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We are very excited you have chosen the AIDE as your program
provider! AIDE is an educational travel organization devoted
to expanding the horizons of people of all ages through experiencing
another culture. Based in Austin, Texas, AIDE offers a wide
range of programs. AIDE was launched as a not for profit sister
organization of Alliance Abroad Group (AAG), in order to expand
upon the programs historically offered by the AAG Outbound
Department. As a not for profit AIDE aims to reach a larger
audience, and has more than 16 years of experience in offering
programs abroad due to its previous home in the AAG Outbound
Department. Through its affiliation with some of the world’s
oldest and most respected language schools and experiential
education programs, AIDE has helped thousands of people travel
abroad. The organization provides interesting customized programs
to students and young adults wishing to work, teach or volunteer
in many countries across the world. AIDE prides itself in
being able to offer program flexibility, support, quality
placements, an easy application process and affordable prices.
What Happens Next?
• Within 2-7 business days you should receive an invoice,
sent to you through email, from our AIDE Bookkeeper. Please
keep an eye out for this email! It may be diverted to your
junk mail folder. Your payment is due no later than 60 days
prior to your arrival date. We will not start the placement
process until full payment has been received.
** AIDE is a non-profit organization.
Donations contributed in excess of the fair market value of
services you receive from AIDE may be tax deductible. Please
consult your tax adviser.
• Once the program fee is paid
in full, your application is submitted to the local coordinator
to begin matching you to an appropriate project and host family.
Placements are typically confirmed 2-6 weeks prior to your
arrival date. However, due to the fact that we are working
with another culture, you may need to be flexible about receiving
your placement, and a job offer may be received less than
two weeks prior to your preferred arrival date if you wish
to arrive in the high season.
• We will send you pre-departure
orientation materials for your review. It is very important
that you carefully review all materials that are sent to you.
Ask if you have any questions!
• We cannot guarantee any specific
start dates. The way it usually works is that participants
either wait to purchase their plane ticket until they have
received and accepted their job offer, or they go ahead and
purchase their plane tickets in advance. If you do buy your
flight in advance, then please be aware there may be a change
of date fee if you have to change your flight to arrive at
a later date. We then work to find you a placement that will
start on the day you arrive in the UK. If you would like to
spend some time traveling before you go to placement, this
is fine you just need to let us know what day it is that you
plan to start your work placement when you pay your program
fee. There is the chance that a placement may not be found
for you at the time of your arrival, however in these instances
we usually find a placement within a few days of your arrival
in the UK. This happens extremely rarely, but it is something
important to keep in mind.
Once you have purchased airline tickets,
you must email us your complete itinerary. It is very important
that you include details such as airline, flight number, connecting
airports, time and day of arrival and the day you plan to
leave England. We use this information to arrange for your
airport pick up and insurance. IMPORTANT – your insurance
will not be activated until we receive your flight details.
• Once your placement is found,
we will send you the details of the placement for your approval.
It is important to us that you are matched up with the best
placement so you can have the experience you are seeking.
Once you have read over the project description, you will
need to send back your approval and agreement to the terms
of the project. This can be done by sending an email stating
your acceptance of the terms of the project. The email serves
as an “electronic signature.”
• Once we have received your
project approval and complete flight details, you are ready
to start your adventure!
Meet
the staff
We are here to support you throughout your entire program.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
We are here to help. Remember, we cannot fix a problem if
we do not know about it.
AIDE
1221 S. Mopac Expressway, Suite 100
Austin, TX 78746 USA
Fax: 1- 512-857-1108
Tel: 1-866-6ABROAD
Skylar King – Program Coordinator
Telephone: 1-866-6ABROAD or (512) 904-1137
Email: skylar@aideabroad.com
Kimberly Wied – Program Manager
Telephone: 1-866-6ABROAD or (512) 904-1147
Email: kim@aideabroad.com
Arriving in England
We generally recommend
that you do not purchase your airline ticket until a placement
has been found and your visa has been approved. However, we
understand the desire to purchase tickets early to avoid higher
fares. If you do decide to purchase your airline tickets prior
to receiving your placement, you will be responsible for any
additional costs incurred as a result. You need to be prepared
to support yourself in England if you arrive prior to your
placement.
For American citizens only, you will need to attend a BUNAC
orientation in central London. This orientation takes place
in the morning, Monday through Friday. During this orientation
you will get your work permit validated, learn the details
of the British tax system, minimum wage, and how to open a
bank account (This is in addition to the info you are provided
in the handbook that comes with the work permit from BUNAC).
Please keep this required orientation in mind when planning
your program dates. If you are working outside of London for
the duration of your program, you may need to spend a night
in London in order to attend. If you are working within London,
you could move into your work accommodations, begin working,
and attend orientation on one of your days off.
Visa Documentation
American citizens will need to apply for a BUNAC Blue Card
Visa. This visa will allow you to work in the UK for a maximum
of 6 months. If at the end of your 6 months you decide that
you would like to extend your stay, you may leave the country
for 72 hours, and return as a tourist. This will allow you
to stay for 90 additional days, however you will not be permitted
to work during this time.
Please note an important new
requirement for Entry Clearance to the UK
- if you plan to leave the UK at any point before September
30, 2008, you will need to apply for entry clearance to re-enter
England on a work visa (for your BUNAC Blue Card visa to remain
valid).
*This means if you arrive in the UK before September 30,
2008 to work for a few months, and then would like to take
a holiday to another country for a weekend, you will need
to apply for Entry Clearance before you leave the United States.
This is only applicable if you plan to return to work after
your holiday - if you plan to return as a tourist only (meaning
that you can not legally work in the UK), you do not need
to apply for Entry Clearance before leaving the United States.
In this case, upon your return to the UK you would be granted
a tourist visa only.
* If you would like to apply for Entry Clearance providing
you are eligible to receive a Blue Card, you will receive
the Blue Card in the mail, which then must accompany your
entry clearance application and should be sent to the nearest
UK Mission in Chicago, Los Angeles or New York. The entry
clearance fee is approximately £205
(approximately $435 USD) plus $12 postage.
You will be required to make a biometrics appointment during
the online application. Locations for biometrics are in every
state. This biometric information consists of scans of all
10 of your fingers and a full-face digital photograph.
All expenses incurred during the application process for entry
clearance to the United Kingdom are the sole responsibility
of the applicant and are nonrefundable.
To view more information on
this procedure, and to view the online application please
click
here
You can also view form VAF2 by clicking
here
Once you have paid your program fee, we will send you the
Blue Card Visa application form. You must complete the first
page of the form, and return it to the Outbound Department
at AIDE with a $290 money order made out to BUNAC. We will
send your visa application to BUNAC with the necessary documents.
Once this is done, your visa approval should take about 5
business days. BUNAC will not mail a visa to an address outside
of the USA. Please remember that to be eligible for this visa
you must be currently enrolled as a full time student at an
accredited university, or be departing for England no more
than 6 months from your graduation. If you decide to postpone
your program, it is important to make sure you will still
be eligible.
Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand citizens may apply
for a Working Holiday Maker visa. This visa will allow you
to work in the UK for up to a year. It is also extended for
an additional year during which time you may travel and enjoy
a holiday in the UK. Once your program fee is paid, AIDE will
send you instructions on how to apply for the visa. You may
apply for the visa online. Most WHM visas are processed with
48 hours; however, please check with the British consulate
in your home country.
Please note important new requirement for submitting biometric
information - In some countries currently, including Canada
– and in all countries by April 2008 – you will
need to provide ‘biometric’ information as part
of the visa application process. This biometric information
consists of scans of all 10 of your fingers and a full-face
digital photograph. You will have to go to the nearest VAC
(visa application center) in person to provide this biometric
information. In those countries where there is no VAC, you
will need to go to the British mission. Your visa applications
will not be processed until you have provided the necessary
biometric information. The finger scans are electronic so
staff does not need to use any ink, liquid or chemicals. You
will have your digital photograph taken at the same time and
the whole procedure should take no more than five minutes
to complete. You should make sure that you do not have any
decoration (such as henna), or any cuts or other markings
on your fingertips before having your finger scans. You should
also make sure that if you have any cuts and bruises on your
face, they have healed or disappeared before you have your
photograph taken. Digital photographs must be of your full
face and you should not wear sunglasses, a hat or any other
head covering (unless you wear it for cultural or religious
reasons).
For more information the Working Holiday Maker visa and application
procedure, please click
here
For additional information on the biometric requirement,
please click
here
If you are Canadian, Biometric Data Centers are located in:
Edmonton, Halifax, Ottowa, Toronto
and Vancouver
AIDE does not have any authority to grant visas and cannot
be held responsible for any problems related to obtaining
a visa.
Insurance
One of the benefits of booking your trip through AIDE is that
we provide excellent travel insurance, which covers health,
accidents and prescriptions for medical issues which develop
during your program. You are also covered for emergency evacuation
related to medical necessity. Please note that pre-existing
conditions are not covered, and you also will be responsible
for a deductible. The Outbound Program Manager will give you
an insurance card with insurance carrier contact information
to have during your trip. Details of the coverage can be found
on the AIDE website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is my job going to be like?
We place most people in pubs around the London area.
Placements can be in central London, or on the outskirts of
the tube map. Your duties will vary, but usually include waiting
tables, bartending, attending to customers, cleaning, etc.
If you have never waited tables before, you will be surprised
at how physically and mentally demanding this job will be.
It will take some time to get used to the long hours and hard
work that goes along with being in the hospitality industry.
Prior to your departure, you will be provided with the average
number of hours and days a week you will work. However, this
is not a definite number, and you may need to work more during
soccer matches, holidays, or if the pub is short handed.
What are the accommodations like?
Most positions include accommodations attached to the pub,
or the accommodations will be very close to the pub. You should
expect your accommodations to be very basic. England is a
very old country and the buildings will be very different
from what you are used to. Other employees lived in your room
before you, and unfortunately we have no control on how they
may leave their living area for the next person (you may need
to clean when you get there). However, we ask that you be
courteous and respectful, and keep your area clean and tidy
throughout your stay.
How much will the accommodations cost?
Accommodations typically cost between 25-75 pounds per week,
averaging 50 pounds per week. This is a subsidized rate. However,
it is most common for your manager to deduct your living expense
from your paycheck.
What is the trial period?
You are subject to a trial period of 2 weeks where the employer
will assess your skills and ability to fit into the company.
It is up to you to show your employer that you will be an
asset to their company. If you do not, you may risk termination.
We cannot guarantee another job placement if you are terminated
from your first position for any reason.
Are there any expectations of me, as the participant?
Yes! This is a WORK program. It must be treated just like
any other job. You cannot simply not show up, or leave your
position without going through the proper channels first.
If there is a problem the first solution is always to speak
with your manager and co-workers. If after trying to resolve
the situation with your manager you are still not happy with
your placement, please inform the in-country coordinators
and AIDE. We will do everything we can to help you find another
placement. Do not leave the program. Employers expect reliable
workers; this is why they are hiring you!
Do I need to get any immunizations before I leave?
AIDE does not require any proof of immunizations, however
we do recommend that you research which ones are needed for
England based on your past immunization history. The Center
for Disease Control has an excellent website about health
and travel at: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.htm.
You should always consult with your doctor about what immunizations
he or she recommends for England. This is important as you
do not want any medications or immunizations to conflict with
any current or past treatment. You should take care of any
immunizations 4-6 weeks prior to your arrival as many immunizations
require booster shots, or take some time to be effective.
Do I have to do anything after the program is over?
Yes, as part of AIDE's Work in England Program, you are required
to complete an evaluation form at the conclusion of your program.
You will receive the form by email shortly after you return.
It is very important to us to hear about your experiences.
It helps us improve our programs, and will ultimately help
all the participants that follow you. You can also find the
evaluation form on our website, here: http://www.aideabroad.org/connections/participants/evaluation.asp
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