Mind the Gap with Bunac - Gap Year Guide

If you ’re looking to make your year out the best ever, at some stage you’ll probably find yourself sifting through a minefield of information.What ’s the best thing to do? How will it have a real impact on your future? If you’re looking to spend time overseas, you might be wondering how to obtain a visa, where should you work and more importantly, how will you survive?

First thing: don’t panic! BUNAC is a non-profit, student-based members’ Club and has been operating a wide range of working holidays overseas for Gap Year students for 40 years now. Taking part in a BUNAC work and travel programme enables you to enjoy a working adventure of a lifetime to some of the farthest and most exciting destinations in the world – and benefit from the expertise and know-how of BUNAC as you go. So whether you want to paint the Big Apple red in the good old US of ‘A’, have a barbie in the baking Aussie heat or scoot up Canada’s CN Tower, BUNAC has the answer.So what are the benefits of going with BUNAC on a gap year? Taking a year out after your exams or while at university can give you a much needed break from studying, a chance to refresh yourself and do something totally different and constructive with your time. It also allows you to develop an even greater sense of independence and motivation which shouts out to potential employers that you’re a well-rounded individual who’s worth hiring. For many, it’s also a fun and memorable way to take time out and for some programmes, taking part is only possible while you’re a student.

What’s Available?

With BUNAC, you can choose to take the full year out on the year-long Work Canada, Gap Canada, Work Australia or Work New Zealand programmes, taking any job, anywhere in the country to finance the trip. Alternatively, BUNAC’s summer programmes may be ideal for those looking to spend just a part of their gap year overseas. On Work America, you can take any job, anywhere in the US over the summer or work as a children’s counsellor on a North America summer camp on Summer Camp USA, BUNAC’s popular camp counselling programme. The Kitchen and Maintenance Programme (KAMP) is a popular option for those wishing to work behind the scenes on camp. For those looking to get one step ahead on the career ladder, the Overseas Practical Training Programme (OPT USA) allows students aged 19 and over to spend between 3-18 months in the US gaining more specific career-related training at a host organisation of their choice. Alternatively, if you’re looking to do something totally different, on Volunteer Costa Rica, BUNACs newest programme, you have a unique opportunity to contribute to a short-term voluntary project and the chance to explore more of Central America while you’re there.

Why go with BUNAC?

Unlike independent travel, organising a working holiday with BUNAC guarantees you help and advice at every stage of the application procedure from processing the visa to arranging the flight. As well as support services from BUNAC in the UK, participants can look forward to a network of advice from the BUNAC office in the USA, its subsidiary organisations in Australia and New Zealand and its co-operators worldwide. In the UK, club members can enjoy exclusive membership benefits including travel offers and special discounts. Programme applicants can also take advantage of the various BUNAC publications ranging from regular newsletters to job listings, travel guides and handbooks including BUNAC’s very own Moneywise Guide to North America.

For further information on BUNAC ’s full range of Gap Year opportunities, visit www.bunac.org