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All Americans/Canadians: Help me discover your country!

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The_Hannes
Posts: 285 - Karma: 63
Hey NS,
First of all thanks for reading this!
I'm a 17 year old boy who lives near Munich. This year, I would really love to go to America or Canada in my big Holidays (6 weeks!, from the beginning of august to the end of september), maybe with a friend of mine or alone. As my family and me can't afford to pay me just travelling around for six weeks, I thought the best idea to solve this problem was to work somewhere. I really am not really picky about what kind of work this should be, I just need to make enough that I can afford a place to live and something to eat during these weeks(The flight will be payed from my savings plus from my moms money). Of course I would also love a job without a salary, but free lodging and food.
I am quite healthy and can do almost any kind of brain- or physical-work and I'm able to speak english well and fluently. Of course I would appreciate an outdoor job most, but it isn't necessary. It would be quite nice to work in a little village in the outdoors, but I would also like to work in the city.
Unfortunately, I haven't got any idea where I should start searching, so I thought I'd ask you! Also I don't really know about a visa for the us and wether I need a permission to work or not and if I'm able to work at just 17 in the US/Canada.
So if anyone of all you NS-users out there has some information for me, knows any kind of work I could do, a website where I could search for a job, somebody who could help me, a place where I could stay or even a job I could apply for, please help me out and write it in this thread!
Thanks alot guys, I hope you can make this dream come true :D
Hannes
Oct 12 2011 7:19AM
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ORDEAL
Posts: 6386 - Karma: 75
Yeah, you're probably going to need a visa.

I can't really help in any other way, unless you are/want to go to a town out of the mountains
Oct 12 2011 7:35AM
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ORDEAL
Posts: 6386 - Karma: 75
^ for the us at least, you're probably going to need a visa
Oct 12 2011 7:36AM
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bdarb207
Posts: 3057 - Karma: 438
youde need a visa to get a job but no one would hire you for six weeks anyway. Find someone to stay with who you can work for under the table (meaning you dont work for them on paper so you keep all of your wages which is technically illegal but its for a small amount of money and for a short period of time its more frowned upon). A good job to look for at least around me (southern Maine USA) would be ns'ers in the kennebunk/wells area who maybe have a landscaping job (tending lawns and gardens) or working for a tree or plant nursery. Both outside, and both would have a good chance that the owners are cool interested in having someone like you around for a bit. Plus its the beach which is a sick place to be in the summer. pm me if youre serious i might be able to hook you up.
Oct 12 2011 8:02AM
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The_Hannes
Posts: 285 - Karma: 63
sure that would be fine, I'm open for everything!
Oct 12 2011 9:58AM
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.Apex.
Posts: 2097 - Karma: 1,556
Its really quite simple, go to BC and buy alot of weed, or atelast like a solid pound. Then cruise over the boarder (hopefully) then sell it to American's and spray your weed with febreeze so it weighs more and make a nice profit.
Oct 12 2011 10:01AM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/

Go here to for visa info though I wouldn't be too optimistic if I were you, at least you're getting started early.

You could also work under the table. Your best bet for that is probably to just show up and ask around for work. Maybe up in western Canada to work on the tar sands or tree planting? You could also consider living with a family, free or cheap food and board and local knowledge. Finding under the table work is about knowing the right people, I know where I live there are always multi-week cash paying labor projects in the summer.

Like others have said six weeks is not a long time to work. If I were you I would just work my ass of this fall/winter/spring and spend your time in North America dedicated to travelling.
Oct 12 2011 11:26AM
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andreaswhite
Posts: 153 - Karma: 83
Yeah I did this in Scotland last year.
When you get to customs say "vacation"! Don't say your going to try and find work, are working, even volunteering is a no no.
Check out http://www.wwoof.org/
You work a bit on organic farms for food(good organic food) and lodging, great deal for traveling!
good luck!

Oct 12 2011 11:37AM
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vailsux.com
Posts: 1769 - Karma: 440
What do you want to see? If you want to see the coast hit up Georgia or California, neither is cheap. If you want to see the interior Utah, Colorado, or New Mexico is your best bet. Lots of public land and national parks that are good to tourists. Utah is probably the cheapest.
Oct 12 2011 11:44AM
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gotti
Posts: 4269 - Karma: 4,548
I would save up money because unless you know people its gonna b hard to find a job at 17. I would recommend the oregon/washington area. While I have never been there, I know there are many things to do in oregon especially including skiing at Windells. I would not recommend going to a beach on the east coast or south east because in august not only will u b able to find a grain of sand to stand on the beaches are so crowded, but also everything is extremely expensive and you wont find a job.

Do you know anybody in america or canada? If so talk to them and try to get them to help you for a job.

Also at customs be very careful what you say especially only say you are vacationing in america because it is illegal to come and have a job. Also you have to make sure you get paid in cash, otherwise you will have to setup a bank account and that is a hassle. As for lodging, look on craigslist or something for a place to stay with a family who is renting out a part of their house because that will be the cheapest.
Oct 12 2011 11:59AM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
yeah i have some friends doing that over in hawaii.....chillin there all winter

might be worth checkin out
Oct 12 2011 12:01PM
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.AR6rider
Posts: 444 - Karma: -106
ref soccer games man they pay straight cash 35 bucks a game. Well at least thats what i get
Oct 12 2011 12:14PM
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gotti
Posts: 4269 - Karma: 4,548
unfortunately most kids soccer games are only on saturdays/sundays. Dont think thats enough to keep op situated
Oct 12 2011 12:18PM
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andreaswhite
Posts: 153 - Karma: 83
Also check out http://www.couchsurfing.org/
Oct 12 2011 12:57PM
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snowbombz
Posts: 2456 - Karma: 96
USA USA USA USA USA USA
Oct 12 2011 1:41PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
Just came in here to post that. A friend of mine did that over the summer and went to Iceland for 4 weeks and said it was the best time he's ever had. He met a ton of people and got to see lots of different parts of the country.
Oct 12 2011 1:44PM
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