The prospect of adventure: This is how you can experience Australia with the working holiday visa!

The prospect of adventure: This is how you can experience Australia with the working holiday visa!

After completing her studies in tourism management, Nathalie Schmucker asked herself how she could use her time wisely. Instead of going straight into an employment contract, she opted for an adventure in Australia. According to a report by Travel before9 She took advantage of a working holiday visa and began an eight-month journey that would take her through various cities and landscapes on the continent.

Before her studies, Schmucker had the desire to travel abroad, but failed due to financial hurdles. After four years of intensive planning and preparation, she was finally able to set off for Australia after completing her bachelor's thesis. Her adventure began in Melbourne, where she spent two weeks exploring the city, followed by a stay in Sydney.

experiences and lifestyle

In Sydney, Schmucker lived on a sailboat and helped with maintenance and organizational work without pay. For her, this experience was a valuable opportunity to grow both in nature and in dealing with people. She traveled from Sydney to Perth with a friend and worked on various projects, including at an animal sanctuary in Western Australia. She specifically selected these stations in order to gain specific experience in dealing with animals.

To prepare for her trip and find accommodation, Schmucker used platforms such as World Packers, Wwoof and Aussie Housesitters. The working holiday visa, which allows people between the ages of 18 and 30 to work in Australia for up to a year, cost her around 500 euros. Information on how to apply for a visa can be found on official websites such as australia.com to find.

Financial planning and return

Schmucker planned her year in Australia with a budget of around 10,000 euros. Despite the fact that she did not work directly in tourism, she was able to gain valuable experience and significantly improve her language skills. She would now like to use these new skills to possibly work for an organizer in the tourism sector after her return to Germany.

Nathalie Schmucker has no regrets about her time off and feels it was the right decision at the right time. She plans to return to Germany next month with the firm goal of putting the experience she has gained into practice.