A working holiday
is a fantastic way to get in touch with a culture while also giving you
the means to stay in a country for longer. But, do you plan to hit the
job scene immediately, or would it be better
to travel a bit first before settling down?
This is a pretty
popular topic of debate for those heading overseas to work, or even to
study for that matter. Why? The reason for it is the idea that people
who end up working right away won't end up doing
as much travel as they would otherwise. They may simply leave when the
time is up, head home and then regret not taking advantage of the time
abroad while they had it.
The Problems with Working First
Going overseas
with the option of working means that individuals don't have to save as
much money. It could help to make travel happen sooner for those with
extremely itchy feet, or for those that are just
wanting to get away from their everyday lives. This option is perfect
for a change of pace, but without proper planning, it could mean that
you don't see as much of the country.
What I have found
personally is that I often get comfortable with my routine in whatever
city I set-up in. I get a place to live, find some friends to hang out
with, and work and normal life plans may just
get in the way of weekend excursions.
Routine is a sneaky sort of travel thief, making it hard to have
the mindset of heading on a trip without planning in advance. You know
the deal; you have a friend's birthday party on next weekend and the
following there's a good concert to check out.
What's the use in going away for just a day?
Another problem
with working first is the allocation of travel funds to normal life
funds. In other words, you may have set aside a certain amount of money
for your Australian travels, for example, but during
your working time you could possibly be forced to dip into these funds
if your normal life (rent, going out, etc.) ends up costing more than
normal. It may only be a bit here and there, but it can definitely add
up after a few months and leave you with seriously
less funds to travel after.
The Problems with Traveling First
I haven't heard
of anybody having this exact issue, but I'm assuming it could happen.
If you travel too long before you stop to work, you could find yourself
in a position without the proper funds to pay
for a place to live, whether that be an apartment or a hostel. If you
don't have anywhere to stay, or money to pay for living in the interim
(before you get a paycheck), it could lead you to heading home before
your intended departure date.
In addition,
there's the problem with just thinking you have finished with the
country after doing a bit of travel. Perhaps your wanderlust gets the
best of you, and instead of settling down in a city for
some time to work, you just decide to head to a different country.
This isn't a bad thing, really, but there is the idea that you miss out
on some really amazing experiences by not trying your hand at “living”
abroad.
Is there a right
or wrong answer to this debate? I don't think so, but what about you?
While everyone's situation is always going to be a bit different,
getting feedback from others helps us to make decisions
suitable to our own needs and wants.
Related Articles:
Australia Working Holiday Regrets: what you should have done before leaving home
What To Do When No One Wants To Hire Working Holiday Makers
Share your opinion. Work first, then travel? Or - travel first, then work?
About the Author
Brooke
Schoenman is a world traveler turned Australia expat. She's done the
whole work and holiday thing herself and can definitely tell you a thing
or two about traveling down under. For some travel
inspiration, be sure to check out more of her work at Brooke
vs. the World and
WhyGo Australia.
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