u/ScarIatan

Hello ya‘ll!
So, due to some unforeseen, possibly romance related, pull factors and the sudden realisation I have very little planned for this summer before starting college, I would really love to make a vacation to Ottawa in Canada (ca 18 days probably as I want to have three weekends there). I also always wanted to either visit Canada or Iceland and this is a great occasion. But I have some problems and I very much hope ya‘ll might be able to help me a bit.

1. Work and Finance
   As staying in your beautiful country can be quite expansive, even in the cheaper hostels, I contemplated a bit on staying longer and taking up a small summer job or applying for one of those WorkAway programs where you help out on a farm for some time in exchange for staying there. But as I understand it, one needs a work permit/visa for that and I heard those take too long to get for something this spontaneous. Are there ways to earn money (legally) where you don‘t need one or are there ways to get one in time? Would you recommend WorkAway/Work and Travel programs for this?

2. Food and Transportation
   I would also be interested in how to somewhat affordably get food/transport in Ottawa for my stay. I‘d prefer not having to get food at a restaurant or take out each day, but I don‘t know how to get (and cook) affordable food if I have to stay at a hostel. Is it worth renting a bike (or buying a used one) for the stay and how good and expensive is public transit?

3. Miscellaneous and Recommendations
   Lastly I would like to know what else I should be mindful of, that a young guy like me might not think of and whether you have any recommendations regarding things to do and see in the area. I am very interested in history and would love to experience some Canadian culture while I‘m there. Any ideas would be much appreciated :)

Thank you for reading this and I‘d be very glad for answers, thoughts and advice!
Best regards from Germany :)

Hello ya‘ll!
So, due to some unforeseen, possibly romance related, pull factors and the sudden realisation I have very little planned for this summer before starting college, I would really love to make a vacation to Ottawa in Canada (ca 18 days probably as I want to have three weekends there). I also always wanted to either visit Canada or Iceland and this is a great occasion. But I have some problems and I very much hope ya‘ll might be able to help me a bit.

1. Work and Finance
   As staying in your beautiful country can be quite expansive, even in the cheaper hostels, I contemplated a bit on staying longer and taking up a small summer job or applying for one of those WorkAway programs where you help out on a farm for some time in exchange for staying there. But as I understand it, one needs a work permit/visa for that and I heard those take too long to get for something this spontaneous. Are there ways to earn money (legally) where you don‘t need one or are there ways to get one in time? Would you recommend WorkAway/Work and Travel programs for this?

2. Food and Transportation
   I would also be interested in how to somewhat affordably get food/transport in Ottawa for my stay. I‘d prefer not having to get food at a restaurant or take out each day, but I don‘t know how to get (and cook) affordable food if I have to stay at a hostel. Is it worth renting a bike (or buying a used one) for the stay and how good and expensive is public transit?

3. Miscellaneous and Recommendations
   Lastly I would like to know what else I should be mindful of, that a young guy like me might not think of and whether you have any recommendations regarding things to do and see in the area. I am very interested in history and would love to experience some Canadian culture while I‘m there. Any ideas would be much appreciated :)

Thank you for reading this and I‘d be very glad for answers, thoughts and advice!
Best regards from Germany :)