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BUNAC Work Canada

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Reply 340
Glad to see you're enjoying it :smile:

I'm about to book my insurance. Who did you guys go with and how much did you end up paying?
Original post by BillyM
Glad to see you're enjoying it :smile:

I'm about to book my insurance. Who did you guys go with and how much did you end up paying?


My gf has gone with Karma... was something like £180 but looking at their website now, it appears they don't do a gap year trip policy anymore :frown:

Ace backpackers get floated around a lot
(edited 12 years ago)
Reply 342
Away tomorrow morning, not packed backpack, not booked accommodation...
Reply 343
Original post by BillyM
Away tomorrow morning, not packed backpack, not booked accommodation...



hehe, that's the way to do it :wink:. Just remember to bring warm things! I've been away for nearly three months and packed the day I left and didn't put enough warm stuff in as it's hot where I am at the moment.

I am off to Canada on Weds, nervous about finding a job but excited to finally get there.
Reply 344
Original post by shoegirl
hehe, that's the way to do it :wink:. Just remember to bring warm things! I've been away for nearly three months and packed the day I left and didn't put enough warm stuff in as it's hot where I am at the moment.

I am off to Canada on Weds, nervous about finding a job but excited to finally get there.


I'm quite tired, so I have to disagree. I wish the bag would just pack itself... I packed a fleece and 2 hoodies, that should be more than enough. If its not, oh well. Where are you staying when you get there? I'm going to look into HI hostel as Canadiana is booked up!

I'm surprisingly relaxed about travelling. Meh...
Reply 345
OMG it's ****ing freezing today! I was wearing 6 layers of clothes and was still cold.
Reply 346
Original post by BillyM
I'm quite tired, so I have to disagree. I wish the bag would just pack itself... I packed a fleece and 2 hoodies, that should be more than enough. If its not, oh well. Where are you staying when you get there? I'm going to look into HI hostel as Canadiana is booked up!

I'm surprisingly relaxed about travelling. Meh...


Honestly, the HI is better quality than the Canadiana. The internet's way faster, the location is a bit better, it has TV! and most of the reception people are British (Scottish to be precise). Tends to be more people passing through whereas Canadiana has working holiday people.

You'll probably be wearing those hoddies and fleece at the same time if you're outside for long. All part of the Canadian experience I guess!
Reply 347
HI is okay. A little expensive though. If they can't sort me out with that 2 week package (the CHEAPEST ONE!) then I may have to head to Canadiana or something. I kinda wish the internet was worse; i've never been in a hostel with so many people sat on their laptops or iphones, I actually didn't even both to try socialising with anybody until the pub crawl (which was good, and reasonably priced!).

Hows the job hunt? Recommend any agencies? I'm currently going through Monster.ca and craigslist and sending out the resume everywhere.
Reply 348
There's way more people on laptops at the Canadiana than at HI. Well it depends on the people, some nights the Canadiana is really sociable and friendly and other nights it's pretty silent. Fact that I've noticed that show I've been here too long.

I've found a place to live today, so shall be moving out on Tuesday. Figured I'd rather spend Thanksgiving in Toronto with other travelers than all by myself out in the suburbs. I can't wait to unpack and stop having a stupidly long commute.
Reply 349
Original post by BillyM
HI is okay. A little expensive though. If they can't sort me out with that 2 week package (the CHEAPEST ONE!) then I may have to head to Canadiana or something. I kinda wish the internet was worse; i've never been in a hostel with so many people sat on their laptops or iphones, I actually didn't even both to try socialising with anybody until the pub crawl (which was good, and reasonably priced!).

Hows the job hunt? Recommend any agencies? I'm currently going through Monster.ca and craigslist and sending out the resume everywhere.


What kind of work are you looking for?

Hays was highly recommended to me by several people. The company I'm at now use Robert Half and Randstad for temps if that helps.
Hiya.

I really want to apply for Work Canada but all the visas are gone for 2011.

Is anyone else wanting to apply with the hopes of going in 2012?
Reply 351
Original post by fiona344
What kind of work are you looking for?

Hays was highly recommended to me by several people. The company I'm at now use Robert Half and Randstad for temps if that helps.


Did you get the two week package at the HI? I want in on that 10 dorm two week offer! I might be there tomorrow night, going to give them a call tonight probably and ask them if they've moved it around and have space for me for a 2 week stay. Where do you work (no need for specifics if you don't want, just general area or duties)/move to? I'm in Oakville at the moment with a cousin - the suburbs are DEAD! And how much are you paying for rent? I presume its shared right?

I'm looking at the agencies you mentioned. I'm not too fussed about work - in reality I should be qualified to do well paid jobs, but with no experience it sounds like it's going to be tough! I've been looking through craigslist and applying for admin jobs, but only started doing that on friday.
Reply 352
Original post by BillyM
Did you get the two week package at the HI? I want in on that 10 dorm two week offer! I might be there tomorrow night, going to give them a call tonight probably and ask them if they've moved it around and have space for me for a 2 week stay. Where do you work (no need for specifics if you don't want, just general area or duties)/move to? I'm in Oakville at the moment with a cousin - the suburbs are DEAD! And how much are you paying for rent? I presume its shared right?

I'm looking at the agencies you mentioned. I'm not too fussed about work - in reality I should be qualified to do well paid jobs, but with no experience it sounds like it's going to be tough! I've been looking through craigslist and applying for admin jobs, but only started doing that on friday.


Are you in Canada now? I move into my new place tomorrow, which is the basement of some woman and her son's house tomorrow. I have my own room, bathroom, fridge and microwave which is nice. I'd prefer to be with other young professionals, but the commute was killing me so 1 bus ride rather than that bus, slow train, bus won out.
I was only at the HI for a week or so, might go back for Sat nights cos I don't want to give up my weekend job and I finish too late to get the last train back. i stayed in a 10 bed dorm 9cos it was cheapest) and it was totally fine, didn't feel crowded and I got to know everyone there.

I'm working as a finance assistant during the week, it varies from being asked to compile complex reports when I don't know what to do to being shown how to load paper into a photocopier :/, for a company in Burlington (a couple of train stops after Oakville). Oakville's a really nice area, if you're settled with a family and what not, but yeah it's pretty dead for young single people. Think I'll be spending my weekends up in Toronto.

It's weird how in the UK you hear about how great the Canadian economy is but yet here there's a story in the Metro almost everyday about the high rates of youth unemployment, so it's not easy when you don't have experience. I'm really grateful for the help I got from people back home in getting a start here. Just need to live up to their expectations and prove myself now...
(edited 12 years ago)
Reply 353
Original post by fiona344
Are you in Canada now? I move into my new place tomorrow, which is the basement of some woman and her son's house tomorrow. I have my own room, bathroom, fridge and microwave which is nice. I'd prefer to be with other young professionals, but the commute was killing me so 1 bus ride rather than that bus, slow train, bus won out.
I was only at the HI for a week or so, might go back for Sat nights cos I don't want to give up my weekend job and I finish too late to get the last train back. i stayed in a 10 bed dorm 9cos it was cheapest) and it was totally fine, didn't feel crowded and I got to know everyone there.

I'm working as a finance assistant during the week, it varies from being asked to compile complex reports when I don't know what to do to being shown how to load paper into a photocopier :/, for a company in Burlington (a couple of train stops after Oakville). Oakville's a really nice area, if you're settled with a family and what not, but yeah it's pretty dead for young single people. Think I'll be spending my weekends up in Toronto.

It's weird how in the UK you hear about how great the Canadian economy is but yet here there's a story in the Metro almost everyday about the high rates of youth unemployment, so it's not easy when you don't have experience. I'm really grateful for the help I got from people back home in getting a start here. Just need to live up to their expectations and prove myself now...


Yeah I'm in Canada, have been for a week now. How are you going to handle the "meeting new people" stuff in a house with a family and so far from everywhere? I drove through Burlington today, towards a park (Lowville or something).

How long have you been here now? Pretty impressive getting a finance related job, this damned physics degree is gonna get me nowhere! And how long is your rent contract and payments? Bills and internet included?

Need to speed up and get myself a job soon...
Reply 354
Original post by StephLC2011

Original post by StephLC2011
Hiya.

I really want to apply for Work Canada but all the visas are gone for 2011.

Is anyone else wanting to apply with the hopes of going in 2012?



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!
Original post by fiona344
There's way more people on laptops at the Canadiana than at HI. Well it depends on the people, some nights the Canadiana is really sociable and friendly and other nights it's pretty silent. Fact that I've noticed that show I've been here too long.

I've found a place to live today, so shall be moving out on Tuesday. Figured I'd rather spend Thanksgiving in Toronto with other travelers than all by myself out in the suburbs. I can't wait to unpack and stop having a stupidly long commute.


I cant remember if I've asked before, but is it better book up the mixed dorms or go for same sex?
Reply 356
Original post by BillyM
Yeah I'm in Canada, have been for a week now. How are you going to handle the "meeting new people" stuff in a house with a family and so far from everywhere? I drove through Burlington today, towards a park (Lowville or something).

How long have you been here now? Pretty impressive getting a finance related job, this damned physics degree is gonna get me nowhere! And how long is your rent contract and payments? Bills and internet included?

Need to speed up and get myself a job soon...


I don't know! All my friends so far have been from the hostel, my weekend job (at the opposite end of the GTA) and an outdoor club I found in Toronto. I'm really worried about being lonely here. I've never really been "the new person" alone before. The people I work with are nice, but they won't be my social friends, and all activities down here are centered around kids or pensioners. Hopefully I'll find people somehow...anyone got suggestions?:colondollar:

I've been here for 2 months now! In some ways it's flown by, but at the same time i feel like I've been here forever, in a good way. I love living here, can never articulate exactly why it's so much better than the UK, but it just is. Still not used to the driving on the other side of the road thing yet. It's quite a simple thing really, but I always go to the drivers side of people's cars, and yesterday spent 10mins waiting for a bus before realizing I was on the wrong side of the road lol. Think my accent is changing, when I first came out I was always mistaken for being Irish, but this weekend was mistaken for being English, and Australian several times.

I don't have a rent contract, which surprised me. If I'd known how casual it was wouldn't have stayed in hostels for so long while job hunting. I'm paying $600 per month (plus $400 deposit), told them I'm planning to stay till August, but can leave sooner. Utilities included, including wifi (yet to test streaming) and 7 tv channels. The bed is massive, and I didn't realise how much I missed carpet until just now! It's nice.

I think my job title sounds more impressive than the reality of the position tbh. Working at Asda back home required more effort than this, which is a sentence I never thought I'd say!


Original post by ChrisBan
I cant remember if I've asked before, but is it better book up the mixed dorms or go for same sex?


Don't think you've asked before, but I can't really answer. I've only stayed in same sex dorms.
Reply 357
Hey hey,

I've been in Toronto for two weeks now, and though I'm LOVING the city, I'm starting to feel nervous about lack of job and social life...I'm staying with family friends (who are amazing!) but I haven't really met anyone else! I'm not here with Bunac, so I missed out on all that "getting to know you" stuff!

If anyone fancies a meetup in Toronto, let me know as I'd love to meet other UK people :smile:

Joni xx
Original post by fiona344



Don't think you've asked before, but I can't really answer. I've only stayed in same sex dorms.


Ok cool... I'll be booking ASAP, just need to find out how flexible they are with date changes
Reply 359
Original post by ChrisBan
Ok cool... I'll be booking ASAP, just need to find out how flexible they are with date changes


Why not book your flight first? It's not too busy that you're not going to find a place to sleep. I personally booked for a week two days before I came to the hostel (Canadiana), and I didn't even book when I went to the HI hostel (though I had a slightly more expensive room...).

Original post by Jonidip
Hey hey,

I've been in Toronto for two weeks now, and though I'm LOVING the city, I'm starting to feel nervous about lack of job and social life...I'm staying with family friends (who are amazing!) but I haven't really met anyone else! I'm not here with Bunac, so I missed out on all that "getting to know you" stuff!

If anyone fancies a meetup in Toronto, let me know as I'd love to meet other UK people :smile:

Joni xx


You should maybe take a couple of days out of your family's house and head to one of the hostels, you'll definitely meet some people here. And I agree, a TSR meet up at some point? Maybe once I've got a bloody job. Today has been spent discovering that they don't use A4 paper here and confusion with envelopes etc. Wasted day..

Original post by fiona344
I don't know! All my friends so far have been from the hostel, my weekend job (at the opposite end of the GTA) and an outdoor club I found in Toronto. I'm really worried about being lonely here. I've never really been "the new person" alone before. The people I work with are nice, but they won't be my social friends, and all activities down here are centered around kids or pensioners. Hopefully I'll find people somehow...anyone got suggestions?:colondollar:

I've been here for 2 months now! In some ways it's flown by, but at the same time i feel like I've been here forever, in a good way. I love living here, can never articulate exactly why it's so much better than the UK, but it just is. Still not used to the driving on the other side of the road thing yet. It's quite a simple thing really, but I always go to the drivers side of people's cars, and yesterday spent 10mins waiting for a bus before realizing I was on the wrong side of the road lol. Think my accent is changing, when I first came out I was always mistaken for being Irish, but this weekend was mistaken for being English, and Australian several times.


I don't know about meeting people. Hostellers comes and go. Living out on the suburbs makes it even harder I guess. Sports maybe? TSR meet up :-) ?

I know what you mean about the confusion with the Canadians' driving on the wrong side of the road. I make sure I look both ways before I set foot on the road to avoid confusion. I'm still adjusting to the coins, too. And the bloody tax... I HATE TAX!

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