THE US student work and travel programme may be kicking into gear, but there are other options for students seeking to broaden their horizons this summer. A summer working in Europe can be combined with inter railing, the US offers summer camp work schemes in addition to the J1 and, for those afflicted with conscience, there are a number of voluntary work options.
For those considering Britain or mainland Europe, computer and language skills or a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification appear to be passports to a degree of employability. "Anyone who is any way proficient in computers or languages can get decent jobs," says Fiona Kenny, employment officer in UCD students union. "But then anyone who is any way proficient can get a decent job here during the summer.
There has been an upsurge of interest in Britain as a summer work destination, says Kenny, following a couple of lean years. Again, temping in the computer sector seems to be a good bet. Elsewhere, a fall off in opportunities in Germany and Holland has been balanced to some degree by possibilities in Spain and Italy.
The Community and Youth Information Service in Dublin (01-878 6844) and USIT (01-679 8833) provide information on summer work abroad, although USIT is still working on its information packs. Local students unions will also be able to assist with advice and possible contacts.
A THUMBNAIL GUIDE TO WORK ABROAD
FRANCE:
France has never been a particularly easy option for those seeking summer work and accommodation costs remain high. In the past up to 5,000 Irish students have travelled to France each summer, although as much as 50 per cent may have been seeking work as au pairs while the more successful among the rest were absorbed into the hotel and catering industry. Migrant workers have taken many of the fruit picking jobs which used to provide work for students. Eurodisney remains an option but wages are comparatively low at around 7-8,000 francs a month.
GERMANY:
Wage rates have traditionally been high in Germany and, at one point, Munich alone was absorbing 2,500 Irish students each summer. The good old days of Germany providing students with a ready source of work are now largely gone: immigrant workers and former East Germans are now competing for the fairly menial work that was the usual lot of the Irish student, while accommodation costs have continued to rise.
"A lot of jobs are now advertised through FAS," says Kenny. "A lot of them are hotel jobs and they are not very well paid. You have people coming out with £140 per week, which by German standards is quite low, and that's for long hours working as a chambermaid."
Students with German, fluent English and computer skills stand a better chance - although they frequently have to arrange work in advance - while TEFL jobs are well paid but require a suitable qualification. "The days of huge amounts of students going over to Europe, staying on a campsite for four days and getting a job are definitely gone," says Kenny.
The state employment agencies, the Arbeitsamter, may be able to provide some assistance to German speakers.
HOLLAND:
Bulb picking, harvesting and fruit/vegetable canning are the most likely sources of employment for students but they all involve very hard work and there is a great deal of competition for places. Students could spend three weeks looking for work and accommodation is not easy to find.
SPAIN / ITALY:
Spain has improved a lot in recent year, says Kenny. TEFL is the big growth area here, particularly in Barcelona. Northern Italy also offers work teaching English, as well as childminding and bar work.
USA:
Apart from the J1 option, students can also travel to the US to work in summer camps on a separate scheme. BUNAC (0044 171251 3472) is the administrator of this scheme, with work from mid June to the end of August for students and non-students aged 19/2-35. Room, board and return flights are all covered by BUNAC but the salary is low, probably not more than, $500-$600 for the season. The main advantage is that those on the scheme can travel around the US for up to six weeks after the camps close.
