[drew]

Hello, everyone!

I'm a young (23) American (Ithaca, NY) recent graduate (Cornell University) preparing to ship off to New Zealand for a year this coming September. This site has been extremely informative, and first off I'd just like to thank everyone for contributing and making this all a little bit less confusing and lonesome.

That said, I do feel somewhat removed from the general status of the emigrants on this forum and a little unsure of how I fit into the picture. Specifically, I appear to be younger, less travel/work experienced, more transient, and more... um... poor than the average member of the forum. I suppose I am writing in hope of anecdotal advice, gentle encouragement, vehement criticism, or all of the above that anyone feels compelled to respond with.

I'll be entering NZ with a 'working holiday visa' through a program called BUNAC (heard of them? Used them? Hate or love them?) My plans get vague from there. Once airfare, student loan payments, and various expenses are set aside, I plan on entering the country with about $4000 US to my name. At that point I’ll be in need of affordable housing, any job I can lay my hands on, and some sort of a social life—preferably in that order. Theoretically, I will be searching around Auckland for these things, but this is only because it seems relatively convenient and I am entirely open to alternative possibilities. The ‘flatmates wanted’ section of trademe.com strikes me as a great resource for cheap housing and-- depending on who I talk to or what I’m reading-- unskilled jobs are either plentiful or nonexistent. I won’t be coming over with anything I can’t take on the plane with me, I’ll be entirely dependant on public transportation (another reason Auckland appeals relative to less urban areas,) and I won’t be bowling any potential employers over with a lengthy and impressive CV. That said, I am ambitious, eager for change, and floored by everything that I have read about the beautiful environment and culture of New Zealand. So: am I a moron? A hapless optimist in for a rough landing? Has anyone here ever done something similar? Is it time for me to stop rambling? Okay.

Thanks for reading and any response,
Drew

[SNK05]

Hi Drew.....

Don't have any words od wisdom I'm afraid, just wanted to wish you all the best on your journey!

Good luck

Sue n Kev
xx

[victoria24]

greetings my hard rockin American amigo. you do share the sense of adventure we all have within us on this forum whatever our ages or social standing and I'm sure others will be along to wish you well also

[slider]

Hello, and welcome to the forum:)
It's great to hear that the pioneering spirit is still alive Aand kicking in the US of A :nice1

[ourquest]

Well if all else fails you can write lots more entertaining stuff for us to read. Who needs a cv when you have a sense of humour? All the best, mate, I have no doubt that you'll find everything you are looking for in Auckland. Or Wellington. Or Christchurch. Or Napier, New Plymouth or Hamilton. Dunedin perhaps? Invercargill at a push. Perhaps just not Ohura, where even the prison closed down due to lack of interest. So in answer to your biggest current question, no, you are definitely no idiot (but you knew that already).

[Parsley]

Nah - don't worry about it - just go for it! You only get one shot at this life, so grab the opportunities as they go past. If you're that enthusiastic and willing to give stuff a go, then I'm sure you'll be fine. My sister landed in Auckland yonks ago with no money and a willingness to work wherever she could - she's been in Queenstown now for a good few years, happily married to a great Kiwi guy and just had her first wee baby - so you never can tell where your path will take you. Go have fun and enjoy the opportunities and challenges that living in a new country brings :D

[dilanium]

You're not too bad off. I'm 26, and though I'm pursuing a degree, I'm in much the same situation as you. I'm also from Ohio, and have spent most of my life there, so I know how huge of a leap this is.

If you don't do it, you'll never know. Just think of it this way, at least your student debt isn't getting bigger while going to NZ. :)

I also don't have a car, and Palmy is a pretty small town (I don't recommend coming here unless you have a really good reason to without a car), so I kinda feel stuck. I know I could take a bus or train to Wellington or Auckland, I just don't have time with all my studying (which I'm procrastinating right now).

You'll be okay, there seems to be lots of general jobs about (at least here in Palmy) so I'm sure you'll be fine in Auckland. Just remember that this is a different culture even though they speak the same language, so try not to think of things as right and wrong, just different.

I say go for it, it's definitely an adventure!

[swissmissdesigner]

Good luck drew!

"Just go with the flow"

Mostly Kiwis are friendly and very helpful, you will be fine!!


Anna

[Joolzr]

I did BUNAC 10 years ago in Toronto and had a fab time. But found it hard to get a job. Although it was the middle of the deep 90's recession which didn't help. I remember BUNAC having some social stuff and a support person in place to help you out?

I'm guessing you can use a PC, given that you are on an internet forum ;). and that means you have skills if you are willing to temp to get yourself started. So I wouldn't worry too much.

I'm surviving Auckland on the link bus: have a look at www.maxx.co.nz for public transport in Auckland.

Good luck, I have fond memories of my trip. Let us know how you get on.

Julie

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

No, we don't like your sort one here

:laugh Ha ha, only joking of course

Welcome and I'm sure you'll find some helpful souls on the forum.

[buraian-kun]

Drew,

Welcome, and congratulations on your adventure!

I don't know anything about BUNAC, but I went to Japan when I was 26 with $300 in my pocket. Of course, I had the advantage of a job waiting for me with subsidised housing, so a lot of things were easier. On the other hand, you're fluent in the primary language of the country you're moving too.;)

Despite the many difficulties, those three years were just about the best time of my life. So as others have said, you're young. Take advantage of the freedom you have to do this sort of thing, because it does get harder with time, a career, responsibilities.

Keep us posted on how you're doing.

Cheers,
-Brian*

[Mrs Pony]

Yeah another American! :clap
AND a young broke one just like us! :nice1

I'm 26 and the Other Half (OH) is 28.I was born in NY...don't count as a New Yorker anymore though...I was raised in FL but all my extended family still live up there.

OH did a working holiday visa as well (before we got hitched) and he LOVED it! He came back talking about it non-stop! He went in March 2006...came back in March 2007... we went for our honeymoon in March 2008... came back and submitted our EOI. He lived in Wellington, no car and got a job using a Temp Agency. He made really great friends with his roommates and co workers who he still talks to this day and keep asking us when we're going to be back.

It will be a great adventure and you won't regret it! If you don't like it you can just move back to the US or some other country!

He used http://www.ccusa.com/country.aspx

[James 1077]

Don't worry too much - just come for the adventure.

When I was 18 I headed over to Australia's Gold Coast for 6 months. My back pocket had the grand total of $2000 in it and I had no job to go to.

I found work in Sea World, initially directing cars around the car park and later selling ice creams in the park. I stayed in a few places (a couple of backpackers hostels and I flatted as well (the hostels were the better option and cheaper!)). Most importantly I also met my wife-to-be!

All in all I had a fantastic time and it was a great adventure.

So go for it!

[Hejwitch_uk]

Go for it....GOOD LUCK!!

[djchicane]

You'll have a great time, and to answer a BUNAC question - yes, I used the BUNAC scheme to get my 1 year work visa back in April - less restrictions than a standard WHV, which allows me to work for the full duration of the visa for any employer rather than the 3 month rule I understand comes with the WHV.

Cheers,

Dave

[akp713]

As we say in NZ, no worries mate, she'll be right!

I'm a 23 year old American living in Auckland and I'm a broke grad student. I live on less a month than the NZ minimum wage ($12/hr) would earn me and I think I live pretty well. That includes paying for petrol for my car at $50/week which you won't have to worry about. I've had a hard time finding part-time work in retail but if you're willing to do anything I'm sure you can find a job, NZ has a low unemployment rate by US standards. For a social life with other 20-somethings Auckland is definitely the place to go as it has multiple universities and a vibrant night-life.

Good luck!

[TheNaylors]

Hi Drew,

I certainly don't count you as an idiot! What have you got to lose by having a bit of an adventure in your life? You are young enough to adjust and blend into a new way of life seamlessly and you sound wiser than most people I know of the same age.

Life is an adventure and you can only make it as good as you want it to be...so go for it and enjoy life! :yes

Julie

[AndyR]

Hey! I am kinda in the same boat. I Just finished university and came over! I did have a job already secured so that was less pressure. I am 24 and came over here not knowing anyone and with little money in my pocket.

Ive only been here a week but Ive already made friends, have a place to live (trademe) and just got a car.

Go for the adventure otherwise you will regret putting it off.

any questions just ask.

[tea drinker]

Hello and welcome
Always room for one more :yes

[dusk]

Hello Drew and welcome, I think you can already see there's plenty of people with your youth and some experiences to share here too :D

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Hello and welcome. Go for it and good luck.





Suzanne.

[calixfornia]

Hello I'm so glad you're here!

Attitude is EVERYTHING and it is true what they say "where there's a will there's a way". You have the right attitude and you will have a fantastic time!
Hubby and I are young (I'm 26), we've never been to NZ, we saved up some money... about $5000, but last minute had to spend it to get my teeth fixed. So now we have, officially, about $300 to our names and we leave in 2 weeks. We have our plane tickets for August 25 and we are moving to Wellington and starting our adventure. If worse comes to worst, we have a tent, and will forage for food. But I truly don't think it will come to that. Our mantra has always been 'where there's a will, there's a way' and it's true. You are optimistic and full of energy, and the world is yours when your eyes are open.
We won't have a car either, Wellington has the best public transportation from what I hear. You can walk, bike, skate, bus, whatever in the city (Auckland included). And you know they have thrift stores and hopefully dumpsters to dive in New Zealand too! So you will always be able to get stuff even if you are poor. If you do end up in Welly we should meet up!

Best of luck to you! I just know you're going to have the time of your life!

[Leanne]

Hi Drew. You don't want to live life full of "what if's". If it doesn't work out as you had planned and you end up back home, at least you'll have had an amazing adventure. Good luck with everything!