Participant's Story

Tony worked in construction; he was a labourer and a handyman with 2 years work experience before leaving for London. Tony saved $4,500 dollars and was aged 28.

I decided to go to London but I had no idea where to start. I hadn’t saved up for the trip so my funds were limited. My biggest concern was money.  I knew I would need to find a job and accommodation as soon as I arrived, before my money ran out.

I did the research looking on all the local websites and job boards, which advertised accommodation and work. This was a very long and taxing exercise and I was no closer to securing a job or accommodation as I was getting the same responses from everyone. ‘Are you in London? Call us when you get here!’ This made me more nervous as the uncertainty and anxiety kept growing. 

It was at this point when I decided to check out CCUSA. Their Work Exchange Program offered me a job guarantee, a bank account, a phone card, accommodation and everything else that I would possibly need to start my stay in London.

Within a week, I had job security, accommodation booked and 15 days later my visa arrived, happy days!! I felt like I had won the lottery after spending so much time searching. I was pleased to leave behind my old life and move on to greener pastures. When the plane left the runway I sat back and felt all the weight drop off my shoulders and for the first time in months, I smiled…something good was about to happen!!!

I arrived at Heathrow at 5.55am on a winter’s morning. I had never seen so many people all pushing and shoving trying to get out the gates. I had a massive suitcase, a surfboard and a guitar, which was making it hard to find my way to the tube station. If I were to do this, again I would pack very lightly.
Before I departed from home, I had received a booking confirmation with directions on how to get to the London office. Once I arrived at the office, I was welcomed by the program staff waiting for me. 

I paid my two weeks deposit and one weeks rent, which I thought was great as I remembered in my research that all the other accommodation asked for one month’s deposit and one month’s rent. I was taken to my accommodation and met all my housemates, I was happy to find we were all from the same country. We all seemed to get on really well right from the word go. I shared a room with a guy called Jason and he was into his footy so needless to say on the first night I don’t remember much!

My first week in London involved meeting and greeting for work opportunities and to my delight I started work within a week of arriving. I was working in furniture removal and at the time earning £420 a week. This was great because my accommodation was only £80 a week and I had no bills to pay. I was really lucky to start working so soon as my money was running out fast. London is not cheap. In my first week, I remember spending around $1,000 on deposits, transport, food, bedding, taxis and going out. By the time I received my first pay I had nearly spent all my initial savings just on living.

I recommend anyone who wants the London experience to go for it. I had the time of my life and I met some awesome people.