My son wants to spend the Summer somewhere outside the United States - preferably in Europe or Australia. Do you know of any books/resources that we can review on this topic? Any advice on getting a work VISA? (especially in England & Australia). I'd like for my son to obtain temporary employment, and not spend all his time (and my money) traveling. Any comments or recommendations on this topic would be helpful.

How about by starting out making him take responsibility for this endeavor? Tell him if he wants to work in another country it is his responsibility to line it up and make it happen.

My son didn't work, just traveled in Europe. Make sure his passport is valid for a year after he comes home - with all these security concerns you never know.

Also check if the health insurance is worldwide, and ask how it works - some of them require out-of-pocket pre-payment to be reimbursed later. He knows to keep all the paperwork, just in case, right?

Arrange things like cell phone, joint bank account so you can deposit money for his ATM withdrawal, make sure you have correct digits on his ATM - I think only 4 work in European countries.

Young people always promise to call, write, whatever, just to get out So you need some kind of sturdy connection as he may "forget" to call. Can't help you on that as I had his friend's mom phone number and threatened to call if he doesn't

I don't know how to obtain a work permit, but I'd start with the phone book or websites to see where are the closest consulates in your area.

GoTravel, I'm simply trying to facilitate my son's ambitions to travel overseas. I think there's a lot to be learned from such an experience, but I doubt that the majority of teenagers would consider all of the issues that need to be planned in advance.

I'd decide on a particular country. I would think that it would be much easier to get a job in a US territory than a foreign country. His chances of legally obtaining a work permit are small unless he is hired by a company here that has a branch overseas.

I do really think that if he wants to do this, he should be responsible for the logistics.

2bama, have you posted this on the Europe Board? There are several expats living in Europe now and they should have some good advice.

Aarrgh!!

There are several posters on the Europe Board that are American expats living in Europe currently that could offer you some great advice.

When I was 19 I worked for a year in Quang ngai province. The job stunk, the pay was poor and the accomendations left a lot to be desired. Luckily, most of my daily and night time activities were planned for me. Although it was quite an experience I do would not wish it on others. My job ended after 1 year and I came home. Many of my co workers did not come home with me. Summer in Europe, no big deal.

Not to be presumptuous, but c'mon now-- he's 19, not 9!! When I was 19, I was a junior in college, planning study abroad in Spain and working summers to pay for it. And I planned it myself.

How about your would-be world traveler start researching here:

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-...udent_travel-i

Links to all sorts of student travel resources. Make him find out how to get a passport and what-not. There are even sites on how to get jobs when abroad (and without a local company sponsoring him for a work permit, it'll be "illegal" work).

Oh, and of course, give him a link to the Jobs Available site for your local newspaper. Make him spend at least some of his money to fund this little adventure. It's all worthwhile!

When I was 19, with the blessing of my parents, but without any help from them, I bought a one-way ticket to London, and spent the better part of a year pedaling (bicycle) and working my way around europe. Seriously, it won't be the experience you hope for him unless you stay as far away from it as possible.

I recommend you read and/or have your son post on www.lonelyplanet.com. Their travel bulletin board similar to this one is called "The Thorn Tree". But, believe me, the 19 year olds you'll find there are planning the trips themselves - staying in youth hostels, backpacking, etc.

Legal working papers are tricky, with different requirements for each country. You could go to government websites for the UK and Australia and find out the specifics there.

Don't really want to pile on here - (but I'll go ahead anyway). He is nineteen -- that is an adult. He is not some high school freshman wanting to go on a field trip. Tell him to register on here and post his own questions (he'll likely get more reliable answers on the Europe and Australia/Pacific forums)

I'll second the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forums recommendation. There is a FAQ thread at the top of each branch of the forum where your son can find links to visa information.

From what I've read there, it is harder to obtain a working holiday visa in Australia if you're from the US because we don't have the reciprocal agreements they have with some of the European countries. One option is WWOOFing (Willing Workers on Organic Farms). He won't necessarily earn a wage, but the jobs supply room and board.

Lee Ann

What about him taking a college course from a university in Europe or Austrailia? That way he would have some structure (and responsibility!) Your local college should have info about this.

Another plan would be for him to work here for a month or so next summer and then spend a month abroad.

Agree that a 19-year old should be organizing this himself. At that age my boyfriend and I did 6 weeks all over europe - paid as well as planned for.

Separately, for a foreigner to obtain a job in the UK (not sure about Oz) legally is next to impossible - unless hired in the US by an american company - or with a very specific and needed skill. If you are thinking of an under the table job (waiter, bartender etc) this may be possible - if your son can charm well enough to talk himself into one - but it is illegal and strictly cash under the table.

I read this thread strictly out of curiosity - I have no information to offer the original poster.

However, the original poster is asking for some suggestions on books and resources, or comments and recommendations. With the exception of a few people offering helpful advice, she gets lambasted for assisting her son. You have no idea if the kid is doing most of the research himself and him mother is just helping him out a little bit. And maybe she's doing the whole thing for him. Who's business is that but hers?

Funny, someone just posted about wanting some new blood around here. Then when we get some, they get run off..... sheesh!

i second the notion of some kind os study abroad (If your son is a college student.)

My daughter did a semester in Spain and is going to France for more college credits. All offered thru her university, very organized programs.

I dont know what your son's school status is, but if he's a student he might want to check on studies abroad programs at his school. I do know that Rotary International sponsers students for overeas trips. At age 19 he may not be eligible for some countries.

By going thru a program at school, he will have assistance with everythng from passports to accomodations. My son spent his Junior high school year overseas and was given help with a famuly to stay with, spending money, transportation and was placed into a pretty good school in his host city/

I agree that at age 19 he should be doing most of this, but you already know that.

sam

Summer vacation is what, 10 or 12 weeks? He should either travel, or work, but not plan to do both. Maybe he can work part-time this spring to help finance the adventure.

Intersting. Over the years we have all
at one time or another seen posts that begin " My firend is thinking of...." doing whatever...not once have I seen someone write back & say "Well, why doesn't your frined post here?" Or, "Why are you do ing the work for your friend?" And, yet a Mum asks for help for her son ( who cares if he's 9 or 19???) & she gets hammered. I agree w/ BuffaloGirl....