Leaving Home is Easy

WITH JOBS much more plentiful at home these days, the need for students and school-leavers to work abroad during the holiday months in order to finance their studies has lessened considerably. However, for a variety of reasons thousands still choose to travel abroad to experience working life in another country and to sample different cultures.

The choice and range of temporary holiday jobs on offer has widened considerably over the years. Nowadays, a summer job is not confined to the drudgery of canning sardines in Stuttgart or packing tulip bulbs in Holland. The most popular jobs are still in the tourism and leisure industry, with waitressing, bar, restaurant and hotel work topping the list. And while mainland Europe is still popular, many choose to travel to the US or even to Australia to experience that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Camp It Up!
One of the most popular ways for students to experience life in America is to work in a summer camp teaching children and teenagers. Your skills, whatever they may be, are in big demand by camp directors all over the USA. Camps also recruit professional staff, including office staff and special needs counsellors, to ensure the children have fun, learn new skills and take home lasting memories. Typically you'll be teaching your favourite sport or activity for an entire summer and gaining valuable work experience, especially if you're a would-be teacher.

BUNACAMP Counsellors is the summer camp counselling programme operated by BUNAC, a non-profit student-based organisation with almost 37 years' experience in the field of overseas work and travel. As a counsellor you'll be living with and teaching American children aged 6–16 for at least nine weeks between early June and mid-August.

Activities most in demand include archery, arts, crafts, canoeing, dancing, gymnastics, horse riding, music & drama, sailing, swimming, tennis, water skiing, windsurfing, and woodwork.

As a participant on the Bunacamp Counsellors programme you'll be able to enjoy a range of benefits including:

- Low upfront costs: The cost of round-trip transatlantic flight is deducted from your salary at the end of the summer.
- Guaranteed minimum in-hand salary of $440 ($500 for over-21s).
- Access to camp facilities plus free food and accommodation.
- Time to travel once camp has finished.
- Individual placement at an approved camp by Bunac's professional staff.
- Bunac support services before you leave and during your stay.

To become eligible to be a Bunacamp Counsellor you need to be at least 19 by June 1st 1999. Obviously you'll need to enjoy the company of children and possess plenty of energy, enthusiasm and a sense of humour. You also have to be available to leave for the US early in June (or possibly before).

Bunacamp will be hosting interviews in Dublin on Feb 6th. To reserve your place, call the interview hotline at 0044 171 251 3448.

The American Work Experience (AWE) offers the following positions in the US this year:

1. CAMP COUNSELLOR: Suited to anyone aged at least 18 by June 1st 1999 who has previous experience of working with groups of youngsters and preferably an award in a sport or activity. Anyone experienced at working with challenged populations is especially welcome to apply.

2. CAMP SUPPORT STAFF: Only available to those currently in full-time education, or those who will be commencing full-time education in autumn 1999. Duties are within the catering, domestic or maintenance areas on camp. Previous work experience of any type is required, together with a flexible, adaptable attitude and a good sense of humour. After your camp assignment is over, you can travel or, because of the visa you have, you can try to obtain further work in the USA and earn money.

3. WORKUSA OPTION: Designed for students who are on a full-time course of study at post-secondary education level (or who have a confirmed place for the autumn of their return from the USA on such a course). If you have secured employment in the USA for the summer months, AWE will, after checking out the offer of employment, advise and provide the essential J-1 Visa, allowing the work undertaken in the States to be legal.

4. SIX FLAGS OPTION: For the independent student (status conditions as above) who likes adventure and needs to earn money during the summer, AWE have linked with Six Flags Amusement Parks and can offer a variety of positions at one of their locations during the summer months. Weekly pay can be around $250.

What does AWE offer?

- Placement at an accredited camp for approximately nine weeks with full meals and lodging, or a confirmed offer of employment before departure for WORKUSA participants.
- Placement notification within 8 weeks of interview — or exercise your option to withdraw with a full refund of deposit.
- Opportunity to be placed with a friend.
- Opportunity to select a specific camp or area.
- J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa.
- Pre-departure orientation and travel information.
- Comprehensive pre-departure placement documentation.
- Full medical cover for four months.
- Round-trip London–USA air transportation, with return from your arrival airport.
- AWE or camp representative to meet you from AWE flights on arrival in US.
- Two nights' free accommodation in a hostel in New York City for camp staff.
- Free transportation to your camp.
- Time for independent sightseeing and travelling throughout America at the end of your camp or employment commitment.
- Whilst in the US, receive the "AWEsome NEWS".
- 24-hour-a-day assistance from AWE staff during the summer via a toll-free number.
- Camp staff receive pocket money of $425–$1,025 depending on age and the selected programme.
For further information contact American Work Experience Ltd., Belfast Ph: 0044 1232 628831.

VOLUNTEER YOUR SKILLS!
APSO

Often those with several years' work experience in a particular discipline wish to experience life working abroad, especially in a developing country. APSO is the Irish national agency which enables Irish men and women to share skills and knowledge with people in the developing world on volunteer terms. It works in association with Irish and international NGOs, community groups and government agencies.

Funded by the Irish government, APSO has provided a complete recruitment service of overseas development personnel for 20 years. APSO has recruited, sponsored and trained thousands of Irish development workers since its inception in 1974. In 1996, APSO recruited, trained and funded over 1,300 people to work in developing countries. Most APSO assignments are for two years, though the number of short-term assignments is increasing rapidly.

APSO is the Irish agent for United Nations Volunteers (UNV). Between 1996 and 1997, APSO has funded development workers in over 70 countries around the world in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. APSO development workers range in age from 23 to late 70s. The average age is 30. APSO constantly needs health and education professionals, with an increasing demand for a wide variety of skills from architects to social workers to skilled tradespeople.

People most in demand are administrators, tradespeople, engineers, therapists, community development workers and teachers (for all levels). In recent times skill needs and requests have become even more diverse, with a growing demand for computer personnel, business and administration professionals, and many other professions.

To be an APSO development worker you must be:

- At least 23 years of age
- Skilled and qualified
- Have two years' working experience
- Available for two years
- Eligible for an Irish passport
- If going overseas for the first time you will receive the following:
- A living allowance
- A return airfare
- Insurance
- A mid-assignment grant
- Accommodation
- A resettlement grant on your return