need help going overseas

[Landy Smurf]

ok i am going over seas in december this year i am aiming to go over until about september next yr.i am aiming for sweden but also have denmark and england as a backup plan.i need help with getting work.what should i look at? how hard is it to get work in these 3 countries?how hard is it to get accomodation and a working visa i have been doing some research and looking at this stuff on the internet but with not to much luck i am also wanting to do a gap year program working at a school or au pair or something of that nature.any help or advice would be great
cheers tony

[MickS]

I think with an Aussie passport mate, you should be right to get work in England. But I will stand corrected from those in the know.

Work Britain - IEP Australia - British Working Holidays for Australians (http://www.iep.org.au/workbritain/tipsinsp.asp)


Work in a London Pub | Work London | STA Travel | Work in a London pub (http://www.statravel.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/au_division_web_live/hs.xsl/work-london-pub.htm)

[big guy]

Firstly, I hope you have a great time.

Secondly, we live on this wicked island, the worlds largest in fact and are so sheltered here. The recession is still very much alive over there, england and ireland in particular are not far behind greece at the moment.
I have quite a few friends there and they want to move back here but can't actually sell their property because values have dropped, banks have tightened lending criteria and jobs are rare. They can't even get what they paid 6 years ago.
In other words, timing is not good at the moment.
There is a lot of unskilled work that immigrants are getting picked for and paid bugger all.
When I was in sweden last, I paid double for say a coffee than i paid in say germany. Coffee was filter coffee too and they fleeced me. Sweden is so expensive, my head is still spinning. Its a beautiful place though, people are amazing. Many speak english but a second language is desireable for you.

Easiest work is in hospitality over there, your timing is in their winter, snow season is huge and if you ski and or have bar experience they love aussie blokes because we are easy going and love a good time.

England also will be in winter but winter there is dark, very dark like only 7 hours of day light and cold like you have never experienced. Pack your thermals.Not kidding either.

If you want a reference for some bar work experience, I can fudge one for you and say you worked in my bar for some time. Its not brain surgery and think you be fine.

Sometimes the remote work arrangements don't stack up and best bet can be to just show up and pick a place and say you want work.
That worked for me, was a long time ago when I back packed but last trip was not too long ago and I am sure you will have a great time, just be prepared.

[Landy Smurf]

thanks alot my girlf firiend is in sweden so that is really where i want to be she lives in helsingborg so near denmark if i could get a job there that would be the best but im also thinking my chances are not that great and since it is only $100 to fly from london to where she is i thought well maybe england then.i have been looking at heaps of different jobs even doing online surveys as some extra cash.i am keen as mustard to get over there.i am doing a rsa and a rsg next month so that could help abit i suppose.the careers adviser did not help me at all so im going solo which is not going to well my girlfriend said she is going to try and find me something one of her friends has a big pig farm and they are in touch with alot of the other farms in the area so if i could get a job there that would be great.

[big guy]

Sounds great.

I found best thing is front up to a place and sound keen.
You are half way there if you have accomodation being taken care of.

[Landy Smurf]

well she is going to be at school so i dont want to be there to long only long enough for myself to get work and my own place

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Tony

If you're planning a gap year O/S then you should be concentrating on saving money, not acquiring additional ex-military SIII etc. There will be plenty of them left when you return. The goal ATM should be to stack the money away so you can really enjoy the time O/S.

Diana

[Landy Smurf]

i have enough money to go over there but i just would prefer when i get back that i still have 75% of that

[Marshall]

I agree with big guy. just rock up.
As for work, get your girl to translate this website,maybe they can help... http://www.slrk.org/svensk-land-rover-klubb/ (http://www.slrk.org/svensk-land-rover-klubb/)
In any case, they generally learn English
I spent six years in the Netherlands after planning only a year! you will need a work visa anywhere you go in Europe, including the UK. the local immigration service should be able to help...
In any case, just do it, don't look back, and remember, one life, live it!:)

[Landy Smurf]

the main problem is im turning up in winter.summer has good jobs but i will be most likely travelling then

[big guy]

Correct me if I am wrong, you are young, say 18-19.

Don't plan so much, it rarely turns out on the other side of the globe.
Biggest problem is language and age.

Just go and see if you like it, if you do stay and find a job, a young lad with the right attitude and skills will get work.

Lazy, smartarse punks are the ones that any perspective employer will pass.
Trust me on that one and go for it.

[Landy Smurf]

ok i am not sure exactly what you were implying when you said that.so can you explain abit more please
thanks Tony

[big guy]

Its simple, you seem like a very intellegent young man.

Go forth and explore as people with the right mind set and attitude will do well. Its always been that way.

[Landy Smurf]

oh ok thanks sorry about before i just wasnt sure exactly what you meant.i have joined a few au pair websites as that would allow me to get to know the culture aswell as learning and with a few dollars on the side aswell

[frantic]

In the U.K from memory there is a time limit on a work visa (not sure about europe) that from memory was 2 years work in total . this meant you could work 12 months go away for 4 years and still work in the u.k for another 12months. With the recession it may be harder but here is a tip , if either of your parents or grandparents(only need 1) where from the U.K you can be able to bypass the work visa,(ancestry visa instead) have a look into it.
Visas UK - Work Visas - UK Working Visas - Youth Mobility Visa (Working Holiday Visa), Ancestry Visa, Skilled Sponsorship, Highly Skilled Workers - UK (http://www.workgateways.com/working-uk-visas.html)

Remember food is double our price at a min. Accomodation is MUCH smaller per $$. 2 of my wifes friends went over as teachers and the only way to save to travel was to work in the local pub at night for free board and save their teaching wage for trips. Take vitamins(buy them here) to replace the lack of sun/real food from living in the U.K as your body is used to Aus. and plenty of strong sunlight /plenty of cheap food high vitamin intake over there everyone looks like a goth:D

[3toes]

So long as you come over here with an open mind and do not attempt to find something the same as you have at home and are able to roll with what you find you will have a great time.

Initially while dealing with the locals keep the eyes open and mouth shut you will learn a lot. Even in the UK while they speak a version of the same language under the skin they have different asperations and expectations of life from what is considered the norm at home.

Join the YHA before you depart. Use them for initial accommodation until you have a job. Is a good place to meet people who are in a similar position and so find friends. Book your initial accommodation even the first few days so you do not have that hassle while finding your feet in a new country. In larger cities they tend to need a few days notice to gain a place due to volume of people wanting to stay with them.

Most places in the UK will not let you even share a house unless you have a job. Share is also good as you have a house full of people similar age (one house I lived in in London was 3 bedroom with a regular overnight of about 12. There were people who had staked out the landing on the stairs and another behind the lounge) all attempting to make a little cash go a long way. Watch out for lease contracts as you can end up liable while everyone else has dissapeared.

If you want to find out about jobs use the internet. There will be plenty of employment companies advertising in whatever country you are considering. Also some of the larger Australian ones will have UK offices. My experience of these was they tell you what ever you want to hear about your prospects not what you need to know. Dont limit yourself to bar work there are other better paying opportunities if you look. See what skills / qualifications are required and be prepared before you depart.

[Landy Smurf]

thanks alot for the helpful info.i am definately going over open minded and what ever work i can get i will be happy with.i have signed up for some au pair stuff so far no luck is going to be hard since im a guy and all but we will see anyway i am trying everything

[3toes]

Have you completed the Nanny / Au pair course? Without this ticket you will find it difficult to obtain work. A current first aid certificate is also often required.

[miky]

Northern Europe in winter :confused:

I came to Oz to get away from that :D

Went back for a visit once in winter and never again.

[Seriestwo]

I am flying out to the UK on the 25th of this month. I got a UK work visa under the Youth Mobility Scheme. I also signed up with IEP and the Visa was easy to get. I am 28 and thought this would be the easiest way to see "the rest of the world". If you are wanting a work visa for all of the other Euro countries you will need sponsorship from your employer. Sponsorship is really hard to find as lots of businesses have closed over all of Europe and unemployment is quite hight and the governments have knocked back lots and lots of sponsorship visas. In all honestly your best bet is to sign up with an international job scheme program like IEP or there are a few others on the net.

Otherwise to work in the UK you can be sponsored by the Australian government under the youth mobility scheme. Work there and travel back and forth to the girlfriends place.

When I am heading over I have already looked at cars and accommodation, also you will need a euro bank account so they can put cash into your account. There are too many things to list on here so make sure you do the research and best of luck, but I would say you will have a hard time getting a Visa for anywhere else in Europe but the UK, unless you have rights to obtain a Euro passport ie grand parents or parents are from Europe.