The Catalyst

One day in 2023, I was lying in bed mindlessly scrolling through Xiaohongshu when a post about working holidays caught my attention. The post detailed ways to do working holidays, and I was delighted to discover this travel option! It was a way to experience life abroad while supporting yourself through work - the perfect gap year plan tailored for me.

At that moment, my mind raced with visions of living abroad. I immediately opened my laptop and began researching working holiday policies of different countries. After several days of thorough investigation, I decided on Australia, New Zealand, and Canada as my destinations. Why these three countries? There were quite a few reasons.

First, all three countries have well-established working holiday systems with relatively flexible visa policies. Second, they are English-speaking countries, so language wouldn't be a major barrier. Most importantly, these countries are known for their beautiful natural landscapes and high quality of life, making them perfect for in-depth experiences.

First Experience in Australia

Australia was the perfect first stop for my working holiday journey. Australia's working holiday program is called the Working Holiday Maker Program, with a basic visa period of 12 months. If you work on farms in specific regions, you can apply for visa extensions for a second or even third year. This flexible policy allowed me to adjust my plans according to my circumstances.

I remember my first day in Sydney - it was sunny and bright. I dragged my suitcase to my pre-booked hostel with mixed feelings of nervousness and excitement. The hostel was located in Sydney's city center, with convenient transportation and many restaurants and supermarkets nearby. Though the room was small, it was clean and tidy, and most importantly, affordable at around 300 AUD per week.

The hostel's common room was bustling every evening. Travelers from around the world would gather to share their travel experiences and work stories. Through their sharing, I learned that the most popular jobs in Australia were barista, server, and farm work. Barista work required higher technical skills but offered better pay; server positions had lower barriers to entry, suitable for new working holiday makers; farm work was tough but could help with visa extensions and usually included room and board.

Deep Dive into New Zealand

After a year in Australia, I boarded my flight to New Zealand with a wealth of experiences and expectations. New Zealand's visa policy is more flexible than Australia's - while the basic period is 12 months, applicants from certain countries can extend it to 23 or even 36 months. This gave me more time to deeply experience this beautiful country.

I chose to start my New Zealand journey in Queenstown. Known as the adventure capital, Queenstown offers both stunning natural scenery and abundant outdoor activities. I found work at a lakeside hotel, handling front desk and room service duties. This job gave me more opportunities to interact with locals and tourists from around the world.

The Kiwi lifestyle left a deep impression on me. They highly value work-life balance, and colleagues would organize hiking or camping activities every weekend. Through these activities, I fell in love with outdoor sports, learned to pitch tents, identify constellations, and even tried bungee jumping and skiing.

Final Chapter in Canada

After Australia and New Zealand, I chose Canada as my final destination. Canada's working holiday program, called International Experience Canada, had a more complex application process but offered more diverse job opportunities.

I chose Vancouver as my first Canadian stop. Vancouver, known as one of the "most livable cities," has a unique multicultural atmosphere. With my experience from Australia and New Zealand, I quickly found work at a boutique café.

Canadian coffee culture differs significantly from Australia and New Zealand. Here, cafés focus more on creating a cozy atmosphere, with many customers working or chatting with friends. Every morning, regular customers would come for coffee, and gradually, we became friends. They not only recommended local foods but also took me to experience various local activities.

Experience Sharing

Through my working holiday experience of over a year, I've gathered some valuable insights. First, pay attention to age restrictions when applying for visas - most countries require applicants to be between 18-30 years old. Second, prepare sufficient proof of funds, usually enough to cover return airfare and initial living expenses.

Regarding preparation, I recommend thorough research before departure. Understand the cost of living, job opportunities, and accommodation options in your target country. Also, prepare an English resume and practice interview skills.

Gains

The benefits from this working holiday experience far exceeded my expectations. First was the improvement in language skills - my English improved significantly through daily interactions with people of different accents. Second was the enhancement of professional skills - I learned professional coffee-making techniques and improved my service awareness and communication abilities.

More importantly were the cultural encounters and personal growth. I learned how to survive in unfamiliar environments and interact with people from different cultural backgrounds. This experience made me more independent and confident, and gave me a clearer understanding of the lifestyle I want.

In Australia, I learned to enjoy the sun and beaches; in New Zealand, I fell in love with outdoor activities and nature; in Canada, I experienced the charm of multiculturalism. Each country left me with unique memories and insights.

This working holiday experience of over a year not only showed me the vastness of the world but also gave me a deeper understanding of myself. I realized that life has many possibilities, and stepping out of your comfort zone reveals even more exciting opportunities.

Have you considered experiencing a working holiday? Or do you already have similar experiences? Feel free to share your thoughts and stories. Let's discuss this unique way of traveling and discover more possibilities in life together.