More school or a career aren’t the only options
If you’re leaving Lennoxville for the last time this April, you’ve got the world at your feet. You may be continuing studies at the Graduate level, or have a job lined up in the big city. Or are you one of those heading home to your parents to have a panic attack about your life? If you, like so many others, don’t have a clue where to go next, you should consider heading abroad on a working holiday.
A working holiday is a way for you to travel and work in another country. Canadian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 have a chance to work for up to a year or two in many countries around the world.
You can do it on your own or through a company like SWAP Working Holidays. The Canadian government has a website about working abroad, which includes links to the consulates of the countries that are involved in the program. You can find it by doing a web search for “Canadians travel and work abroad.” All you need to do is pick your destination, and follow the link for that country’s working holiday program. You will be taken to the embassy page detailing what it will take for you to get the proper Visa for your trip.
If you’re looking for a little more guidance, signing up with SWAP is a good option (swap.ca). For a small administration fee, a travel counselor will help you select the right destination for you, as well as assist you with your paperwork. Other benefits of the SWAP program are ongoing assistance while abroad, use of the SWAP Exchange website that allows you to connect with other travelers, as well as special services such as job search, computers and internet at the hosting centre in your location. It seems to be the hassle-free way of getting settled in another country.
The best part about being abroad is without a doubt the experience. By spending time in another country, you’re exposed to many different cultures, customs, foods, and people. It will give you an opportunity to try new things, including different jobs, and discover things you’re really passionate about. Not only that, but the kinds of jobs that are common for those on a working holiday are often flexible, which will allow you to travel around more than a typical 9-5 job would.
Whether you’re looking for a different kind of work experience or a way to pay for your travel, a working holiday can benefit any objective. Working in a different country, especially in flexible jobs, will help you pad your resume and make you a more versatile employee for when you decide to join the working world full time. If you’re just hoping to see the world on a budget, working along the way will help make your trip much more affordable.
A working holiday will also help postpone ‘real life’ for another year or two, without forcing you to hit the books again. It’s an exciting way to try something new, and you can exercise more of that independence thing you’ve developed while at Bishop’s. Plus, you’ll have a much better take on the world when you can say you’ve seen more than the pit stops along the 401.
