm still in school, so I'll only be able to stay for the summer.  But I'll definitely apply again and take advantage of the full six months once I graduate.

I am a BUNAC alumni if anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

I am a BUNAC alumni if anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

Just a silly random question - what did you did once you managed to make it from the airport and check into your room?   

I guess "take a nap" goes without saying.  But after that?  London is just so massive that I already know I won't know what to do with myself once I check in.

Also, as someone who is bring just a little over £1000, I hope I don't find myself on the streets before I find a job.  Granted, I don't eat out at restaurants and I don't drink, so I think I'll be good.  At least for a couple of weeks.