Off to Canada
Australia is not the only place worth going!
Honestly, at this stage, doesn’t it feel like everyone is off to Australia for six months? I know we’re a nation reared on Home and Away, but still! While I haven’t got the same frequent flier miles under my belt that some of my peers do, I do have some tales of my time spent working in Toronto, Canada in 2008. I had a whale of a time and would heartily recommend it. In fact, I still harp on about Canada quite regularly to the detriment of my relationships with friends and family. Oops!
I arrived in Toronto in June 2008. My living arrangement was an enjoyable one, but possibly only suited to people going over for the summer. I stayed in a house maintained by Campus Co-Op. They rent out rooms in various houses in the city for students during the college year and then rent out the rooms to non-students during the summer. It’s a great way to get an affordable room in a good location. Our house was pretty cool and had a bit of a 70s vibe. It was on a street with some frat houses, which was all my US teen drama dreams come true at once. Definitely better than your average dingy flat.
Work wise, I got pretty lucky. A friend of mine had spent the previous summer working for a cruise company who did tours around the Toronto Harbour. The Harbour Front is a really popular area for both locals and tourists in the summer and is a fantastic place to look for seasonal work if you’ve any experience in bar work, restaurants etc. Because my mate had contacts for her old job, I was able to line up work before I got over there; a real bonus.
Even if you haven’t got a job straight, the company you use to plan your trip will be really helpful in getting you started. I would say to anyone going away for a working holiday that companies like SWAP (the one I used) are there to help you. So, make sure you use the resources like free printing, phones etc. You’ll need them!
Working in Toronto was a blast. People are polite and friendly; disturbingly so! Toronto is home to a huge range of ethnic groups too which puts a wide range of cultures on your doorstep. It has a generally liberal, laidback air that creates a great atmosphere throughout the city. It’s not a cheap place to live but not overly expensive. There is that old bugbear of taxes being added on to prices when you get to the till. This may throw you for a loop at first, but you will soon get used to it. You will also have to get used to tipping in bars/clubs/restaurants no matter what.
There are loads of things I loved there. The weather was warm, but not uncomfortably so; there were loads of bands (both huge and unknown), playing every night of the week at great prices; the nightlife was varied and exciting and there were plenty of places to grab great food. Toronto is a really vibrant and enjoyable city to visit overall.
I also made a week stop-off in Montreal while I was there and it was beautiful. It is very European, particularly in comparison to Toronto, but still well worth a visit.
If you want an alternative to typical year out destinations (I’m looking at you Australia), then Toronto is a great place to start. Never mind what Home and Away wants you to think!
By: Conor Behan
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