I posted back about 4 months ago about the working conditions in NSW. I currently live in the CBD of Wollongong and am looking for work practically anywhere, been looking for a good solid 3 months but haven't even gotten an interview. I understand the difficulties with the economy being the way it is and just in Illawarra alone there is a 14.2% unemployment rate for those under 24, which I am. I am looking for either office work (admin, data entry, receptionist, etc) or waitstaff, retail, etc. I have a BA and have already applied for a masters program through the Univ of Sydney but won't be attending till July. If anyone has any leads or knows/ works for companies that is looking for hired help please let me know. I have a working holiday visa at the moment but will be switching to a permanent visa in May. 

Also if there are any Americans either studying or living in or outside Wollongong and want to meet up to talk or hang out let me know. Since I haven't been working it's been a little hard making friends besides my boyfriend's friends. Not to sound desperate haha. 

i_hope_that
For many of us, the holidays can be kind of rough. If you're searching for a network of understanding friends, this ultra-nurturing community encourages you to express your heartfelt wishes and offer other members encouragement and acceptance. Not for the terminally snarky or emotionally-challenged, this is a good-spirited place to lend comfort and support.

diygifts
Feeling crafty? If you've got a few last folks on your holiday gift list, this is a great place to seed your creativity and generosity. You'll also discover wonderful DIY tips to decorate your home and entertain guests. Offering a no-frills-no-skills attitude that welcomes the cash-challenged and arts-phobic, you're sure to get ideas and make friends in the process.

cooking_club
A fun and friendly community dedicated to those who love to cook, whether you're a meat-and-potatoes type, an aspiring gourmand, and/or a vegan. In search of a brilliant dish to use up those weekly leftovers? Post your ingredients and you'll be whipping up a feast by dinner. You can also share favorite recipes. For Type A chefs, you can spice up your culinary repertoire with exciting cooking challenges.

stepstomarrow
When granddaughter, Jada, was born with leukemia, a donor-match was located and Jada made a miraculous recovery. In honor of her grandaughter's health, Jeanna has decided to walk across the country (in the dead of winter) to raise awareness and build support for the bone marrow registry (all that's required is a cheek swab). Follow Jeanna's remarkable journey as she travels the United States by foot.

Does anyone know what the difference between UK icing sugar and US powdered sugar is? I've been looking around, and I can't figure it out, but I know there is definitely a difference.

taste_buds
Holidays provide a built-in excuse for indulgent entertaining. This all-purpose foodie community covers everything from homemade hangover cures to dinner party menus. Need quick advice? Get five-minute snack suggestions, low-fat ingredient substitutes, and even measurement conversions. Delicious recipes garnished with humorous advice. Yum.

naturesbeauty
Always on the lookout for compelling images, we were delighted to discover this flourishing community of artists who share a love of nature. Honoring the subject with photographs, paintings, sketches, prose, poetry, and other creative works, you'll be simultaneously riveted to your monitor and inspired to run helter skelter towards the nearest wooded dale.

Hi!

My name is Chelsey. I am a senior at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. I've studied in the UK on trips a couple of times (Uni. Westminster and Oxford) and am including UK schools in my grad school quest.

For this summer, I have been offered a (BUNAC) internship with the Royal Association for Disability Rights (I'm disabled, have been an advocate for years). I'm working on finding funding sources for airfare and such, and was wondering whether you lovelies had any ideas.

Also, what's the best option for 3 month housing in London?