The Lure of Living Abroad
I have been reading quite a few blogs lately, either from expats or from families who travel extensively or of people wanting to become expats.
I love this sort of thing. The rush of doing something new and different. The challenge of pushing yourself and your boundaries. The excitement of constant new surroundings and of meeting new people and eating new foods and being outside of your comfort zone.
It always makes me want to start packing my own bags! But, since that won’t be happening for a while for this fly away family, I have decided to blog about living/working/travel overseas instead. I will have several travel posts coming over the next weeks.
So this post is about how I was able to live and work in a country outside of the U.S. How, after I graduated from graduate school, I was able to move to Edinburgh, Scotland.
It was super easy to do this. And, if you are American, between the ages of 18 and 30 and have graduated high school (with no dependent children), you can do it too!
You can apply for a working visa through BUNAC (British Universities North American Club).
Through BUNAC, you can work in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, France, Ireland or Canada. You can also do volunteer work in Cambodia, Peru and South Africa. Each country has an agreement with the US and a maximum limit on how many months you can work, ranging from 3 months to 12 months. Also, the age requirements vary as well. For example, if you are over 30, but not over 35, you can still work in New Zealand!
You pay a fee for BUNCAC to acquire a working visa for you, and for other support resources (for both before and after you arrive where you are going). Each country’s program has specific savings requirements and other recommendations, so be sure to read about each one to see which might suit you best.
I just read that the Work in Britain program is currently closed. They are in negotiations to hopefully get another one going sometime this year. So, if you are interested in Britain, keep checking the BUNAC site for updates. This is sad to me since that is the program I participated in when I lived in Edinburgh. I’ve written about that move before and how it was one of the best choices I have ever made to spend my money and time.
I will write soon about what happened after I arrived in London, by myself, in a foreign country for the first time, and how I found work and a place to live.
Would you be interested in living in another country? Or maybe you have?
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05/15/2009 | Living/Working Abroad, Travel.
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May 15th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Haha, I clicked on this post on my reader to come comment even before I realized you had linked!
First, thanks for the love!
Second, I feel you. As we get closer and closer to leaving, I find myself scouring the web for other sites of people who’ve been there done that. Each day the excitement builds. I appreciate all the help you’ve given us, specifically. We might need even more once we arrive!
May 15th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Yeah, no worries. I like following your adventure.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I would love to live in France… it’s been my latest interest. I’ve been looking up the VISAs and stuff… I wish it wasn’t so difficult to move to another country.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:49 am
I was lucky enough to spend a couple of months in Sardinia Italy for a couple of months. I was able to get away and live with free room and board because I stayed with my now husband. I had planned on returning and eventually moving there for a extended period to stat but life had other plans, namely our soon to be little bundle. But if you can the chance to do it, even if it is just as a visitor – do it. There are plenty of frugal ways to get away, the biggest expense is the airfare and if you are smart you can definitely save. I save over $400 on my airfare by agreeing to fly on new years eve. And I watched ticket prices like a hawk, but as always you have to be careful not to buy too early or too late. We plan on returning for a visit in the summer to visit and I wouldnt be surprised if one day we made the decision to move.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Yes, they definitely don’t make it easy! Well, it’s mostly because the US doesn’t have reciprocal agreements with other countries (except for short stays for those under 30, like through BUNAC). I don’t know why…fear that people might immigrate here? (heaven forbid!) Sadly, all it does is hinder Americans from a wonderful experience and becoming more worldly citizens.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I agree that everyone should do it sometime if they are able, if it’s something they want to do. And no, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. I will have to write more on how to do this on the cheap, because there are LOTS of ways. And yes, there are lots of ways to save on airfare. I also wrote about what we do to save on our flights.
That’s lovely that you were able to spend time in Italy. I love it there. Cinque Terre is one of my fave areas.
May 16th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Thanks for the shout out! I wish I would have been as enthusiastic about living abroad as you are, but now that we’re settled here I really am enjoying it. I think this expat thing would have been at least a little easier if Australia wasn’t soooo far away!
May 16th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Hey FL Girl, I also was at a different time in my life, which I’m sure makes a difference. I worked hard to get there (which I will post about soon). I was attached, but had no children. I worked, so made friends easily. I also traveled around Australia for four months (without my hubby, but it was a great time still).
I think if we moved back now, it would be quite different. Though, I’ve told my husband that I would go if that’s what he wants. We’ve been back in the states now for 7 years, so I’ve left it up to him what to do next. It would be hard to leave, but mostly because I know how sad my parents would be to be away from my boys.
May 18th, 2009 at 3:32 am
I always loved the idea of moving somewhere but never EVER thought I could do it. I never wanted to be far from my family. However, once I fell in love and moved to Australia, I realized that I really CAN do this whole expat thing! I sometimes wish I would have lived in other places too before I moved here. Would have been a great experience, but now since we’re pretty much settled, I will have to just rely on lots of travel to get me by!
May 18th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Elsja, there are SO many amazing places to explore in and around Australia that it could keep you busy for a while! Have fun with it!