Cultural Embrace provides a great opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the UK. Have fun working with people your age from all around the world...and get paid for it! Instead of encountering the typical frustrations of getting the proper work permit and then finding an appropriate job in a foreign country, let us help you!  Cultural Embrace will organize your job, accommodations, arrival details and visa prior to departure. We want you to go confidently to the United Kingdom with ease and security, so that you can appreciate the true essence of why you are there: to experience, explore, and embrace!

Cultural Embrace arranges guaranteed paid work in the United Kingdom's hospitality industry. Placements are primarily in rural and isolated areas of England, Scotland, northern Ireland, and Wales. We recommend that applicants keep an open mind regarding their geographical location. You can work in hotels, pubs, resorts, inns, restaurants, other catering establishments, campsites, theme parks, etc; and work approximately 40 hours per week. You will receive a worker’s allowance that is more than enough to cover your accommodations, food, national insurance, taxes, and pocket expenses. Job possibilities include: server, bartender, dishwasher, food preparer, receptionist, porter, guest relations staff, and many others. Chef/culinary positions are occasionally available and are dependent upon experience.

Due to European Union work visa regulations, positions for American citizens are limited to students or recent graduates for a minimum of three months and maximum duration of six months. Citizens from the EU do not require a work permit, and Australian, Canadian and Kiwi nationalities can apply for a working holiday visa from their home country and stay for a maximum of 12 months.  For any other nationalities, Cultural Embrace can make job placement arrangements, however you must be able to obtain the proper visa to work in the UK.

Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences!

• Practical experience in the hospitality/customer service industry  
• An opportunity to broaden your perspective and worldview
• An economical way to live and travel abroad 
• An opportunity to participate in and learn local cultural activities (e.g.: sports, music, cooking)
• Memorable travel experiences with the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about 
• The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
• A valuable work experience that strengthens your resume, exhibiting your diligence, independence, and intercultural experiences 
• A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills

• Guaranteed Job Offer Prior to Departure in the United Kingdom
  We guarantee a paid position in the hospitality industry in the United Kingdom. For London requests, we will pre-arrange up to 3 interviews. You must accept the first position offered. If you are not successful after 3 interviews, you will qualify automatically for a placement in other areas of the United Kingdom
• Compensation
  Income is dependent upon many factors including the type of job and your experience and qualifications. You will receive at least the National Minimum Wage (currently, under the age of 22 is £4.60/hour or £5.52/hour for workers over the age of 22.
• Housing Assistance
  Cultural Embrace will pre-arrange your accommodations prior to your arrival in the UK. Rent is typically included with your placement, or it will be deducted from your overall compensation. Your salary will be enough to cover your room, board, and pocket money while abroad. Shared rooms and bathrooms are common. 
• Work Permit/Visa Assistance
  Cultural Embrace will assist you with your work permit/visa requirements. The fee to receive your work permit is NOT included in your program fee. Although we submit the information for your work permit/visa, we have no control nor the ability to guarantee government issuance and/or visa availability.
• Arrival Orientation
  You will receive pertinent information regarding local transportation, banking, and safety. You will also receive tips on travel, communications, and social and outdoor activities. Finally, you will be familiarized with the code of conduct and expectations for your new job.
• Travel Insurance:  Basic Major Medical Coverage 
  The United Kingdom provides basic medical coverage for its workers. Cultural Embrace highly recommends additional travel insurance.
• Cultural Embrace Kit
  Useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for the amazing adventure of living and working abroad.
• Full-time Representation
  Cultural Embrace provides representation in the United States and the United Kingdom prior to, during, and after your placement.
   

• You must be at least 18 years of age
• For US passport-holding citizens: (minimum 3 months and maximum 6 months)
  You must be a current full-time student or recent graduate, taking at least eight credit hours or more at an accredited US or Canadian college or university. You must begin the program within one semester of your last period of full-time study.
  Additional Notes:
  (1) If you are a full-time student or enrolled for at least eight credit hours in the Spring Semester, you must enter the UK by December 31st of that year. If you are enrolled for the Fall Semester, you must enter the UK no later than June 30th of the following year.
  (2) Summer school attendance generally does not count as a semester of eligibility.
  (3) You must begin the program within one semester of the study period denoted on the proof of student status which you submit.
  (4) Your semester of eligibility can be part of a US university overseas program. If you are participating in a study abroad/intern program in the UK, you are required to exit the UK and re-enter so that you are allowed to work legally with your blue card.  
  (5) If you have graduated, you must enter the United Kingdom within one semester of your final period of study. 
• For non-U.S. passport holding citizens: (minimum 3 months and maximum 12 months)
  If you are able to obtain your own work permit or working holiday visa, we can pre-arrange your placement and accommodations. Unfortunately, we cannot assist those who are unable to acquire work permits for the UK
• You must have access to a minimum of US$1000. This minimum amount does not have to be entirely in cash - traveler’s checks, ATM, and debit/credit cards may also be presented. You are required to show that you have immediate access to funds via bank accounts or parental help
• Enjoy working with and serving others in a busy, fast-paced environment
• Open to foreign cultures and living abroad
• High level of responsibility
• Dedication to the full term of commitment  

1. Obtain the Work Abroad Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways: