Gap Year

[Linz_1987]

Hiya people!

Was wondering if any one of you have experienced doing a Gap year? It is one of my dreams to take a gap year working in the US but im finding it hard to find information about it, and I didnt realise it would be this hard to do it!

Ive found loadz of sites about camps and stuff, but I want to do a gap year completely on my own.

I dont know how to go about it, because it must be really expencive having to live somewhere without a job on your shoulders, and it might take months to find a job.

I hope I get somewhere with it because its always been my dream to do! Its numberone on my 100 things to do before you die list!

 

[SOOOSKA]

Hi, here's a dumb question. What's a GAP year? I've never heard that expression before.

Soooska:apollo:

 

[Linz_1987]

Lol, thats ok. Its like taking a year out and going abroad or somewhere different and working there and stuff.

Leaving everything behind in your home country for a year and having a fantastic time abroad!

 

[maherwoman]

What kinds of things did you want to do while in the US? Maybe we American members can help you find out how to do this?

 

[Linz_1987]

Well my interests are in catering, or in animals.

I would like to work in a hotel or a restaurant waitressing and things, but I am also interested in working with animals like horses.

Although I cant ride horses, I am very knowledgable about them and spent my childhood helping out at a riding school and learnt an awful lot about horses. My sister has also got a horse and I help out with her sometimes.

I have qualifications from the catering side, so Im thinking maybe that choice would be better. Although I enjoy both.

 

[pamnock]

The US Information Agencyhas sponsoredsome work programs. Try contacting them for more info http://usinfo.state.gov/

Pam

 

[m.e.]

While I didn't do anything formal with my Gap Year, I think one of the best things I ever did was to take a year off between high school and college

 

[Linz_1987]

Thank you for the website Pam! Ive been looking at the 'Temporary Visa's' section and looks very complicated!

Im not sure what to say to them if I contact them :?:imstupid

Please help! lol

 

[pamnock]

Just tell them that you are a studentdeferring college for a year and would like info on coming to the US for a work program.

Pam

 

[Linz_1987]

Hmmm, how doI contact them?

I cant seem to find an adress anywhere on the site you gave me.


Agh never mind, ive found it. Durr! It says 'contact us' right at the bottom of the page in tiddly writing.

 

[pamnock]

Here's their National Contact Center. http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/call/ncc.htm

Hopefully someone there will be able to point you in the right direction. (I would call them rather than email).



Pam

 

[pamnock]

Here a site that looks like it might have some good info:

http://www.bunac.org.uk/

 

[Linz_1987]

Opps I just emailed them from the other website.

 

[Linz_1987]

pamnock wrote:

Here a site that looks like it might have some good info:

http://www.bunac.org.uk/

Aren't they all camps and stuff you can go on? Im not sure if I want to stay at a camp, I want to be completely on my own. I was looking at them websites before.

 

[pamnock]

Some of the programs are camps, but they also have the "Work America Program" that you can request more info on.

Here's another site with info

http://www.onesmallplanet.com/geninfo.htm

If you want to do it completely on your own, then you just need to get your visa and start job hunting

Pam

 

[Linz_1987]

If I want to do a gap year in 2 years time can I get my visa now? I have been looking into visa's and all I need is a temporary visa, but if I get one now it might run out in a year, cos its temporary?

Is it easy to get a visa?


Also can anyone suggest where abouts in America to go? lol. Im looking for somewhere with lots of restaurants but also country side aswell.Im not really a city person. Also I wouldnt have a car so somewhere I can use public transport.

I was going to go on my own, but I have been thinking about it and I dont think I could go a year without being with my fiance. So he said he would be willing to tag along too. I suppose its harder to sort 2 people out with jobs. He is into computers so will need a job to do with them.(so need to go somewhere with computer jobs too)Going to be a real challenge but I hope worth it.

Im going todo2 more years at college and then go after that, so two years of saving fromboth of us should do it (key word SHOULD) I cant wait

 

[pamnock]

This site has a lot of info:

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-beforevisa.html

 

[HoneyPot]

Hey - don't know if you have seen this link yet:

http://www.bunac.org/uk/gap/default.aspx

Edit: I noticed on this site that the US program is 8-10 weeks at a camp like you said, but the Canadian program is 12 months doing whatever you like... might be something to consider- not sure if it is easier to get a work permit to Canada seeing that it used to be a British colony...

And Canada is GREAT!! :elephantI may be biased though)

____________
Nadia

 

[pamnock]

Hey - We used to be a British Colony also LOL

Pam

 

[HoneyPot]

LOL - true true... maybe what I should say is

We still have the queen on our money.

hee.

___________
Nadia