[Brian]

Just before I move will be when I'm at my most mobile - no job, no bills, very little possessions. I'm thinking that may be a perfect time to go traveling for an extended period, say 6 months to a year. Has anyone else done this or considering doing it before your move? Will the gap on my CV be a problem, or is the concept of an OE so common that it's no big deal? Any other thoughts? The longest trip I've been on is 3.5 weeks, when I went to NZ a few years ago. I've been itching to go on a longer trip for a while now.

[cappuccino]

I did this! I sold my house last July and set off for SE Asia. I backpacked for a few weeks on my own, a few weeks with family and a few weeks with an organised group (Intrepid). I went to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Australia and ended up in New Zealand. I then found a job and came back to the UK in December to organise my work permit, tie up loose ends and arrange shipping. I came back to NZ to start work at the beginning of February.

I decided to do this because I knew that once I arrived in NZ for good, I would never have this kind of opportunity (time or money) again.

I thoroughly recommend it! And no, the gap didn't hurt on my cv as I explained what I had been doing.

[dilanium]

I wish I had the time and funds to do that.

[Brian]

I did this! I sold my house last July and set off for SE Asia. I backpacked for a few weeks on my own, a few weeks with family and a few weeks with an organised group (Intrepid). I went to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Australia and ended up in New Zealand.

That sounds great! Out of curiosity, how much planning did you do ahead of time? Was it always intended to be a 6 week trip ending in a job hunt in NZ or did it just turn out that way?

[cappuccino]

That sounds great! Out of curiosity, how much planning did you do ahead of time? Was it always intended to be a 6 week trip ending in a job hunt in NZ or did it just turn out that way?


I had wanted to do some kind of SE Asia trip for a while and it was supposed to be just a couple of weeks in Thailand at first, but then I found 'Intrepid' and the trip sort of magnified and then I roped in family and friends to meet me in different parts of the world. I was actually away for 5 months in total (sorry, was a bit misleading with my original description of a 'few weeks' here and there). If you want to know more about my trip, I can pm you details of my blog - full of pix and funny stories :)

My plan was always to end up in New Zealand as this has been my dream for about 3 years. Doing the trip fitted in with my life (and availability of funds) at that time.