[Gtrain]

As you can probably tell, I plan on heading away from the states and into NZ and then maybe to Australia on Holiday work Visas.:bluebanana I am a bit nervous as I have never traveled internationally and I am doing so alone.:uhoh So I guess my biggest concern is finding jobs. From what I have researched so far on the web, everyone seems to have great luck with finding a good job in either country.....is this true? I am just worried I will get to NZ and then be out of luck and have to head back when my funds run out. I have a bachelors degree and some customer service and professional work experience....will this help make me an ideal candidate for hospitality work? So if anyone has any advice I will take it!!!! I am open to any and all suggestions...so please share if you can! I plan on heading to NZ in April and then hopefully heading to Australia in September (remaining there until December). Thanks for your time.

[JandM]

Hello, and welcome to the forum. :)

[Mrs Pony]

Well hello fellow Floridian! Where in FL are you?

OH went to NZ on a WHV in 2006. He says to register with the temp agencies ASAP, take their little test and you should have work in no time! I'm sure you will be fine with the skills that you have... if you even have basic computer skills you should be golden.

[Gtrain]

Thanks JandM.

I am in central Florida, between Orlando and Daytona. So should I not bother going through a program such as BUNAC or STA or the like? It seems like it would just be a waste of money if I can just as easily get a job on my own. Also, with the jobs that area available, will they pay enough to live and save money to travel after working for a few months? Thanks.

[tea drinker]

Hello and welcome from me too :)

[Mrs Pony]

I am in central Florida, between Orlando and Daytona. So should I not bother going through a program such as BUNAC or STA or the like? It seems like it would just be a waste of money if I can just as easily get a job on my own. Also, with the jobs that area available, will they pay enough to live and save money to travel after working for a few months? Thanks.

Well i'll be! We're in Altamonte!

The WHV is pretty much the same as what you would get from BUNAC (minus the orientation that you would have to sit through)... OH used CCUSA (http://www.ccusa.com/programs/du/) to get his WHV. He also had about US$6000 so you need to make sure you have plenty of $ saved up for spending as well as for the plane tickets (they range from US$1300+). There is also a certain amount that you need to have saved up in order for you get get the WHV.

You could probably do everything yourself to be honest... If it's anything like the EOI & ITA... It's just a lot of paperwork and waiting!

What exactally are you wanting to do? What exactally do you mean by hospitality work? Hotels? Restraunts? You don't tip in NZ restraunts/bars like here in the US so don't bank on getting $100 in tips every night...

He did temp jobs the whole time he was there and he made about $16-18hr. That won't really be enough to travel but you will be able to somewhat "live it up". He had about 3-4 other roommates and went out a few nights a week.

Well there is my 2 cents!

[sweetpea]

Can you rearrange your schedule so that you are in Australia for the winter and New Zealand for the summer? June through September in New Zealand is ... ahem... suboptimal. Cold, grey and rainy. Plus, there are more temporary work opportunities in spring, summer and autumn.

[Mrs Pony]

Can you rearrange your schedule so that you are in Australia for the winter and New Zealand for the summer? June through September in New Zealand is ... ahem... suboptimal. Cold, grey and rainy. Plus, there are more temporary work opportunities in spring, summer and autumn.

Thats a great point. When hubby got to NZ, in June, it was cold and dreary. He didn't expect it. Was totally unprepared for the winter weather. You would most likely want to go to NZ in November thru April.

[megs8257]

I went to NZ last year on WHV and did everything myself. I too went alone. It was super easy to get everything lined up. Your WHV is all online. I applied online through NZ immigration website and got my electronic WHV in 3 days time.

I would not waste time nor money with agencies to help you get everything lined up. As far as finding work I was pretty much in the same boat as you. Looking for work in Hospitality. I had applied for jobs via www.seek.co.nz and had interviews lined up when I arrived. It took me exactly a week to get a job in Auckland.

Best of luck with your travels

-Meg