An Update

[greensweatergirl]

I haven't been on this site for nearly six months but I thought I'd wander in. I'd like to hear from anybody I talked to before (marbear, flugelhorn, snowgirl, and other people I'm sure I'm missing) and see what you're up to, so please write.

I've been in England with my boyfriend for six months now. I'm still plodding away at my course and am now 1/4 done my publishing program. Hooray! I had one interview for an editing job in Birmingham but it didn't pan out unfortunately. They realized my qualifications were foreign mid interview, and, yeah...

BUT!

I've just recently landed a job as a support assistant at the local college, where I'll be helping students with various learning disabilities, so I'm looking forward to that. The extra money and having somewhere to go every day will be lovely!

The boyfriend is still as fantastic as ever. I keep wondering why he likes me so much and when he's going to wise up to the fact that he's with, well, me. He sauntered in the other day with a dress he bought for me and a ticket for a half day at the spa. I keep looking around for the other girlfriend.

He also got promoted at his work, so he's happy about that. He has to have an operation in the fall, so he's not happy about that.

I go to the gym a lot and am now a badminton/yoga/swimming machine. Other than that, I'm still looking for close friends. His sister is awesome though and knows everything about every movie ever made.

[flugelhorn]

I can't deny I haven't been very active on here myself but I've returned recently! & now here you are too, yay!

I'm so glad to hear things are going well! Are you still in Northampton? I hope you like the new job, it sounds great. I hope you can find some closer friends, have you tried Meetup?

Wait, what do you mean by "they realized my qualifications were foreign mid interview"? They didn't want to hire you because you studied outside of the UK? This worries me....

Not to 'hijack' your thread but an update from me in a nutshell: I graduated from university in June (feels so good!) & I've been working here & there over the summer to save money. I'll be working for TIFF for 10 days in September which should be fun! I've also been interning at a few places to gain more experience in my field (art/ media/ design). Just last week I submitted my first round of documents for my visa... I'm looking forward to hearing back from SWAP then heading over to the UK in October! Somedays I am overwhelmed with joy & other days I am totally afraid... especially when I think about packing!

[greensweatergirl]

Congratulations on graduating! Sounds like you're up to loads of things! Where have you been interning? What's TIFF? And you're not hijacking, I actually want to know what everyone has been doing.

Yes I'm still in Northampton. I've been to a few meetups, but I'm still looking for someone I click with, if that makes sense. I was even offered an interview for an editing job by someone I met at a meetup, but it was in London and only two days a week so it wouldn't have covered transportation costs.

Unfortunately I find there is definitely discrimination from some companies about the fact that I am not English and/or don't have an English degree. While visiting one school to drop off my application the interviewer made the point that they weren't interested in hiring anyone who hadn't grown up in the area, which pretty much negated their equal opportunity for people of all nationalities, blah blah blah disclosure I'd signed 2 minutes before and which they really should be following as they're part of the council. I had one recruiting company tell me straight up that they wouldn't register me because I had no "English" experience (because doing data entry in Canada is SO different ) As for the editing interview, I was having the BEST (telephone) interview of my life, the interviewer was incredibly enthusiastic about me, but when I mentioned "studying in Toronto" the silence on the phone was unmistakable. I could hear a ruffling of papers. She asked "So...you've never studied in the UK?" And I just...knew. My interview was amazing. The job needed someone with experience of teaching grammar to non-native speakers (their Indian editing department), a background in editing North American English, and a degree, all of which I have. I just don't believe that the 6 people who got to the 2nd round (in Birmingham) had also taught English to foreigners and knew North American style guide rules and interviewed better, I just don't.

I had other interviews and I can see why I failed or why there would be candidates better than me. But the editing one...yeah, something was definitely off.

Oh yeah, there is one deplorable excuse for a lady in my yoga class who continues to ask "Why are there Yanks in our class?" every week to the air, refuses to look at me, and is just a biotch in general.

I hope I haven't scared or depressed you. Most people here truly don't give a damn that I'm Canadian. The stuff I talked about above happened over six months. And I think a big part of it is I live in a small town where some people have small town mentalities.

If I could do one thing over though, it would be to look for volunteer and intern work from the get-go, instead of just job opportunities. I knew finding a job would be tough but I didn't think it would take six months. And volunteering would have meant the more anal recruiting agencies couldn't have just ignored me. And if I could do a second thing, I'd ask people about companies they know that have a diverse work force. It's how I found out about the job I just got, after throwing in the towel with another not-so-accepting recruiting agency. Sorry, hope you don't mind the advice. I think London will be a different kettle of fish given how international it is, but those two things might still be worth doing!

[Tooki]

That sucks to hear . Do you have a British Work Permit? That might play a factor into why they wouldn't hire you. They need to be able to justify why you should be hired over a local.

Í'll end up having this problem when I move to Europe. Looks like I will need to do extra study urgh.

[snow_girl]

Sorry you've been having a tough time with jobs and locals. I haven't had any trouble with people, they usually are really nice when I tell them where I am from. Northampton is a bit of a shit hole though isn't it? Might explain why you haven't had the warmest welcome. My SO fell asleep on the way home one night and woke up in Northampton, he was not pleased so he wondered the streets until the trains started running again at 5am.

[flugelhorn]

TIFF is the Toronto International Film Festival! Arguably the best time to be in Toronto - the city is buzzing & the weather is usually really good. I'm also excited to see tons of films!

That sucks about the job hunt but Tooki is right, they do need to be able to justify why you should be hired over a local. I'm sure you'll get something in your field soon, just keep working at it!

Tell that lady "I'm not a Yank, I'm a Canuck!" How rude. Most Brits love Canadians so I find that very strange.

I have enough money saved up to live for three months if I don't find a job... I figure if I get really desperate I can find some short-term work for the holiday season (if not, well, on to the next thing!). I do have a few plans up my sleeve with regards to volunteering & networking so hopefully they work out! Thanks for all your advice, it's great. Since coming back to this forum I'm getting more excited to go.

[greensweatergirl]

You're working for the Toronto Film Festival!? I'm jealous. What are you doing with them?

I don't think companies need to justify hiring me over a local, because I'm on a YMS visa and not a Tier 2 visa or whatever it is. Most jobs advertisements will tell you straight up to not apply if you need sponsorship with a work permit because the job wouldn't qualify. But anyway, I'm looking forward to starting at the college. I actually had another interview today for a temporary job doing research on dementia patients, and it would work with my schedule because my other job is so flexible with how much you work. I really want it but I'm trying not to get my hopes up, because I know how often I've been rejected by companies. Snowgirl, did you find work? I remember you saying you'd headed back to Canada for a bit.

I actually like Northampton as a city. It's the right size for me. I do feel like there's an obscene amount of pregnant 16 year olds wandering downtown during the day, but other than that it's nice. Everywhere is walkable, it's cheap as hell, it has everything you need (a theatre, a gym, lots of restaurants) and there's lots of nice villages, parks just outside the town. I think I'm just old and jaded. I've lived in 4 cities in the last year and I've realized where you are doesn't matter, it's who's there and what you make of things. That said, me and the boyfriend's very, very, very long term plan is to retire in Bath.

[flugelhorn]

I'm just on a one month contract with TIFF doing front of house work at one of the venues, so nothing fancy! I've worked in a theatre for over 4 years so I had very applicable experience. This is another one of my backup plans in London, to work in a theatre, as there are many....

I LOVE Bath! Isn't it gorgeous? When it's sunny there is no better place to be! My SO & I had our first date in Bath.

[Haley53]

Even if it wasn't all positive (and I can't contribute to it), it was really nice to read an update from you! I have been wondering how you've been. The research with dementia patients seems great. I'm envious! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you on that one!

[greensweatergirl]

Thanks Eclaire! What are you up to? My mind is telling me you had plans to visit your boyfriend this summer. How's that going?

Flugelhorn- I've never been to Bath actually. I think I've just watched too many Jane Austen miniseries and have decided it's the place to be.

[flugelhorn]

Honestly, you MUST go!! I bet it's lovely in the fall! Can you get there easily by train from Northampton?? It is a perfect day trip.