Announcement: Returning to the London Expat Life

I have some brilliant news I'd like to share today...since leaving London, I have, over the past few months, been doing more than enjoying being home, I have been working on getting back to London.

I'm happy to announce today that I have been incredibly lucky in getting a UK Sponsorship Visa!!! I didn't want to get my hopes up, that's why I never mentioned it but now I can celebrate! And just like the time I got my UK Working Holiday Visa, I'm bouncing off the walls with excitement.

So, London, I'll be seeing you real soon! I can't wait!

P.S For those of you who are interested I will be doing a post about my experience applying for the UK Sponsorship Visa soon so stay tuned or subscribe so you don't miss out.

Read More

The Perils of the UK Working Holiday Visa and being an Expat

Tower Bridge and the Thames at twilight, London.

The perils of the UK working holiday visa and being an expat in London is that eventually, you have to say goodbye. As an Aussie, I'm lucky enough to qualify for a UK working holiday visa. Back in September 2011, i was jumping around the house like a kid waving my brand new Tier 5 working holiday visa (or Youth Mobility Visa as it is officially known) excited about the prospect of making the move to London and adopting it as my home for two years. The problem with this visa is that it cannot be extended and has to end after two years no matter how much i love London or how much i want to stay (despite the weather!).

A sunny day at Regents Park, London

This sunny weekend i realised that my visa deadline is looming. It is barely 5 months away. Eeep! I feel as though I've barely scratched the surface of this city or the travels i could have. I need more time! So, what are my options? Sponsorship. Short of coming up with a business idea and finding funding for an entrepreneurship visa, that's about it. Ive been speaking with my umbrella company about that but i wont find out either way till sometime in August.

Currently I'm resisting the urge to panic. I really enjoy living in London. Yes i do miss Sydney, its my home, but London is my travel home and its such a great place to base yourself for travel anywhere. Even if you don't go anywhere, there is always something going on in London, always something to see, do, experience.

The London Eye at night

I have survived living in a hostel, slowly built up friendships, endured the crazy house share/house market quirks of London and finally landed on my feet where I'm not struggling as much as i used to.
Travel wise, being in London has let me jet off to some great places. Ive fallen in love with Japan and the beauty and majesty of its cherry blossoms, managed not to kill myself on the slopes of Borvets in Bulgaria, seen a glimmer of the Northern Lights in Iceland, became enchanted with Venice, travelled through Italy, ate my way through Athens and Santorini and soon I'll be not sleeping in New York City.
Even inside the UK I've walked the city walls of York, dragged a friend to Edinburgh, visited the beautiful Lakes District, been blown away at Brighton, repaired a snowman in Oxford, punted along the Cam in Cambridge, and fell in love with a non-Shakespearean play (A Soldier in Every Son)  at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Big Ben and Westminster Underground Station, London

If i cant get sponsorship, I'll be OK to go home...after trying to fit in as much travel as possible in warmer climes. If i do, brilliant, it just means I'll have loads more to blog about and share with you all.

Either way, I'll keep you posted. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Read More