[DamMac]

I'll be graduating from university in a months time, and I'm just trying to weigh up my options for the next year or so. I feel like I've had enough of education (I declined a masters offer), and I don't want to get straight into a career in the UK, as I feel I may never get the same opportunity to experience living and working in another country, whilst I have limited ties to the UK.

I'm seriously considering having a year or so away from the UK, in order to get plenty of work experience in my field (as I currently don't have any experience). I have sufficient funds to go abroad / travelling, and would aim to get additional funds working in the UK before I go. I would aim to leave the country January or February 2013, which gives me a while to decide yet.

My ideal plan would be:
Spend a year in the USA, completing an internship at a company for 12 months, through BUNAC's Internship USA programme. The difficultly with this plan, is that you have to find an internship yourself, which I have a feeling will be a very difficult process. It would also be the only opportunity for me to experience working in the USA, as you can only undertake the programme up to a year after you graduate.

A second year in Australia with the Working Holiday Visa, gaining work experience from two companies whilst out there.

Of course, I'd hope to do a bit of travelling around too.

I realise that some options (eg. Australia) will be easier to realise than the year abroad in America, as you have to have a specific visa acquired for the particular job before you go (the hard part), compared to the easier process of the Australian visa. So I understand that I may only be able to do one or the other.

I just feel that experiencing life abroad in two countries, will be something I look back on and be happy that I did... rather than coming straight out of university, and into a job in the UK... and wishing in 10 years or so time, that I'd taken the opportunity.

It will be a tough decision to make, as I have a feeling my boyfriend won't be too impressed, and that he wouldn't want to be away from his family for that long if he did decide to come with me. Not only that, but myself being away from my family and friends, money being spent on life abroad rather than building a life in the UK (later getting a house etc when I return), so a lot of things need to be taken into consideration.

I'm just wondering what you all think of my current plan?

Or if you have any tips on finding internships and placements in the USA or Australia?

Any advice is much appreciated.

[tpxvs]

I'd say go for it - especially if you'd regret not taking this opportunity later on! Think about it, when else will you be able to? You'll probably start thinking about settling down, saving for a house, kids etc and have far too many responsibilities to just get up and go. Sorry I dont have any specific info. As cheesy as it sounds - follow your heart.

[liv89]

I have just had a gap year after finishing uni and it was a great experience, so I encourage you to go out and explore the world before being tied down by responsibilities, family, mortgage etc.