FAQ’s

What are some reasons that young adults go to Australia and New Zealand to work and travel?

It is very common for European and Canadian nationalities to take a gap year and study abroad for one year before returning back home to attend College. Also students who have graduated college will choose to travel abroad for a year before returning home to start their professional career. This experience looks great on a resume showing skills such as independence, hard work and characteristics of a self-starter.

Who else is doing this?

Just in Australia alone the population grows to an extra four and a half million people during the peak tourism season. Once you arrive you’ll see nationalities that are part of the ‘common wealth’ take time to study and travel abroad.

How old do I have to be?

The most common ages you’ll see are between 18 and 26, but anyone over 18 and under the ages of 30 can join Work and Travel Abroad.

Are you able to find me a job?

Yes. Along with providing you all the necessary tools to travel over seas it essential to have a job so you’re able to fund your travels.  In addition, our partner company in Australia will provide you with job placement services throughout your stay in Australia or New Zealand.

What types of Jobs do you offer?

A variety of different jobs such as hospitality, tourism, bartending or waiting tables. We even place people in the Australian Outback at cattle farms. Some people have a desire to see the Great Barrier Reef and want to work in and around the life of scuba diving.  The jobs we offer at Work and Travel Abroad are set up for temporary assignments. Once that assignment is completed you have the choice of staying with that employer and extending that assignment or starting another temporary job in another part of the country. This allows you to see different cities and other parts of the country so you’re able to learn more about the culture.

Where would I live?

The Australians and Kiwis call them ‘Backpacker Accommodation’ also known as Hostels.  The ‘Backpackers’ over seas are set up differently than other countries. YHA (youth hostel association) are larger hostels with more people. This is a great place to meet lots of people and make new friends to enjoy the experience. There are also privately owned Backpackers or ‘BBH’ hostels that tend to be much smaller and more quaint.  If you’re staying at any one of these for a length of time it seems as if ‘everybody knows everybody’.

What kind of things can I do in my downtime or when I’m not working?

On the east coast of Australia the weather stays warm for most of the year. Outdoor activities are everywhere such as surfing, swimming, beach barbeques, rock climbing, hiking, golfing, etc. In the evening at the backpackers you’ll see people cooking dinner together, lying in the hammocks, reading, playing board games, facebooking with friends, watching movies, or using ‘Skype’ to connect with friends and family back home.

Will I meet like-minded people?

If you have decided to travel and work in Australia or New Zealand than you have an adventurist personality.  The majority of the people you meet while traveling will also have that personality trait and you will find that you have more in common than you initially imagined.

Is traveling always blissful?

While traveling can be very exciting and adventurous you still have day-to-day responsibilities such as waking up for work, cooking dinner, and doing laundry. However, most people consider the fun definitely out weighs the normal responsibilities of life.  Plus, even if you were at home you’d still have the same responsibilities…just without the fun traveling part!

What if I get homesick?

After being way for several weeks it is common to get a little homesick. Even avid travelers get homesick from time to time but we find that over a short period of time the sadness wears off. Calling home or taking advantage of ‘Skype’ to connect with friends or close ones always helps.

What if I don’t like it?

It is possible that you will find the work and travel abroad program is simply not for you.  You are not under any contract to stay the entire year abroad.  Most of the jobs are temporary placements, so we ask that if you decide you want to go home, please communicate with your supervisor and find a date that works best for you to leave.  The employers we work with are very generous to hire our travelers and we do not want to leave them in a bind.  After you leave your position, you can simply book a return flight back home.

If this list of commonly asked questions doesn’t answer the questions you have, feel free to pick up the phone and call us! We’re happy to answer any questions.