21/03/2011

Student / Graduate Gap Year Work Experience Abroad

BUNAC offers a number of gap year work and volunteer abroad programmes to choose from, all over the world. But what makes Work America and KAMP USA such great options for students? Well, in true revision guide style, here’s a nice, easy list of ‘key points’:..

1. Exclusively for students
This means that if you’re pondering over whether to do the programme now or later, or whether to even do it at all, the decision is almost made for you. Students and immediate graduates are eligible for the programmes, but once they’re out in the big, wide world, the opportunity is gone!

2. Earn money
Any student who’s ever built up the courage to calculate how much a big night out, shopping spree or, indeed, a single lecture has set them back might feel inclined to start mending the hole that a year at uni has burnt in the wallet. Work in the USA on Work America or KAMP USA and you can take the first step to replenishing your bank account.

3. Boost your CV
Lots of grads, not many jobs. You’ve probably heard it all before. Boring, but true.

A little bit about Work America, KAMP USA and a few other BUNAC programmes…

Work America

This is your opportunity to work in the USA for up to 4 months. Once you are on the programme you will have access to BUNAC’s Job Directory, which advertises jobs all over the States and is regularly updated. These tend to be seasonal jobs, such as working in hospitality, at a theme park, in a restaurant or at a country club, and you’ll be able to start applying for them as soon as you register with BUNAC. The Job Directory is a useful additional tool while you are job hunting, and many of the employers also offer opportunities for accommodation. Students looking for something career-related tend to work in a seasonal position and find an internship or work experience role that they can work in around it. We strongly recommend that these participants pre-arrange work experience or an internship by emailing companies from the UK. However, our office in New York will help participants find work or accommodation if they have been unable to do so from the UK.

KAMP USA

Work in the day-to-day running of a summer camp in the USA. This could involve working in the cafeteria, office, tuck shop, in maintenance or on the gate. While there will be opportunities for interaction with the kids on camp, you’ll be working closely with other students, so there’s great camaraderie. Accommodation and food is included and you’ll also have access to the camps’ great sports and activities facilities. Participants leave the 9 week camps $1350 better off, and are then permitted to travel anywhere in the USA for up to a month on the tourist visa.

Other work and volunteer programmes

Only students are eligible for KAMP USA and Work America. However, BUNAC offers a number of other programmes that you can take part in at (almost) any stage in your life. With work programmes in Canada, New Zealand and Australia and an abundance of volunteering opportunities in the USA, South America, Asia and Africa, there are plenty of options to choose from when planning a summer abroad or a year out.

With summer fast approaching, the clock is ticking to book onto Work America and KAMP USA. But once it’s done, it’s done – leaving you with plenty of time to join the legions of students marching out to buy see-through pencil cases, staying up late staring at colour-coded mind maps, covering bedroom walls with buzzwords written on post-it notes and mindlessly reciting dates, facts and figures throughout their daily business.

To find out more about Gap Year Work and Travel Programs Abroad with BUNAC please call 020 7251 3472 or e-mail: traveladvice@bunac.org.uk.

Browse Gap Year 365 Working Abroad Opportunities: Gap Year Jobs Abroad / Student Gap Year Work Abroad / Gap Year Working Holiday Jobs / Gap Year Internships Abroad / Gap Year Work Placements Abroad