Need advice on quitting my job and going on a working holiday in Canada

Cubanista

Hi


I was speaking to a friend yesterday and he has just come back from Canada on a working holiday and really loved his time out there. He told me that he would recommend it so much.


Work is boring and would like a new change in life too, and this is something i am very interested in. I have been looking into it and the Canadian dollar is really weak compared to the pound so i was planning to save around 4/5k to support me for the first few months.


Does anyone have experience of living and working in Canada, or the work holiday visa? I am exteremely excited at the prospect of experiencing a new culture and country etc.

Thanks,


Cubanista

PenguinOfDeath

Yes but about 6 years ago, went via BUNAC.

Was there just under a year, got a job within a couple of months but wasn't looking intensively, enjoying myself too much!

Try not to make too many plans, a few people I went with got itchy feet so took themself off to the mountains for a bit.

The hostels are full of people from all over the world doing the same thing so you won't be on your own!

Cubanista

PenguinOfDeath wrote: »

Yes but about 6 years ago, went via BUNAC.

Was there just under a year, got a job within a couple of months but wasn't looking intensively, enjoying myself too much!

Try not to make too many plans, a few people I went with got itchy feet so took themself off to the mountains for a bit.

The hostels are full of people from all over the world doing the same thing so you won't be on your own!

How long did you go for and which location?


I was planning to stay out there for 2 years, but not sure how i would explain away the gap in the c.v. I just want an experience in life before i end up regretting it.


My friend went to Toronto and said it's amazing. He went out there to focus on improving his career prospects as an aspiring actor.


He went to various shows, film festivals and did a lot acting work out there. He felt London had become too congested with aspiring actors and felt a move would help him stand out.


What work did you do?


Thanks,


Cubanista

CKhalvashi

I wanted to do it, but unfortunately I'm now too old to get the visa and a lot of other things got in the way.

The gap in CV can surely be explained by the visa, and the fact you would have done some work abroad, as well as having lived in a different-ish culture. As an employer, I'm more likely to take someone on with a view of the world (we're a reasonably small team, but the majority of our work is export), and I would imagine that there are others out there that view it like this.

PenguinOfDeath

I was based in Vancouver but went to other cities whilst there too, loved Toronto.

I worked in a grocery store and there's loads of local events to get your teeth into too. Others I met out there worked in clothes stores, painting and decorating, hotels, sports coaching, oh and the usual ski seasons amongst others.

I went for pretty much the same reasons as yourself, I never found it hindered me getting a job afterwards, apart from actually getting one in a recession as it was!

Savvy_Sue

Cubanista wrote: »

I was planning to stay out there for 2 years, but not sure how i would explain away the gap in the c.v. I just want an experience in life before i end up regretting it.

What gap on your cv? 2016-2018, travelling and working in Canada, including any key highlights of particular relevance to the job you're applying for.

dawyldthing

I've worked at summer camps in America and Canada and generally it's a good conversation starter in interviews. You can get the visa yourself it's just if you do it through an agency then you have support when out there and can with getting tax back etc. I'm also going travelling for 3 months early next year. In most jobs as long as you can get a reference there not too fussed I don't think unless your doing something that needs constant training.

Go for it, you'll have the time of your life!