Is quite frankly, a bit of a ball ache. Though I hypocritically loathe to listen to people moan about money, I thought I'd mention that my card was just declined trying to buy a packet of Percy Pigs, (the veggie ones) and the cashier at Charing Cross made it way more awkward than it needed to be.
At times like this, (which are occurring more and more frequently now that I've been in London for two months) I have to keep reminding myself. I HAVE CHOSEN TO DO THIS. No one made me spend the summer (and all the money I saved this year) working, instead of inter-railing through Europe with Millie, or going to Ellie's flat in Portugal.
I do however apologise in advance for the rant, (there are some genuine pieces of positive advice in here if you look hard enough) but I've been a little stressed recently and I'm pretty sure it can be put down to my unstable circumstances.
I'll begin with a little story....Sunday night found me at 10pm stood outside an 'old man' pub near Waterloo, with 2 months worth of stuff on my back, and nowhere to stay. My original plan having fallen through by the time I made it to Euston, I headed over to the pub where I'd heard my friends Dan and Jonny might be watching the football, in the hopes that they might take pity on me enough to give me some floorspace to crash. Jonny was eventually persuaded with a pint and the promise that buy him a bagel on the way home. I obliged but still had to wait till 2 am before we got back and by the time Monday morning rolled around I was knackered. I also spent a good part of the afternoon trying to figure out how I could get my bag back from Jonny's and over to the next place that night. Not ideal when you're trying to focus on work and making a good impression.
The particular problem with publishing is that it is, for the most part, London-centric. If you're not from London and can't afford to sublet for the summer, accomodation is going to be an issue. On the aforementioned occasion I was saved (thank you Dan and Jonny) and though I've never had to sleep at a bus stop I have lost count of how many times I've been stuck for the night, or left waiting till midnight for someone to give another someone's a key to a mystery location.....This in itself takes up a lot of time and energy, and as for an early night and a shower before work? Forget about it!
So, aspiring student interns, be warned - If you're looking for work experience in 'the arts' you will have to work for free. You just will. I've heard that there are paid internships out there but I have never had one, and the only person I know who has ever landed one in book publishing worked all throughout April (its now August) and still hasn't seen any cash.
Some companies will reimburse you for Oyster travel, which can be a lifeline when 10 days getting to and from work can cost around £70 (calculated from my most recent debt to the tfl) but its unlikely that they're going to just hand you the correct sum at the end of the month. Its up to you to reap this benefit. Ask your supervisor if there is any support in place for interns, calculate and record your transactions (link up your young persons railcard with your Oystercard if possible) but remember, if you dont ask then you wont get it. If HR people are nice (like Sharn at Faber) then they'll make it as easy a transaction as possible. It doesnt have to be awkward.
Though 'crashing with friends' can be fun, I honestly would recommend opting for a more reliable solution if you're working for more than two weeks. To give you an idea about the realities of couch surfing, its bad form to stay for more than three consecutive nights. I am fortunate in that I know several people in London, and have had a choice of four floors, one sofa and two beds to sleep on (the beds I have been sharing belong to two of my oldest and most generous friends) I am also keeping a suitcase at India's, two tote bags at Kristen's, some jackets at Theo's and a towel at Belle's. I even have spare toiletries tucked away at the office.
If you can't afford to be dissuaded from homelessness then being flexible is of paramount importance if you plan on staying with friends. For your own sanity and to maintain your relationships with friends/co-habitors, be neurotically clean and organised, never complain, buy your own food and most importantly, do not be offended if anyone refuses to extend you an invitation. London flats are small and people need there space.
In my experience, mentioning to collegues (again, without complaining) the realities of your situation is also good idea, as people are often extremely understanding of your unusual that you might get lost on your way in some days, or have to leave early for whatever reason. Its better to let people know than have them thinking you're not dedicated or just disorganised. Who knows? One of them might even have a spare room.
At times like this, (which are occurring more and more frequently now that I've been in London for two months) I have to keep reminding myself. I HAVE CHOSEN TO DO THIS. No one made me spend the summer (and all the money I saved this year) working, instead of inter-railing through Europe with Millie, or going to Ellie's flat in Portugal.
I do however apologise in advance for the rant, (there are some genuine pieces of positive advice in here if you look hard enough) but I've been a little stressed recently and I'm pretty sure it can be put down to my unstable circumstances.
I'll begin with a little story....Sunday night found me at 10pm stood outside an 'old man' pub near Waterloo, with 2 months worth of stuff on my back, and nowhere to stay. My original plan having fallen through by the time I made it to Euston, I headed over to the pub where I'd heard my friends Dan and Jonny might be watching the football, in the hopes that they might take pity on me enough to give me some floorspace to crash. Jonny was eventually persuaded with a pint and the promise that buy him a bagel on the way home. I obliged but still had to wait till 2 am before we got back and by the time Monday morning rolled around I was knackered. I also spent a good part of the afternoon trying to figure out how I could get my bag back from Jonny's and over to the next place that night. Not ideal when you're trying to focus on work and making a good impression.
The particular problem with publishing is that it is, for the most part, London-centric. If you're not from London and can't afford to sublet for the summer, accomodation is going to be an issue. On the aforementioned occasion I was saved (thank you Dan and Jonny) and though I've never had to sleep at a bus stop I have lost count of how many times I've been stuck for the night, or left waiting till midnight for someone to give another someone's a key to a mystery location.....This in itself takes up a lot of time and energy, and as for an early night and a shower before work? Forget about it!
So, aspiring student interns, be warned - If you're looking for work experience in 'the arts' you will have to work for free. You just will. I've heard that there are paid internships out there but I have never had one, and the only person I know who has ever landed one in book publishing worked all throughout April (its now August) and still hasn't seen any cash.
Some companies will reimburse you for Oyster travel, which can be a lifeline when 10 days getting to and from work can cost around £70 (calculated from my most recent debt to the tfl) but its unlikely that they're going to just hand you the correct sum at the end of the month. Its up to you to reap this benefit. Ask your supervisor if there is any support in place for interns, calculate and record your transactions (link up your young persons railcard with your Oystercard if possible) but remember, if you dont ask then you wont get it. If HR people are nice (like Sharn at Faber) then they'll make it as easy a transaction as possible. It doesnt have to be awkward.
Though 'crashing with friends' can be fun, I honestly would recommend opting for a more reliable solution if you're working for more than two weeks. To give you an idea about the realities of couch surfing, its bad form to stay for more than three consecutive nights. I am fortunate in that I know several people in London, and have had a choice of four floors, one sofa and two beds to sleep on (the beds I have been sharing belong to two of my oldest and most generous friends) I am also keeping a suitcase at India's, two tote bags at Kristen's, some jackets at Theo's and a towel at Belle's. I even have spare toiletries tucked away at the office.
If you can't afford to be dissuaded from homelessness then being flexible is of paramount importance if you plan on staying with friends. For your own sanity and to maintain your relationships with friends/co-habitors, be neurotically clean and organised, never complain, buy your own food and most importantly, do not be offended if anyone refuses to extend you an invitation. London flats are small and people need there space.
In my experience, mentioning to collegues (again, without complaining) the realities of your situation is also good idea, as people are often extremely understanding of your unusual that you might get lost on your way in some days, or have to leave early for whatever reason. Its better to let people know than have them thinking you're not dedicated or just disorganised. Who knows? One of them might even have a spare room.