While in my first year at university I wrote to a dozen or more flight schools in California and Florida, saying I was a PPL and asking if they had any positions, cleaning & positioning aircraft, general admin (read: dogs body) etc.
I got a number of positive responses and spent all summer working on a student work visa at various flight organisations, made some useful contacts and got about 25 hours flying at reduced rates.
One of the best summers of my life!!
P....