Avid traveller and IEP Work Britain participant Kerrin has just arrived in the UK. She fills us in on her initial thoughts and experiences!
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So I got into London yesterday morning, early, from Vietnam. I can't believe I am finally here! I was so happy to see my friend Kirsten at the gates, because I would have no idea about where to go from the airport. If she wasn't there I would have definitely needed transfers. We got the tube back to her place where I will be staying for a couple of weeks.
I have an interview with an agency today that recruit for temp work for medical receptionists, which is perfect - need to start earning the pound ASAP, Aussie dollars disappear so fast. Also another interview for a reception job at a health spa in Kensington, which sounds good as well. These agencies want me to get a job more than I do, they call back so fast, it's great, I think it will make it easier for me.
With getting a NI number you need a job before you can get one, but need an NI number to get a job-confusing and tricky. The best thing they do is give you a temporary number, so there is no mad rush to sort it out, and any potential employer will be happy that at least you have something temporary to start with. If you don't have a job, to get one you need to go into an office and wait ages and line up, but if you have a job, you can fill in a form and send it off, but it will still take 6 weeks or so. I have a friend here who has been working here for six months and still hasn't bothered getting her NI number, so who knows what will happen to her at the end of her stay...
The orientation presenter, Catherine, was fantastic, she made everything easy to understand and referred to words that we would use in our home countries. For example, when she was talking about NI number and tax and things that are confusing enough as it is, she made it simpler by explaining what it is called in America, or Australia, eg TFN. This was really helpful, as there is so much terminology that is new or very different. She also gave us an insight into British people and how different they are in London, eg, if we are starting a new job, don't be shocked if no-one comes up and says hi and starts up a conversation, as Londoners in particular, prefer to sit back and watch and listen first, but after a few days they will open up and make you feel more welcome. I found this interesting, and maybe quite helpful for when I start work. Also that people in London are so busy and will maybe bump into you on the street and not really apologise or make an effort for eye contact, that this is also just a city thing. This I'm sure is much the same as Sydney, but if you haven't lived in a city before and have come from a country town or something, this may be something you find very confronting and daunting or rude. The staff obviously know travellers want things to be as cheap as possible so they have sourced out the cheap places to visit and how to get the most out of your stay by spending as little as possible, eg, Megabus have 1 pound bus trips to Scotland - can't wait to look into that!!
The BUNAC office is very easy to find, the directions are very clear and easy to understand, and when you get there, there are clear signs about where to go. I had never used the tube system and I got it right the first time. At the BUNAC office everyone is very helpful and approachable, no question is too stupid for them. They are very well travelled, which makes you feel they actually know what they are talking about, which of course allows you to trust them. There is a world map on one of the walls with dots marked on all the places the staff have visited. It makes me really want to see different parts of the world. It is very friendly, community-minded place, I have been in three times in the last week to use the facilities, readily available fast safe internet, printer, phones, fax and to look at the agencies BUNACers have used previously, and it is almost like a second home at the moment. There is a whole room of computers which is great, and walls and walls of advertisements for agencies and available positions clearly labelled with important information for everyone. Also, I can't wait to go to a pub meet, I missed this one this week as I was catching up with a friend, but the next one looks really good.
International
Exchange Programs (IEP) is a non-profit
organisation specialising in sending young Australians
on working holidays overseas, currently to Canada,
Britain, Ireland, the USA, South Africa, Cambodia,
Peru and Costa Rica. IEP also assists young travellers
from overseas on reciprocal programs in Australia.
With offices in Melbourne and Sydney and representatives
in other states, IEP is the largest non-profit,
work and travel organisation in Australia.
The orientation presenter, Catherine, was fantastic, she made everything easy to understand and referred to words that we would use in our home countries. For example, when she was talking about NI number and tax and things that are confusing enough as it is, she made it simpler by explaining what it is called in America, or Australia, eg TFN. This was really helpful, as there is so much terminology that is new or very different. She also gave us an insight into British people and how different they are in London, eg, if we are starting a new job, don't be shocked if no-one comes up and says hi and starts up a conversation, as Londoners in particular, prefer to sit back and watch and listen first, but after a few days they will open up and make you feel more welcome. I found this interesting, and maybe quite helpful for when I start work. Also that people in London are so busy and will maybe bump into you on the street and not really apologise or make an effort for eye contact, that this is also just a city thing. This I'm sure is much the same as Sydney, but if you haven't lived in a city before and have come from a country town or something, this may be something you find very confronting and daunting or rude. The staff obviously know travellers want things to be as cheap as possible so they have sourced out the cheap places to visit and how to get the most out of your stay by spending as little as possible, eg, Megabus have 1 pound bus trips to Scotland - can't wait to look into that!!
the BUNAC office everyone is very helpful and approachable, no question is too stupid for them. They are very well travelled, which makes you feel they actually know what they are talking about, which of course allows you to trust them. There is a world map on one of the walls with dots marked on all the places the staff have visited. It makes me really want to see different parts of the world. It is very friendly, community-minded place, I have been in three times in the last week to use the facilities, readily available fast safe internet, printer, phones, fax and to look at the agencies BUNACers have used previously, and it is almost like a second home at the moment. There is a whole room of computers which is great, and walls and walls of advertisements for agencies and available positions clearly labelled with important information for everyone. Also, I can't wait to go to a pub meet, I missed this one this week as I was catching up with a friend, but the next one looks really good.
