June 7, 2013
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A broad abroad
My friends say do it; my family says don't do it. Weird isn't it? I always thought it was your family who was supposed to support you and love you unconditionally, but it's really friends who fill that role. They chose to be with you while your relatives are merely stuck with you. My besties helped me through all the drama that is high school, swooning and crying over boys, helping me apply for uni and again later for college, giving encouragement to get through one more day at the evilness of numerous menial jobs, and now they are the ones who are rooting for my plans... the achievement of reaching my biggest dream.
Yeah, you've probably guessed it by now: Ireland. When I saved the funds to take a two week holiday in Ireland my friends all cheered, while my parents said "Oh" then went back to what they were doing and my brother said "whatever". Now I have decided I want to take that one step further, do something even better than a mere two weeks on a magical island... I want to live there.
Okay, so technically it would be a work exchange and can only last up to two years, but it's a start! Two weeks is not nearly enough time to see all the things I want to see and do all the things I want to do... Two weeks is not long enough to fall desperately in love with some hawtie local with a swoon-worthy lilting accent. (I CAN DREAM CAN'T I?) I've been looking into a couple programs that do an exchange, and I'm not sure which one is better. I'm going to give y'all the deets, and I'd really like your input.
GO INTERNATIONAL
It's for the UK, which is anywhere in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland... but I'm not sure if you get a choice of location. Helps you apply for a visa. Welcome pack of information and assistance from partnered organization if any problems. Guarantees a job and accommodation (usually the same place), you don't get options and it is usually somewhere rural. If you don't like the job they find you, then you have to find your own work and housing.
SWAP
It's for southern Ireland. Helps you apply for a visa. Gives you a pre-departure kit with information of what you need to do before and after you get to your destination. Have an arrival orientation to meet other exchange people. Has a hosting centre to help you get started with arranging for working in a foreign country (ie. banking, taxes, etc) and finding a place to live, as well unlimited access to internet and assistance for any problems. Does not provide you with work or accommodation.
SUMR
Comments (2)
Id probably go with go international because more is organised for you from the start but then id probably be too scared to do it anyway. Plus I already live in the best place ever! But you would need to find out if you can choose Ireland or you might end up elsewhere in thw UK - they are all awesome countries but they arent your dream and if you are going to be dping something big you as well be doing your dream. Swap sounds like there is more choice and ia definitely in ireland so if ypu cope not knowingthat your work plus accommodation is sorted then go with that one. Either way you havent got anything holding you back so you should go for it.
@happyworld_ofharibo - You do live in one of the best places ever! Lucky thing. The longer I think about doing work-abroad the less scared I am. It has been something I'd been thinking about for years but it's become a now-or-never thing due to my age, so I'm going to do it! Both programs have their pros and cons *sigh* It's required to have around two or three months living expenses before going, so if I don't get a job immediately it'd be okay. I am a bit worried about having a place to stay though, as I don't like the idea of living in a hostel until I find work/home. I'll have to email to inquire if there's a choice in location, pronto!
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