BUNAC Work Canada

Hey,

I'm thinking of applying to go in 2012.

From what I understand, applications re-open in Mid-January, so I'm trying to save up money at the moment and then will have a proper look nearer the time.

Sounds pretty great though. This thread is really helpful!

No probs, it's a good way to get money while you look for something better. Do you have regular shifts and your own corner?

I'm up for a meet on Thursday. When/ where?

I'll put a suggestion forward- Wide Open (139A Spadina Avenue) at 8. Although if people don't reply in time we might have to make it a different day...

It's already been postponed a week for that very reason!

I'll be there.

OK, then it's on!

I'll leave my mobile number here (canadian one) in case people read this entry and want to come along, or people can't find the bar or whatever.

My number's 647-781-4078 and my name's Becky. And if you get to the bar and don't know who to say hi to, I'm the one with curly-ish ginger hair.

Did you get back okay? Next time you karaoke!

...

Anyone want to go out tomorrow? I'm going downtown, might stop by the Canadiana even though i'm not staying there, or drinks if people are up for it.



How did your trip to Blue Mountain go? Would you recommend it as a place to go as a trip from Toronto? (Can't believe I met you by chance, and got recognized off the internet lol)

Hey there,

I'm looking at apply for this next year... Just wondering what sort of places you're living in and how much is it costing you?

I'm flying to Toronto on the 3rd December, and I have a job at Blue Moutain for the winter which starts on the 5th. I'll bookmark this thread as it has some useful information and maybe I'll actually get round to meeting some of you in person!

My flight cost £229, with Air Transat, and was the cheapest I could find. I'm looking at insurance now and the cheapest so far has been £124.44 from essentialtravel.co.uk. This is for a year and I haven't an indepth look at their policy wording yet. After getting the insurance I'll begin looking at hostels / hotels.

And I'm planning to take a small suitcase instead of a rucksack as I've been told the latter are heavy to carry around.

I'm flying to Toronto on the 3rd December, and I have a job at Blue Moutain for the winter which starts on the 5th. I'll bookmark this thread as it has some useful information and maybe I'll actually get round to meeting some of you in person!

My flight cost £229, with Air Transat, and was the cheapest I could find. I'm looking at insurance now and the cheapest so far has been £124.44 from essentialtravel.co.uk. This is for a year and I haven't an indepth look at their policy wording yet. After getting the insurance I'll begin looking at hostels / hotels.

And I'm planning to take a small suitcase instead of a rucksack as I've been told the latter are heavy to carry around.

Where you looking to go? I'm staying in a (furnished) basement of someones house, costing $600/month all in, but prices vary depending on the city. I found it on Kijiji, and craigslist is also a good place to look. If you go for you're own apartment through an agency then you'll most likely have to sign a 1 year lease, and possibly provide references so most people find the classifieds are the way to go! Lots of people meet in hostels and then team up to share a house between them, which I think gets the best value.

Thanks for your help. I looked closer at essentialtravel.co.uk and I found they don't cover winter sports (though someone else may find it good value for money). At the moment ace travel insurance is the cheapest I've found.

I'll be staying in a hostel / hotel for the first 2 nights then the plan is Blue Mountain will pick me up from downtown Toronto. I've heard good things about Canadiana and HI (mostly from this thread!)

I wish I hadn't gone through BUNAC, which was £254 I didn't have to pay. This is the first year you can apply directly to the canadian embassy (indeed, you have to - you can no longer apply through BUNAC). Though they have been useful a few times when I've had questions, about how to fill in the application for example.

How long have you two been in Canada for? What jobs have you done over there so far?

Ok cool, thanks for that. I think I'd be heading to Toronto and would definitely want a houseshare/flatshare.


Also, can anyone please tell me what is needed to complete the visa application? Do I need apply for criminal check around now to submit with it? Thanks.

When something sounds too good to be true it often is, unfortunately. i went with Ace too after seeing it recommended here, it's also mentioned often on facebook, so it's widely used. No idea what claiming is like, had a few close calls but fortunately haven't had to claim yet.

Canadiana is full of people with WHVs, so it's good for meeting people, I've probably checked in there more than anyone in the history of the world, and it was nice seeing the same old faces! HI's more like a typical hostel with people staying a few days before moving on to the next place.

I didn't know Blue Mountain picked people up from downtown, I thought you had to make your own way up. I spoke to them at a job fair thing, but they never got back to me . It's fine though, after handing out newspapers, I got an amazing weekend job over the autumn months and what on paper looks like a semi decent full time, degree relevant job. It's out in the suburbs though which are pretty boring.

I regret going through BUNAC too. I use the SWAP service because I've paid for it but i'm sure i'd manage just fine without it. Went to my first event organised by them at the weekend, and maybe only 8/10 people were at it which surprised me.



I've heard the scheme has changed yet again (so I'll need to check aswell so I can stay another year). Last year you had to have a criminal check, I'd presume you'd need one again this year, and it takes a couple of weeks, so now would be a good time to get it. You also need a passport photo signed by a responsible person. Think that's all you needed in advance. Oh and money in you're bank account. Once released the forms are all pretty straightforward.

Only for the permit itself. They have finally seen sense and for the 2012 you're required to show proof of funds at the port of entry now with a bank statement issued maximum a week before you leave. As far as I understand you no longer need to have the $2500 at the time of application With this in mind I expect it could result in a quicker uptake in applications