BUNAC Reviews

Name: BUNAC
Rating: 4.73

4.7 Rating 381 Reviews

94 %

of reviewers recommend BUNAC

4.7

Based on 381 reviews


Shipping & Delivery
Delivery Methods	Postal Service, Courier
On-time Delivery	97%
Customer Service
Communication Channels	Email, Live Chat, Telephone
Queries Resolved In	Under An Hour
Customer Service	4.5 out of 5

About BUNAC:

BUNAC have been taking the stress out of work and travel experiences for students and young people globally since 1962. We remove barriers, provide expertise and we’re passionate about bringing the world closer together.

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BUNAC 5 star review on 29th January 2024

Anonymous

Anonymous // 01/01/2019

Filter: Rated 1 None 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Stars Helpful

“My experience with BUNCA wasn’t the smoothest. At the start of my journey with BUNCA I was very overwhelmed with the amount of camps to pick from so I contacted the customer service team and spoke to Olivia. I was told I was being negative and not considering all my options when I was contacted by a camp which i wasn’t 100% happy with taking on. Contacting through email and zoom call , I got told if I don’t take this opportunity It might be unlikely I will be placed with another camp , whereas I got placed at another camp the same day. I got told my first choice camp had rejected my interests however I contacted the camp directly and told me they haven’t seen my application and received an interview on their end. I also got told by Olivia this camp wasn’t hiring which is another reason why I contacted the camp directly and the camp director mentioned they had positions which I had nearly 4 years experience in. Overall I felt very upset and targeted by Olivia which made me feel very uneasy about the next steps. From then I never received an emails from her.”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 week ago

Hi Abi, Thank you so much for taking the time to provide us with your feedback about your experience. We are sorry that you felt overwhelmed by the number of camps to choose from, we understand choice is important to people, but we will be sure to take your feedback into our review for next summer. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the miscommunication regarding the camp placement, we understand you are now placed at one of our top girls' camps and we hope you have the best summer there. We want to assure you that we strive to provide great customer service at BUNAC and we are sorry that you feel like we have fallen short during your experience with us. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to continuously improving our participants experience. Have the most amazing summer at camp! - The BUNAC Team

Posted 1 week ago

“awful customer service, incorrect information given about the camps, messing me about with information. I DO NOT RECOMMEND GOING WITH THIS COMPANY IF YOU WANT TO GET PLACED AT YOUR DREAM CAMP”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 months ago

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback regarding your experience. I understand the camps team has been working very hard to put your application in front of multiple camps, invite you to hiring events, and even get our visa sponsor involved to try to help place you. We always recommend all our customers to be as open-minded as possible when it comes to the experiences they would like to have at camp. Many realise that what they may have considered their dream camp, does not suit their preferences in line with their application and we are always there to support that. We successfully continue to help, support, and guide many people looking to go to camp every year and we can only apologies that this was not sufficient enough to help find your dream camp. Best of luck with your next steps at camp this year, we hope you make memories that last a lifetime. Thanks - The BUNAC Team

Posted 2 months ago

“I paid for the priority service but didn't receive the promised service. It's disappointing and has significantly delayed my visa application process. This experience has been the worst service, honestly.”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 months ago

“Unreliable, my initial appointment was cancelled and never even spoke with a representative about the program. I emailed them after trying the website and no response at all. I would stay away!”

Helpful Report

Posted 8 months ago

“Firstly I found that the information wasn't hugely forthcoming both prior to and after paying. Secondly after finding the list of potential job in America once paying I decided that none were right for me. I had been told that the Bunac deposit was refundable. Bunac told me that this was not the case. I was told that I had access for life, which I said I didn't specifically need. I understand that companies have their own policies but I might have expected a little flexibility given I had been explicitly told that the deposit was refundable.”

Helpful Report

Posted 10 months ago

Thank you for your feedback, Oliver! We are sorry to hear that you found that none of the jobs that we had on our database were right for you. We have a wide range of jobs across different cities in the US and they all fall into the casual job category to meet the visa and programme requirements. We understand your frustration. As per the Terms and Conditions on our website, the deposit is non-refundable however you do have the option to move your application to next year or to switch to another BUNAC programme. If you have any follow up questions about this, please email us on info@bunac.org - BUNAC Team

Posted 9 months ago

“Boy where do I start with this 1 Give me one solid reason why you cant apply for more than one camp at a time? This itself wouldn't be a problem if they responded within 3 or 4 days.....but 7 weeks?? This shouldn't be a thing 2 BUNAC is not helpful at all when it comes to answering questions and providing crucial details that can effect the entire process. When I was on my way to finally book flights I found out (emphasis on I) That visa takes 10 days to complete which made it so I was too late for what we had planned for summer and ultimately messed everything up 3 W H E R E D I D M Y £500 G O???? 4 combine all of this with no refunds :) Just why?”

Helpful Report

Posted 10 months ago

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with BUNAC. We are sorry to hear that you were disappointed with the process; we explain the process and timelines as clear as possible to our camp participants when they initially sign up so we are really disappointed to hear you we unhappy with it. You can only be on review with one camp at a time to make it fair for you and the camp and give you both a fair chance to interview and discuss summer employment. We see that you have postponed your camp plans to next year and that our team have moved your £369 programme fee over for summer 2024. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and we rely on it as we continuously strive to improve. Thank you again for your review. - BUNAC Team

Posted 10 months ago

“The way the hiring pool works makes no sense, you can only apply to one camp at a time and 90% of them don’t reply even after 5 days so you have to take yourself off review and apply to the next one. When emailing questions to the BUNAC team they weren’t helpful and didn’t answer my questions and even though I started applying for camps in February, I wasn’t placed until May with only a month to get my visa/ flights ect, meaning that I couldn’t actually arrive in time for camp. In future, I would go with another provider.”

Helpful Report

Posted 10 months ago

Thank you for your feedback, Betsy! We are really disappointed to hear that you were unhappy with our hiring pool. You can only be on review with one camp at a time so that it gives you and the camps a chance to explore employment opportunities. We understand that you were in the hiring pool for quite a while and that this can be disheartening, however we see that you rejected a number of camps which would have prolonged the amount of time you were in there. We understand that our camp team helped you get hired so that you could get to the US for the summer, and that all of your queries were answered through email. We appreciate your feedback, and we really do hope you have a great summer at camp! - BUNAC Team

Posted 9 months ago

“Consistently been fed wrong information or told one thing then get told another thing. Like for example I just get an email today regarding the Summer Camp USA program and it says congrats now that you booked your embassy appointment but I never booked an embassy appointment because they told me that Canadian citizens do not need to yet they send me this extremely confusing email today and this has been consistent with BUNAC, I constantly get information specific to British citizens but never Canadian and they just give me one answer then send very unhelpful information that is not specific to where I live, overall I had a really frustrating first experience with Bunac.”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Ahmed, thank you so much for your feedback about BUNAC. I'm sorry you had a frustrating first experience with us and that you have been left confused by some automated emails that you have received that were not applicable to you. It's certainly not what we want and we really appreciate your feedback so we provide better information to our Canadian customers in the future. - BUNAC Team

Posted 1 year ago

“Wouldnt bother with this company what so ever was sated on their website on a full refund yet are trying to deduct a deposit amount when i also paid in full. wouldnt of bothered with the company otherwise as they havent done anything to help nor has my application gone ahead, which comes under my consumer rights act. rude staff over the phone dont waste your time with them full stop. much better companies out there to deal with than BUNAC.”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Thank you for leaving your feedback, Graham. As per our terms and conditions, all deposits are non-refundable payments and therefore this is why you have been advised one of the conditions to do with your payments. The reason your application has not gone any further is not due to the processing at BUNAC, it's due to the information provided flagging some issues with moving forward with getting you to the USA this summer. We also have zero tolerance for abuse towards our staff members here at BUNAC and therefore wish you luck with your next venture.

Posted 1 year ago

“I signed up for the BUNAC Canada program, it seemed like once in a lifetime, exciting, well run and organised process. After having a chat with Jessie from the team over Teams and her describing how wonderful the trip was, I signed up and paid the deposit. However, after paying the fee, I never was contacted again officially by any of the staff working at BUNAC and only received the very occasional automated email, and usually I would be the first to reach out. I finally sent my concerns and queries to BUNAC as the information provided via the Teams call with Jessie from BUNAC didn't match the information provided on their website, in addition to receiving little to no contact from the team. The main issues being the job listings on the website all require significant experience, however on the Teams called I asked about the experience needed and was told as long as you have a good attitude and work hard you will receive the job. I also got told on the call there would be options for single rooms or twin share but then the email sent back from BUNAC contradicted this saying most staff accomodation was a shared bedroom and bathroom with 6-10 people, not sure how this works with everyone working and using one bathroom and facilities etc lol. I was also told on the Teams call we would only receive up to 3 job interviews set up with the ultimate program but then in the email I was told this can happen as many times as possible. They also said they could not guarantee a job at the same place as or near my cousin which we both requested. I believe BUNAC simply sold me this dream of a trip to grab some quick cash without caring about the participants and their needs and providing the support and information they claim to excel at. They continually contradicted themselves, said they could not guarantee things for certain to almost every basic question I asked them or said I needed to be more open minded and flexible. After sharing my concerns and asking for more information, instead of offering to help and addressing my concerns, staff member Ellisia Cartwright simply said ''that's fine, I will just remove your profile then if it doesn't suit your needs'' To a paying customer??!! UNPROFESSIONAL AND LAZY service!! Definitely a service to avoid, you'd be better off doing your own research and planning a working holiday that suits you and your needs.”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Hi Charlie, Thank you for leaving your review. Firstly we take all feedback very seriously at BUNAC and therefore have looked into your account further with this. When it comes to the jobs I understand you mentioned you have experience in retail and reception, which is very suitable for the customer service roles we provide on the program. You do not need a degree or specific years of experience with these positions and your correct positive attitude will get you a long way with seasonal jobs. As we are not the hiring resorts, we can never guarantee a job, as ultimately it is up to you to pass the interview stages, but we are there every step of the way to assist with any feedback on these interviews and will continue to pass you through to different resorts if you are not successful with your first pick. The past 3 seasons we have run on a 98% success rate for jobs, and the other 2 percent were people who changed their mind about seasonal work before the season began, so that's a pretty good ratio of people getting out to work. Regarding accommodation, all options include the possibility of some resorts having single or twin rooms among other shared styles. You get access to the accommodation details before putting your preferences forward and paying the final fee. This ensures you are aware of the accommodation specifics at the resort of your choice before committing. The accommodation with the resorts is on a first in first served basis. We apologise that you do not feel like you got the customer service and can assure you we looked into this further for you. If you feel like there is anything more we can assist you with please, please do not hesitate to give us an email and address to "Head of Customer Experience". - Thanks, BUNAC Team.

Posted 1 year ago

“I was told at the beginning of November that I was eligible for the American work program. I spent two months saving madly, selling my possessions, making plans to export my dog, looking at apartments. But the day I was set to pay the remaining $1800 fee, I stopped, and queried the order of the next steps, as two had been swapped around since I had my interview. Then I'm asked to provide the same information that was on the website I sent to the Operations Coordinator on the first day we discussed it, two months earlier. Suddenly, I wasn't eligible for the program. Yes, mistakes happen. But only checking if my school was accredited is simply not enough. All the Coordinator needed to do was read one solitary page, with the relevant information to assess if I was eligible (credits/EFTs/hours per week of study/how the course was delivered) included on it. I wasted two entire months working towards a goal I was told I was eligible for, but truthfully never was. The fact I got my non-refundable deposit back should honestly tell you everything! Now, the rest of my family has left for America, while I sit here in NZ on my computer, day after day, applying fruitlessly for work sponsored visa jobs. To say I am DEVASTATED at this outcome is an understatement. My dream has been to go to America for 15+ years, now it may never happen for me. If you've read to the end, thank you. Now, go and make sure you yourself are actually eligible for your program, before you pay any money to BUNAC!”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Thank you very much for taking the time to write a review and we are sorry that your experience with BUNAC wasn’t as positive as you’d anticipated. As our Grad USA program does have very specific eligibility criteria, we have a two-step eligibility process in place with our sponsor. This ensures that none of our participants reach the stage where they attend their consulate appointment and have their visa application rejected. You were advised three weeks before you submitted your application that only after our sponsor reviewed and accepted your supporting documents, would you be formally accepted onto the program. Until then, we were only able to accept your application based on the information that we had at the time. Due to Covid requirement's, there were some grey areas surrounding the eligibility of online study, and in your case, there was also some ambiguity around study load. Unfortunately, in your specific case, our sponsor was not confident the course criteria were met and as such wasn’t unable to provide you with a certificate of eligibility. Upon receiving this news, we notified you and actioned the refund within 48 hours. We are truly sorry about your current personal circumstances and hope that you are able to find an alternative path to live and work in the USA in the future. - The BUNAC Team

Posted 1 year ago

“I started my application with bunac I put in my bank details they took €55 euro out of my account never send a confirmation about this and didn’t make a account for me I’m really disappointed with the process I’ve tried emailing them multiple times they haven’t got in touch”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Hi, thank you for leaving your review. Having looked further into this for you, we can see that we have been communicating with you concerning the process since June. After completing your payment on the programme, your account is set up automatically and we understand this did not happen straight away for you due to a technical issue. Unfortunately the emails you sent after booking where out of office hours and therefore as soon as we got back in the morning we actioned your emails and fixed the overnight technical issue to ensure you received your welcome email and next steps. We apologies that this has left you feeing disappointed. The BUNAC Team.

Posted 1 year ago

“I haven't even managed to get any service. No-one ever answers the phone or I have to wait 2 weeks for a video call to answer my questions. I shall use a company who wants to help.”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Hi Lara, We are sorry to hear that you have not been able to get through on the phones, it's been a very busy period, however we are more than happy to provide a call back service if you would prefer? We understand the video consultations have been hugely popular and booking up fast, so apologies you have not been able to get a slot. We are also out of office next week for a team workshop, so this might have increased the wait time for you. Feel free to email me at info@bunac.org and I can get a team member to provide you a call back - Thank, Ella @BUNAC

Posted 1 year ago

“Not very impressed with my service from Emma on the US team. She was very curt - I felt like I was paining her by asking her questions pertaining to the service this company provides. She answered my questions in a rude manner and cut me off a few times. I have had good interactions with other Bunac team members - this is the first one that made me want to take my business elsewhere. I hesitated before calling Bunac again today as I genuinely did not feel comfortable with the idea of talking to her again. With good reason as I was met with the same deflating attitude from her.”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Hi there, Thank you for leaving your feedback on the service you have received recently. Firstly we would like to apologise for the way you felt when trying to retrieve answers to your questions. This is not the impression we want anyone to have when dealing with BUNAC. We can assure you that Emma and the team are devastated that this was your impression and are reaching out to you directly to try and make this right. If there is anything more we can do in the meantime, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me directly at info@bunac.org. We hope to rectify this for you and continue to assist you with your adventures of working abroad. Thanks, Ella @BUNAC

Posted 1 year ago

“I did my first working holiday Australia with Bunac in 2015 where I found them very helpful, they answered all my emails, all my questions & were always polite. I then did my working holiday to Canada with Bunac in 2018 where they were also very helpful. Now when I try to contact them via email they NEVER respond which is so disappointing considering I was a customer of Bunac back in 2015, & 2018. I would go to another company instead such as STA travel but they have closed down, & other companies dealing with working holiday visas are way too expensive & Bunac is more reasonably priced, & as I have been with Bunac twice before I trusted them. It’s so unprofessional not to respond to all the emails I’ve sent. I can’t understand as a company why I am chasing them when I, as a potential customer should be chased by them - isn’t that how business works? Bunac, if you don’t want to help me for whatever odd reason - please just tell me, then I know I will just go else where and look for other alternatives. So disappointing”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Good morning Ingerid, apologies for the delayed response we have been closed since Wednesday evening due to the double bank holiday in the UK for the Jubilee celebrations and our business being closed over weekends. I have doubled check both BUNAC inboxes for you this morning and I can not see your email, unfortunately. If you could please forward your questions to info@bunac.org and address the customer experience manager, I would be more than happy to assist you further. Thank you - The BUNAC Team

Posted 1 year ago

“Came over to the UK and BUNAC sponsored the program. I discovered towards the end of my (really awful) internship that the company I was at had lied to the program and as a result also likely violated the conditions under which BUNAC can give out there Visas. I did send an email to them about this (and to there partner, The Intern Group, who were the ones who found the job), and nothing was done. It seems they do not care. I also was told that visa's couldn't be extended, which according to the UK governments website is a bald faced lie. The website is outdated, and I had to email all the documents for my application in as it refused to work for me. Don't trust these guys, they're not well run.”

Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Hi David, Thank you for leaving BUNAC a review of your internship experience. Firstly we are sorry to hear about the experience you found towards the end of your internship. I understand that BUNAC completed a compliance call, which did not flag any issues and all of the monthly check-in with yourself, which we're all ok until the last one. After your concerns were flagged we contacted the Intern Group, who sourced this internship for you, to not only make them aware but to also gain some feedback for you. We can assure you we take these things very seriously and no other internships have been placed here since you have shared your experience. When it comes to extensions, although some visa sponsors may have these rights, here at BUNAC we do not unfortunately. Each sponsor has different rules and regulations around their right to sponsorship and even though we would not be able to extend your visa, we would be able to sponsor you again for another 6 months in the UK, if you were able to find a new employer. We understand that the BUNAC website is currently going through a revamp, so apologies for any technical difficulties you have faced during this time. We are hopeful with the new website launching we will have better success for applicants. If there is anything more I can help you with, please do not hesitate to get back in touch - Ella @BUNAC

Posted 1 year ago

“Way too expensive for the service it actually provides. Not sure what half of my money went towards Only positive is that they respond quickly to my emails”

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Posted 2 years ago

Thank you for leaving your review, we're sorry to hear your dissatisfaction with the costs. We can see that majority of your money paid was directly in line with the visa sponsorship required in order to travel to the USA on a J1, however we would be more than happy to provide you with more of a costs breakdown if you require further details on this. Thank you - Ella@BUNAC

Posted 2 years ago

BUNAC is rated 4.7 based on 381 reviews