Overview
BUNAC is a pioneering youth travel organisation with over 60 years of experience creating work and travel opportunities for young people.
Founded in 1962 by two university students, BUNAC was built on the belief that crossing borders breaks down barriers, builds cultural understanding and opens up life-changing opportunities.
Originally established as the British Universities North America Club, BUNAC began by running cultural exchanges to the USA and went on to launch its flagship Summer Camp USA programme in 1972.
Today, BUNAC is recognised as a heritage brand with a challenger spirit, continuing to shape the global work and travel sector for students and young adults.
Mission and approach
BUNAC believes that travel in your twenties can be transformative. Its mission is to open up access to meaningful international work experiences by removing barriers to travel and making opportunities more accessible, affordable and inclusive.
Guided by its core values of Authenticity, Accessibility and Accountability, BUNAC works to ensure young people are supported before, during and after their time abroad. Youth voices are kept at the centre of the organisation through its Youth Advisory Panel, made up of 18–25 year olds, and through a commitment to reinvesting in access and opportunity.
BUNAC is part of the wider JENZA Travel Group, alongside brands including USIT, SWAP, IENA and its global work and intern brand JENZA, all united by a shared mission to expand access to working overseas.
What they do
BUNAC specialises in work and travel programmes that combine cultural exchange, paid employment and personal development. The organisation is best known for its Summer Camp USA programme, which connects young people with camp roles across the United States.
In addition, BUNAC supports a range of international work and travel pathways through the JENZA Travel Group, including working holidays, internships and seasonal work abroad. The organisation is recognised for championing fair pay, transparent programme pricing and giving participants greater choice over placements.
BUNAC also provides end-to-end support, including visa sponsorship, application guidance and job support, helping to remove the logistical barriers often associated with working overseas.
Expeditions and participation opportunities
BUNAC offers a range of participation opportunities for students and young adults, typically aged 18-30, who want to work and travel internationally.
Key opportunities include:
- Summer Camp USA placements
- Supported work and travel programmes abroad
- Cultural exchange and seasonal work opportunities
To widen access, BUNAC donates 5% of its profits to a Youth Access Scholarship Fund, helping more young people take part in overseas work experiences.
By combining practical support with a strong community ethos, BUNAC enables participants not just to see the world, but to engage with it purposefully, building skills, confidence and global perspectives that last well beyond the trip itself.
Last updated: December 2025.