Peter McGoran, Queen’s University Belfast
J1 Visa with Camp Leaders, USA

Why I did it…

Three months working as a lifeguard by a lake in the dense forests of Upstate New York? Try to stop me. Getting a chance to work at – cue laboured American accent – caaamp is high on the list of almost everyone who grew up on American TV and films (watch Wet Hot American Summer if you get the chance). It’s also become a rite of passage for Irish students, with organisations like Camp Leaders and Camp America regularly recruiting at universities and colleges across the country.

What I learnt…

That there truly are some places where that vision of campfires, camaraderie, and communal living still exist, even if it’s not entirely the idealised version that camp owners want to portray. You’ll build real, lasting friendships, help generations of young people improve their life skills, and do shameful things to your liver on the few days off that you get. Ultimately, you’ll also learn a lot about yourself as a person and what you can handle. The rate of people returning to the same camp year after year is remarkably high – and there’s a reason for this.

What advice I’d give…

Whether it’s worrying about homesickness or feeling like you don’t have the skills or the ability to be a ‘Camp Leader’, the only thing that’s stopping you is self-doubt. Almost everyone who applies for these things gets placed in a camp, almost everyone stays the summer, and almost everyone feels stupid for worrying in the first place. Trust yourself and you’ll be fine. Oh, and don’t make stupid jokes at US Customs…

Tommy Greene, Queen’s University Belfast Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Spain

Why I did it…

The decision to teach English in Spain after graduating was a fairly straightforward one. Having already had a taste of the Iberian Peninsula through the Erasmus programme (also high on the Hot Press list of recommendations), and not having studied a vocational degree which would‘ve mapped out a clearer pathway towards a specific job (thank you English Lit!), I decided to give TEFL a go.

What I learnt…

Getting to grips with teaching, a new language, and all the cultural differences is no easy task. Due in part to my own lack of advance organisation, I was initially faced with a gruelling 35-hour classroom schedule across five schools in provincial Spain (considerably cushier language assistant programmes exist through the Irish and UK governments – with application deadlines in January and March). However, this TEFL baptism of fire was, in hindsight, not such a bad thing. The experience and confidence I gained from those six months has helped me subsequently work across a number of Spain’s educational and professional sectors – and in doing so, has afforded me some invaluable insights into what is a very diverse nation.

What advice I’d give…

A couple of years down the line and my decision to move (I’m now living in Madrid) has reaped plenty of benefits. Aside from making me fluent in the world’s second-most-spoken native language, Spain has served up some of the best cultural offerings I’ve come across in my life. Spaniards themselves are some of the warmest and most welcoming people I’ve ever met. For those interested in current affairs and aspiring journalists or writers, like myself, Spain has been a kind of laboratory for anti-austerity politics since the financial crash. Between that, its various other political movements, and the country’s linguistic and cultural mix, life here is colourful to say the least. In short, Spain is a hive of activity across a number of spheres and, with its demand for native English teachers, remains a great option for any Irish student or graduate.

Stephen Porzio, University College Dublin
Retail Work with an ETA Visa, Canada

Why I did it…

I had always lived at home and thought that going to Canada would be an opportunity to gain some independence. My mates and I applied for the Canadian equivalent of a Visa – an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) – via Canada.ca. While the process of seeking the necessary documents to apply (police certificate, family information form) is arduous, and the time you wait to be accepted is long, thereafter things move quickly. Once given the green light, I booked my flights and travel insurance as a package deal through USIT.

What I learnt…

That getting a job, paying rent and buying groceries makes you more mature, instilling an appreciation of what your parents face every day. I quickly found myself employed in a Vancouver branch of Nordstorm. The monotony of working in retail folding shirts for eight hours a day was offset by the thrill of travelling abroad and sharing all these new experiences – swimming in the Pacific Ocean, hiking up Grouse Mountain, going to dorm room parties – with friends.

What advice I’d give

Not only will an ETA experience provide you with memories (good and bad) to cherish, the intensity and unpredictability of the living and working abroad experience will result in bonds growing deeper. I’d recommend this to students, with the proviso that the ‘long holiday’ concept evaporates once you get a job to support yourself.

Niamh Leneghan, University of Manchester
Farming Work in Australia

Why I did it…

I undertook farming work to secure my chance of gaining a second year working holiday visa in Australia. I’d also been assured that it was a great way of making and saving money.

What I learnt…

Working on literally the largest dairy farm in Australia entailed lots of early mornings, late nights and smelly/ruined clothes (animal faeces will become part of the uniform after a few days… yes, you’ve been warned). But there’s an immensely fun side to this kind of life, and I had the best craic with everyone we worked with. I learnt a lot about day-to-day life in rural Australia, while the remoteness of the location and lack of WiFi made it a ‘self-reflective’ time, meaning that you learnt everything about the people you lived with and discovered talents you didn’t know you had (I became a pro-chef in just a few quick months).

What advice I’d give…

Have an open mind and get stuck into the work. If you don’t – it’ll be a long, hellish three months. On top of that, make sure the farm you’re going to is legitimate and that they can definitely sign your visa paperwork – there’s a few farms out there that like to take advantage of people. Don’t become a tabloid horror story!

Hannah Hollywood-Harry, Belfast Metropolitan College
Ski Resort Work, French Alps

Why I did it…

If you’ve ever worked at a boring job in your hometown with no solid goals in mind, you’ll know the itch of wanting to get away. The benefit of applying for ski resorts is that you don’t need to save heaps of money to head out. If you’re prepared to work a variety of jobs (both specific and non-specific to skiing), you can get hired and be out there in no time.

What I learnt…

I was working sometimes seven days a week in a restaurant on the slopes. It was an intense experience, but my job allowed me to ski as much as I wanted in my free time and there was never any shortage of like-minded people in the resorts to socialise with. Surprisingly for someone who drank her way through the days off over the seven months – I actually managed to save money for when I came back home!

What advice I’d give…

One pint counts for about four with high altitude – so go easy.