Juanita Said:

Need Help and information on work placements in America!?

We Answered:

Unfortunately no U.S. visa actually allow you do this and there is no working holiday visa for the United States.

All work related visas including the J-classification visas require you to have a sponsor before you can apply and as you only plan to stay for a month, no company is going to willing to go through the lengthy process nor pay the expense for doing so.

There are only two options available to you, the first one is to come on the visa-waiver program (vwp), if you are eligible to do so. This allows you to enter the United States for 90 days without a visa but you would not be allowed to work.You can read more about the vwp on the website below.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/vis…

The second option is to go through an organization such as BUNAC or Camp America. These organizations offer working holiday programs in the United States, Canada and various other countries. Programs can last between five weeks and 2 years.

I would certainly recommend the second option if you really want to work and experience something a little different from a normal tourist holiday. It is great fun but lots of hard work and you will have some incredible experiences. The organizations set everything up for you and give you all of the paperwork you need for the visa (J-1).

Below are the websites for both BUNAC and Camp America.

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

Christian Said:

Has anyone done a gap year placement/ been travelling long term?

We Answered:

I went on a gap year placement in 2004, with the charity Raleigh International. I spent three months doing voluntary work in Namibia. I think it's brilliant you want to do something like that - it really changes your life.

You can never start too early with planning. First of all, there's the cost of flights out there. I assume you're going with a charity/organisation of some sort, so you need to find out if they provide a place for you to stay. If they don't, you need to consider that.

You also need to get inoculations (which also cost a lot). I'd suggest you visit your local clinic as soon as possible - countries like Africa and South America tend to require a lot of inoculations (I must have had about nine before I could get on a plane). You also need to find out if you need to take any medication with you (like for parts of Africa, you need malaria tablets). In this case, taking your own First Aid kit is a good idea as well. Insurance of your belongings is another thing to consider.

One website I would recommend is the Nomad Adventure Travel Store at http://www.nomadtravel.co.uk

They sell a lot of useful stuff if you're planning to travel abroad (& even if you're not), and they have a useful section on charities/organisations that work abroad (which you can also contact). They also offer advice on travel health & equipment.

Alexander Said:

Can individuals get grant money for doing volunteer work during a gap year?

We Answered:

There is a book in your local library called Grants for Individuals in Need. You may find something in there, but as you say, this is your personal development and most people work and save up to do it.

Raul Said:

working gap year in the UK?

We Answered:

I don't think many places offer a pre uni internship, and not one that lasts long. Many big companies do offer training years that you can do during a uni course between year 2 and 3.

These internships are just as hard to get onto with just as much competition as getting a real job though