I have done this before – leaving the country, where I was born and raised. Where my family and friends live. Where I learned most of my values. Where I thought I would spend the rest of my life. (Until I was the age of sixteen, probably.) Where my roots are. It’s not unfamiliar to me. And because of that, it is quite hard not to compare the Canadian experience with the Australian one.
Preparing for Canada I used the help of a travel agency, who guided me on how to apply for the right visa, get my biometrics taken and everything. They also provided me with a list of employers, who usually always take backpackers. The whole process was really easy and smooth. A month before I actually left for Vancouver I already had a fixed working contract. With nothing to worry about, I was able to enjoy the last weeks at home, before I started this unique adventure.
The reason I ended up at the Sea To Sky Gondola in Squamish was because of the travel agency. The reason it turned into Work and Settle, instead of Work and Travel, was because I fell in love there, with the place and a man (, remember Dr Dre?). I enjoyed it so much I extended my visa for another year, which once again is a different story. I‘m sorry for going off the rails every now and then – it‘s just all interconnected.
„Comparison is the thief of joy.“
Theodore Roosevelt
This time, for Australia, I thought I can do it on my own. I know the process. And turns out I could. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. The email with the „Grant Notification“ for my visa came within thirty minutes after applying. Skeptical, but happy about it, I started with the rest of the process. (But it seems as if Australia just takes about any and everyone. Lots of people in Facebook Groups actually complain about the amount of backpackers.) I didn‘t even have to give my biometrics or show a police certificate of good conduct.
I definitely saved a lot of money doing it that way, but I also didn‘t have a list of employers I could send applications to. Now the struggle became real.
I started applying for all sorts of jobs in the Sydney area, two months before I was actually taking off. No answers were ever received. Worries and anxiety started to kick in. Doubts if this was the right decision. Should I be going to Australia?
Well, what else was I going to do? The whole thing is planned and payed for. There’s no chickening out now. So, I arrived Down Under with a lot of uncertainty, without a job in sight. But a lot of hope, and excitement to spend time with my friends.
Even that was going to be different. They weren‘t here on WHV like me. They live here. They have a career here. They study here. They have a social life here. They have family here. This is where they grew up. They are pretty much settled here. Some of them just bought their own apartment in Sydney – they‘re basically homeowners in our age and time.
I had, and sometimes still have to force myself not to compare it to Canada. Where we were all in the same situation. Where we were all in the same boat. This time though, I’m rowing by myself.
Nonetheless, I got some social connections, a social network after all – that was very important to my mum. (Technically, it was one of the conditions she would have not let me leave without.)
To get to the point. I mostly spent my first two weeks in Australia freaking out about the search for a job and apartment, and the hunt for a car. Lots of emails were written, phone conversations held, but nothing ever worked out. Just when I was giving up a little bit of my hope – last Saturday, all the puzzle pieces finally came together. And I was on my way to now, actually start my Work and Travel. Sunday morning I hit the road.
I might be exaggerating. The first two weeks were also amazing, with lots of of new people and places. I won at Catan (a German board game, you should know). Got my ass beaten by Ollie at Air Hockey and Monopoly Deal, but kicked his ass at bowling. Went for beautiful walks and swims in the ocean. And most importantly, finally caught up with close and dear friends I hadn‘t seen in over a year.
Stay tuned for more! So long.
marie louise travels 