FINAL PROJECT: Abstract and Reader's Reponse > A Guide to Doing a Working Holiday in New Zealand
Good plan, H. Do hope you share with the Study Abroad AND Career Center.
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May 8, 2016 |
Marybeth Shea
Marybeth Shea
Taking a gap year after undergraduate studies can be beneficial to many students who want to gain unique experience before continuing on to further education or starting their career. One option that offers students a lot of freedom and flexibility is traveling and working in New Zealand on a working holiday visa. I have researched the process for obtaining the visa as well as consulted websites and talked to people who have done a working holiday in the past. The guide explains the visa requirements, financial considerations, and places to go in New Zealand. I outline some of the important things to think about when traveling alone, especially as a woman, and offer suggestions for how to travel around the country. I go over some of the options for work and where you might want to start your journey, depending on the season you arrive. I also offer suggestions for places to travel in Australia, from my personal study abroad experience in Brisbane, as well as places to go in Southeast Asia from someone who has traveled the region. I wrap up the guide by explaining some of the benefits of travel and taking a gap year. I also point out that this option offers post baccalaureate students much more flexibility than other gap year options. Due to the ability of students to work while there, they can actually break even or make money with this option, rather than spending a significant amount on a more restrictive gap year program.
WC=250
Reader’s profile: Parent concerned about their child flying halfway around the world with no guaranteed work once they got there. The parent might also be skeptical of the concept of a gap year and see it as a waste of time.
Reader’s response: The safety of New Zealand is reassuring and the detailed financial analysis helped me realize that this does not necessarily mean that my child will come home broke. I did not realize the wide variety of jobs available to travelers in New Zealand, my child might be able to find something that does further their career while there. I am still concerned about how my child will find a relevant job once s/he gets there, but I can support their desire to travel more after learning more about the process and the country.