A UNIQUE GAP YEAR OPPORTUNITY IN CANADA
As the hard work and worry of coursework and exams draw to a close, BUNAC’s Gap Canada programme is an ideal way for ‘A’ level students to take a much-needed break from the books before starting university. Now officially open to applicants, Gap Canada offers young people aged 18 or over with a confirmed place at a British university starting in autumn 2007, an exciting opportunity to enhance their CV and enjoy the working holiday of a lifetime in Canada, either for a few months during the summer or winter, or for the whole of their gap year.
Exclusive to BUNAC, the market leader in overseas work and volunteer programmes, the 12-month Open Work Authorisation gives participants complete freedom to take any kind of job, anywhere in Canada. Most choose to finance their trip by taking short-term casual employment in one of the many shops, bars, restaurants, hotels or offices in the stunning west coast city of Vancouver or vibrant Toronto. During the winter, Gap Canada participants also have the chance to improve their skiing and snowboarding skills, while living and working in the popular resorts of Whistler in British Columbia or Banff in the Canadian Rockies. Winter work options include chalet staff, ski guides, ski hire shop assistants or lift operators.
Eligible candidates can apply to the programme straight away by returning their completed Gap Canada Application Form with the registration fee of £160; application forms and full programme details can be downloaded at www.bunac.org/gapcanada. The fee covers regional information talks throughout the UK, support from BUNAC in the UK prior to departure, and in Canada from BUNAC’s partner organisation, SWAP, visa administration to secure the Open Work Authorisation and a comprehensive Canada Handbook with exclusive Job Listings.
BUNAC’s Gap Canada Group Travel Package starts at £499 and includes competitively-priced Air Canada flights from London to Toronto or Vancouver, a BUNAC representative at the departure airport, transfer to your first night’s pre-booked hostel accommodation, the BUNAC Moneywise Guide to North America and a choice of Canadian cities to depart from on the return journey. Alternatively, participants can arrange their own flights to and from Canada. BUNAC’s travel insurance policy starts at £158 for four months’ cover.
Press: For further information on Gap Canada or BUNAC’s work and travel programmes to the USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ghana, Costa Rica, Peru and Cambodia, call (020) 7251 3472 or visit www.bunac.org
BUNAC’s Gap Canada
Participant Profile: Hannah Jones, 18
During the run-up to their ‘A’ levels, Hannah Jones and her friend Sophie, both 18 and from Maidenhead, began considering the benefits of a gap year abroad. A working holiday would give them a taste of independence and a welcome break from studying after 14 years of continuous education, enabling them to embark upon their university courses with renewed enthusiasm and purpose. It also offered the prospect of adding some vital work experience to their CVs, while earning enough money to make the trip self-funding.
Hannah and Sophie opted for BUNAC’s Gap Canada programme, which gave them access to a flexible Open Work Authorisation allowing them to live and work where they chose, and the security of travelling with a long-established company offering a support network in the country. Canada, with its world-class winter sports, seemed the ideal destination to experience a ski season without language barriers.
The application process was simple and the girls used BUNAC’s pre-departure information to research the different ski resorts in western Canada. They were keen to find an alternative to ever-popular Whistler, which they knew would attract many other Gap Canada participants, meaning stronger competition for jobs and lodging and perhaps less incentive to integrate with the locals. Based on personal recommendation and internet browsing, they settled on Sun Peaks in British Columbia, choosing a BUNAC group flight and an early November departure to arrive for the start of the ski season. The flight and arrival orientation in Vancouver provided a welcome opportunity to meet other BUNAC participants before heading inland to the Sun Peaks resort.
On arrival at Sun Peaks, the girls booked into the local youth hostel and found jobs within a week. Hannah started working in a ski store where she learnt how to wax and fit rental skis and to provide the high standard of customer service required by Canadian and international visitors, while Sophie secured a position on the front desk of a hotel. Although Hannah’s job was not hugely challenging, the benefits included excellent discounts on ski gear and a free lift pass. Securing long-term accommodation proved a little more difficult; after a three-week stint in the youth hostel, a chance conversation on a ski lift provided the girls with an opportunity to house-sit a brand new five-bedroom home while it was up for sale – an arrangement which lasted five months and made them the envy of their new friends. In exchange for a very reasonable rent, the girls took responsibility for keeping the house in pristine condition for potential buyers.
Comments Hannah, “Before I left the UK, I was really apprehensive about how we would cope with the challenges of finding a job and somewhere to live in a foreign country. I feel a huge sense of achievement knowing that we managed to set up home and support ourselves for six months.
“Canada is an amazing country. One of my best memories is taking the ski lift up the mountain with a group of friends on the last day of the season and then hiking further into the back country on virgin snow, with beautiful sunshine and incredible views. My skiing wasn’t great when I arrived, but I’ll tackle pretty much any slope now.”
Hannah continues, “I’ve met some fascinating people from all over the world and I’m a better communicator and more broad-minded about different cultures as a result. I feel much more relaxed about starting my Sports Management Degree at Nottingham Trent University in September – now I’ll be able to concentrate on studying and enjoying my life rather than worrying about how I’ll cope with being away from home and whether I’ll make new friends.”
Ends
Press: for further information, contact Sarah Leavesley or Haydn Parks @ BUNAC,
Tel: (020) 7251 0662 (please quote 020 7251 3472 in articles)
E-mail: sarah.leavesley@bunac.org.uk or haydn.parks@bunac.org.uk
Photography of Hannah Jones’ experience and Canada is available.