Here’s my situation: I’m 20, just finished German highschool this summer (we have 13 grades, plus I “lost” one because of my US year). In 2001, I graduated from highschool in the US, during my exchange year. Right now I’m working in my dad’s printing business to earn some money for next year. I’ll be teaching English in Nagoya, Japan from October 2003 until next July.
So far so good, I consider myself really lucky to have such an opportunity.
But I’m thinking a lot about what to do next. Going to college is what everybody expects me to do and I think I should. I wanted to get into film, either directing or acting, but good film schools are insanely expensive. I know German, English, French, Spanish and now I’m starting to learn Japanese. So it might be more reasonable to go into tourism. Since I also love traveling and learning about countries and cultures, I’d probably be a able to start a career more easily than if I wanted to be an actor and still make a living.
The university that I’m considering has a distance-learning program, which allows me to study anywhere in the world, over the web, and still get a full tourism management degree within 18 months. I know it requires a lot of willpower, but if I’m really interested in something that is not a problem.
Now comes the part where I really need some good advice. I could just study from home or go to a local college.
But I’m still young and independent, so I want to see some more of the world. My parents would support me, but money is an issue - I would want to work, if possible. I could pay about $400 rent a month. I’ve been researching living in the Caribbean and South America.
There are many nice apartments for rent, but most sites I saw catered to the luxury market. All I need is a moderate 1-bed apartment with a kitchen, bathroom and internet access.
What countries would you guys recommend? Would I be able to find a part-time job for a few months?
I have a friend that lives there. He walks right out the back door of his apartment and goes scuba diving. No unemployment - you want a job, you can find one no problem.
Dang it - now I want a froo-froo girly drink with a paper umbrella in it.
I have actually been reading a lot about Cayman Islands, they’re awesome. The apartments I found were $1000 and up though. Any ideas where to find affordable ones?
What about work permits, could I easily get one as a German citizen?
Come to New Zealand. You’ll never regret it. With that kind of language ability you’ll pick up work easily if you want it. We are a bit of a cultural melting pot at the moment. Getting permanent residency is a bit of a trick, but that won’t stop you either working or studying. Depending on where you decide to live, rent is cheap. Even in Auckland you could find a place easily for US$400 per month. If you choose to study then you will need to weigh up the financial situation carefully, but it won’t necessarily be a closed door.
What else? People are friendly. The place is beautiful. (Seen LOTR? It really does look like that.) Need more convincing? All I can say is do the research and see what you come up with.
With language skills like that would you try working for a few weeks at the Olympics in 2004 ? I know when they were held down under that language skills were highly valued - most work is volunteer only but there are some paid jobs going and it’s an event thats fairly unique. plus it’ll always look good on your CV.
Working at the Olympics sounds interesting. But I need somewhat of a long-term job, 6 months or more.
I’m a conscientious objector, so nothing military for me.
j_sum1, I would love to live in NZ, I have heard a lot about it. I was on the NZ immigration site, do I need to go through all this application stuff even if I only want to work for a year and then leave?
Fields I could imagine working in are tech, media, design and tourism. Any needs there in NZ?
I don’t know exactly what the criteria are for a work permit, but I gather it’s not too difficult. THere’s a whole swag of possible categories from citizenship, residency, working visa, student visa, tourist visa and who knows what else. I know that heaps of people come on a tourist visa and work anyway, which is not quite legitimate. But you probably have more scruples than that.
Add to the list of possibilities seasonal work such as fruit picking. Dreary I know, but it could give you a foot in the door while you sort out something more suitable – that is if you can’t organise something from where you are.
Any NZ dopers know more than I do about requirements for a work visa?
I’ve been to Vancouver, Calgary and Halifax. Canada is great, I’d just like to live somewhere a little more exotic for a while.
My parents just came back from a vacation in Ireland. Dublin is supposed to be nice. If nothing outside of Europe works out, I’ll consider Scotland and Ireland.
