Travelling Across America.

[xAsh]

Heya guys. I've just turned 19 and really fancy travelling across america. I've got �2000 of savings. If you've done the same or can help i'd appreciate it. I'd like to go there for 6 months or so, but i need a job obviously out there to earn as i move place to place.

Basically i want to know how much i'd need to start off with. If i took my whole 2k, would this be ok? I just fancy looking at different places, experiencing the USA culture. I know it seems strange that a 19 year old wants to do this at that early age, but it's a dream of mine. It does scare me a bit going there by myself, but at the same time exciting.

Also is it easy to get part time work out there? What kind of visa would i need if i need one? and what is accomodation like there. Hostels etc etc? Just any really information that you could give to a inexperienced 19 year old traveller. Is there any really beautiful places that you would recommend and places you'd say 'stay away from'?

I'd just love to experience america, and maybe meet a my soulmate there too :)!

I've asked a lot of questions i know lol.
Thank you very much my friends.

xAsh

[Buenchico]

I'm sorry to dent your enthusiasm but you won't be permitted to work (legally) in the USA. Unlike some other countries (e.g. Australia and New Zealand), the USA doesn't issue 'working holiday' visas. You can only get a visa for temporary employment in order "to perform a prearranged professional or highly skilled job" or "to fill a temporary position for which there is a shortage of U.S. workers":
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/ working.html

Forget the USA. Combine Australia with NZ. You'll have a great time and, unlike our American cousins, they actually speak a language which approximates to English ;-)

Chris

[xAsh]

Thanks Chris, always fancied going to Oz too.


If you've been there (it sounds as if you have), what's it like.

Is it friendly, cheapish, would 2k be enough? Basically what i've written above.

Thanks Chris.

[jno]

Australia and NZ have strong backpacker cultures so there are lots of youth hostels to stay in. Food is generally cheaper than in Britain.

http://www.yha.co.nz/default

http://www.yha.com.au/

You may need a fair chunk of your money to get there - flights start from �400ish in the offseason, I think, more to NZ as it's further. However it's generally fairly easy to get short-term work in both countries and to travel around - though you might like to make more specific enquiries, google searches etc before you go. Make sure you have insurance of some sort. Also, have a look at gap year websites; many may give you useful ideas.

[jno]

oh, a couple of other things. Remember the seasons are reversed down under. And don't DARE criticise Australia when you're there unless you can do it in a non-British accent!

[JK2]

When my nephew did it he got a round ticket that allowed him to stop off in LA & I think Fiji on the way out to New Zealand - worked in NZ & travelled for months then went on to Australia where he worked and also travelled and later returned the other way stoppping off in a couple of places in the Far East. Took him 2 years and he had a great time.

[xAsh]

Ok thankyou my friends.

Australia does sound appealing.

Thanks for your help guys, really appreciate it.

[Buenchico]

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, I've been to Oz but it was a long time ago, so I can't really give you any prices. (It looks like others are doing that anyway).

However, I will recommend that you find time to visit Perth. It's the most isolated city in the world. Excluding the neighbouring communities, such as Freemantle (which is effectively a suburb of Perth), the distance to the next nearest town or city of any size is the same as from London to North Africa. Perth has a unique culture and it's a great tourist base for things like trips into the Red Desert. Western Australia is where you'll see kangaroos hopping across the roads and meet people (possibly with corks hanging from their hats) who go gold-prospecting every weekend. (Don't be fooled into thinking it's a 'backwater'. It's also where you'll meet more millionaires than anywhere else in Oz). I've met middle-aged people from Sydney who've never seen a kangaroo. Around Perth, they're a routine traffic hazard!

See here for information about Western Australia:
http://www.westernaustralia.com/

See here for information about visas (for working holidays) to Oz:
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holida y/index.htm

I've not been to NZ but I've heard great things about the country. Details of the working holiday scheme are here:
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/ work/workingholiday/unitedkingdomworkingholida yscheme.htm

I also endorse the idea of investigating the cost of a 'round the world' ticket. These usually work by permitting you an unlimited number of flights, for a specified period (often a yea

[Buenchico]

. . . often a year), as long as you keep travelling in the same direction (either east or west). You could then earn some money in Oz & NZ before visiting the USA.

Chris

(I really hate it when AB cuts off the end of posts without any warning!)

[puzzled54]

Why not look into working at a summer camp in America? Look at ccusa in google. You have to pay towards the air fare, but are then covered by their insurance and they help with getting a visa. Basically, you work at a camp with kids for the summer (and get paid for it) then you are free to travel around america afterwards, but for a limited time only. It would certainly give you a taste of living the american way, and you'd meet lots of other people around your own age. I'd do it if I was your age!