Hello all, i am pretty sure im going to do the whole student working holiday thing with BUNAC in the U.S.A this summer (may till september) I just have a few issues before i fully commit, and was wondering if you fine people would be able to share your knowledge.
1. I am 20 years old and look anywhere from 20-23.....How strictly enforced no drinking if your under 21? How easy is it to drink in bars, clubs, gigs etc......shall i grow some facial hair before i come out lol
2. Ill need to find a job to support my stay whilst in th US. In this time of economic strife is it wise coming over on a working holiday....will i be viewed negatively as some limey taking away jobs from americans?...................while we are on jobsnare any people who use this forum in the know of any would be employers who could do with a student to help for them, im talking waiting tables that type of job.
3. Ill also need to find accommodation....does anybody have tips on how to go about this....... the places i am interested in going are new york, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles....although i am not 100% decided on where ill end up going though which leads me on to...
4. Could anybody shed any light as to what it would be like for somebody in my situation in any of the above locations...or just provide any knowledge on these places.
My apologies for the long post thanks for reading....ps im from England and male
Reply to this 1. There are college/university students across America who are somehow able to drink under the age of 21. I'm sure you'll be able to find someone to serve you (not that I'm advocating it).
2. I grew up on the east end of Long Island, NY in the Hamptons which is a summer resort area. We had kids your age come over every summer to work, for some reason, most of them seemed to be from Ireland. I think if you look into seasonal vacation types of places you will have no trouble finding work.
3. Well I can't speak to many of the cities you listed, the Hamptons are considered part of NYC in the summer time just because so many people from Manhattan spend there summers there. The kids that came over from Ireland would get together to share a house for the season. They were called "summer shares" and you can advertise or look for room mates on websites like www.Craigslist.com.
Reply to this 1. It will depend on where you're trying to drink. You won't be able to purchase alcohol or liquor at any stores unless you have a fake I.D, and a British accent and fake US drivers license is a rather dumb idea. University area bars/pubs tend to be more lenient than nicer bars in downtown areas. At the same time, if you're dressed smart and acting appropriate many bartenders in downtown bars won't ask, but if you're looking to get drunk and party, that type of behavior isn't acceptable in those venues. Most underage students drink at house-parties.
2. Employment is really tricky right now, but the service industry is one of the few that is still hiring. That will be your best bet. I wouldn't worry about negative feelings about taking work from an American.
3/4. I agree with suggestions about Craigslist, and can speak for Seattle. Seattle is very accepting of the backpacker/living abroad culture, and if you have money for rent, someone will happily take you on as a roommate. Public transportation is average, but it gets the job done.
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