Bonjour, j'ai entendus plusieurs opinions (positives et négatives) concernant l'organisme SWAP, qui est une entreprise à but non lucrative détenue par les associations étudiantes canadiennes et qui a pour but de faciliter, moyennant quelques centaines de dollars, la vie de ceux qui veulent partir travailler à l'étranger. Jusqu'à tout récemment, j'avais la ferme intention de passer par cet organisme, mais j'ai lu certains commentaires qui remettent ma décision en question.
Par exemple, pour 440$, vous avez accès à un centre d'accueil à Auckland, endroit ou vous pouvez recevoir votre courrier, avoir accès à Internet, avoir accès à plusieurs offres d'emplois et à des formations sur comment rechercher de l'emploi en nouvelle-zélande. En outre, vous pouvez trouver un emploi relié à votre domaine d'étude. Cela comprend également un hébergement de deux jours en arrivant + des services en cas d'urgence (accident, perte de visa, etc..). Finalement, SWAP rempli toute la paperasse pour vous : du permis de travail au billet d'avion, à propos duquel ils affirment avoir accès à des tarifs réduits.
Pour les canadiens du forum, je me demandais si vous faites confiance à cet organisme, car plusieurs personnes affirment que c'est de l'argent perdu car tous ces services sont facile à obtenir par soi-même.
Pour les gens venant d'ailleurs, rien ne vous empêche de donner votre opinion !
SWAP se prétend être un organisme à but non lucratif, mais j'ai quand même des doutes sur ça, enfin bon...
Je n'ai jamais fait affaire avec eux, mais j'y ai pensé pendant plusieurs années (l'organisme était moins connu avant). En parcourant de nombreux forums, et en discutant avec des Canadiens de mon entourage qui sont déjà partis à l'étranger (la plupart, au UK), il est très facile de se débrouiller sans SWAP.
Il faut dire qu'il n'y a pas si longtemps, les informations sur internet concernant la recherche d'emploi et d'hébergement étaient limitées, ainsi que sur les démarches administratives auprès du gouvernement, les accès à internet à l'étranger aussi (lors de mon séjour à Londres en 1999, les cafés internet ça courait pas les coins de rues!). Je pense donc que cet organisme était utile pour aider un jeune à démarrer dans son projet.
Mais aujourd'hui...c'est différent. En 2008, il est possible d'obtenir un visa vacances-travail en quelques minutes sur le site internet des autorités australiennes, Monster n'est plus un secret pour personne, les billets d'avion sont maintenant électroniques et les prix se comparent sur internet, les sites de recherche d'hébergement sont partout dans le cyberspace...Pour une personne le moindrement débrouillarde, il y a moyen de s'y prendre par ses propres moyens.
Je pense que c'est là la différence, et c'est pourquoi la mission de SWAP n'est peut-être plus aussi utile qu'autrefois.
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Je me posais la même question et personnelement, j'ai eu ma réponse aujourd'hui en me rendant a l'un de leur bureau. (Pour faire une histoire courte, je voulais savoir si je devais absolument passer par leur organisme pour obtenir un permis de travail en Irlande ce qui m'a malheureusement été confirmé)
J'ai ensuite jasé un peu avec une employée qui a commencé a essayer de me vendre les mérites du programme:
1) ''C'est nous qui s'organisons de ton billet d'avion et de toute la paperasse qui vient avec !''
(Quelle paperasse ?? N'importe qui peut acheter un billet d'avion en moins de 5 minutes sur Internet. En plus, juste en magasinant un peu, j'étais capable d'obtenir le même vol qu'ils proposent sur leur site Internet mais pour 300 $ de moins !)
2) ''On s'occupe du Visa/Permit de travail et de toute la paperasse''
(Encore une fois, je ne vois pas ce qu'il y a de si comliqué a remplir quelques documents par soi-même et a poster le tout a Ottawa (si seulement c'était possible !)
3) ''On s'occupe de te booker 2 nuits dans une auberge de jeunesse''
(même chançon que d'habitude; une carte de crédit + un accès a Internet et je peux le faire tranquile chez moi en 5 minutes. )
4) ''On est la pour toi une fois la-bas, t'as accès a pleins de services d'aide ect...ect..ect...''
(J'ai lu assez de témoignages pour savoir que premièrement, ce n'est même pas SWAP en tant que tel qui est la-bas mais plutot des ''alliés'' et deuxièmement, ils ne t'aident pas tant que ça.)
J'ai donc terminé mon entretient en affirmant que j'étais décu de voir que j'étais obligé de passer par eux et de payer les yeux de la tête (600 $ que ca me couterais juste pour SWAP) simplement pour avoir un permis de travail dans ce pays; sur ce, je me suis fait répondre que je n'avais qu'a changer de pays et que ce n'étais pas leur probleme.
Bref, mon orgueil (et mon portefeuil) me disent de laisser tomber et d'aller ailleurs mais l'coeur voudrait quand même continuer l'aventure.
Merci, je suis déja sur Google Earth pour explorer de nouvelles possibilités lol !
* * Notes, je n'ai rien de personnel contre SWAP. Je suis sur que pleins de gens peuvent trouver leur compte et profiter de ce programme mais ce n'est définitivement pas pour moi.(et pour mon portefeuil) 😏
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For some time now, I’ve been seriously considering moving to the United States. My long-term goal is to practice medicine in the U.S., with a particular interest in forensic pathology. I know the journey is demanding (USMLE, residency, fellowship, etc.), but I’m ready to commit to several years of hard work.
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- What are, in your opinion, the pitfalls to avoid when planning such a project?
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Hi everyone, so I’m planning to go study at a community college in the U.S., but the only snag is which one—there are so many options over there! I’ve heard about one in California, Diablo Valley College, and another in Florida, Valencia College. I know both states are super attractive for tourism, but my main criteria are teaching quality and price. I’m open to any advice, comments, or suggestions—thanks in advance! The start of the semester is coming up, and I’m a little nervous...
READY, SET...... GO...... TO YOUR KEYBOARDS!!!!!!!! lol
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