Nineteen-year-old Bronwen Rees started uni this year, but realised it was the wrong place and wrong time for her to study. She has now taken a gap year and says she has never regretted that decision.

An unplanned gap year is currently turning out to be the best year of my life!

I've been to Austria and worked in a 5-star chalet as a chalet hostess and then if it couldn't get any better I am now umpiring and working in the land of the Kiwis, while living with my man.

A year ago, I was what you would call an average student, taking my A levels expecting reasonable enough grades to get me in what I thought was the uni of my choice. In fact this year I did start uni, however, it didn't last. Once there I realised almost immediately that this is not what I wanted, so to the disapprovement of most of those who surrounded me, I quit. But now I can only say one thing and that's figures up to them.

I have just completed a ski season in Austria - no I don't speak German, no wasn't the most amazing skier but, hay, I liked the sport and well why shouldn't I give a new language a try? I've learnt one haven't I?

I'm going to be completely honest with you, it wasn't easy I have never been that far away from family for such a long period of time but the surroundings were so beautiful, the people I worked with were just lovely (most of the time), the chalet was phenomenal and an A for me, I was kept busy most of the time. I worked five days out of seven, working evening and breakfast shifts, and sometimes changing rooms; that left me the entire afternoon to do what I pleased, and well of course I skied. From Dec to April, I was skiing four to five days out of the seven and now consider myself quite good at skiing.

This is not only area where I have improved, I'm far more confident and have the people skills that most working environments require as well as a huge amount of work experience under my belt. Now I can't forget the most important things: the mountains had so much skiing available to me both piste and off piste; the social life was OK,  I have to admit it was ideal for me as I'm not a huge drinker but there were so many local towns offering much more to do. I can honestly say that this was the greatest experience and time of my life.

Until now that is ... I am currently living in New Zealand and yes it has not stopped raining for nearly a week, and its freezing cold and only going to get colder but I come from England so let's be honest its no worse than what I'm used to. And I have just visited the adrenaline filled town of Queenstown and Milford Sound, a place that contains the most stunning scenery in the world, so I am happy to tell you that the weather has not and will not dampen my spirits.

I will be working in Dunedin until July in a Thai restaurant, waitressing will be my trade. Then for what all this is for, one month to travel the two beautiful islands and do all those things that should be done in a place like this. We plan to hire a campervan and visit those must-see places and do those must-do things. I am out here with my boyfriend, he is playing rugby, I have been welcomed into his club with the wonderful Kiwi hospitality that can only be raved about and in fact tonight I am heading out as a flapper to one of their socials. I, though, have chosen to leave the rugby to the boys and decided to experience the most popular girls sport here. Netball. 

I both play and umpire the sport back in England and while being a popular sport with girls there, I can simply say I have never seen anything on the scale New Zealand has. I have been umpiring at The Edgar centre in Dunedin  where they play over 50 games just on a Saturday, I'd say that's a tad few more then eight a night. I have not had the opportunity to play but that has not bothered me in the slightest, I have been encouraged to work for my regional level of umpiring. As mentioned the hospitality of the Kiwis has just been wonderful and through my boyfriend's rugby club we have been invited to dine with many members, offered weekends away and invited to the homes of many of the lads when they break up for their holidays to both stay and experience their hobbies and family. I am most grateful for where I am and who I have met even if it does rain for my entire stay.  

I can't say much more on New Zealand at the moment, however in a few months time I hope to be talking non-stop about the place, I simply cannot wait for the rest of this experience. My only fear is that it will end far to soon and  I will have to return back to my home and start uni this September.

What surprises me most is that this is the last thing anyone expected me to do, I was told again and again by college, friends and certain members of my family to complete uni and then do as I please. All I can say is I'm glad I didn't listen to any of them and well just simply followed my heart and head. My advice to anyone in even just considering a gap year or seriously thinking about it is ... DO IT!

- Where are you on your New Zealand working holiday? Don't forget to send us your blog entries!

©Visa Bureau 2003-2010

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Emma Searles has written a blog post for us once before, in November last year, and won herself a tidy stack of prizes including free hostel nights at BASE and Escape Rental campervan hire. Here is a blog post she sent in from a recent trip where she took full advantage of the Queenstown Rafting white water rafting trip prize we sent her.

For those visiting the South Island there is a lot to see and do. 

In March, I left my Christchurch base and spent an evening at Lake Tekapo. Having booked in advance, I was able to attend an 'Earth & Sky' Stargazing tour. You are taken to the top of Mount John and guided on how to use the telescopes, and your own eyes, to see an incredible amount of stars and constellations. It was truly breathtaking, especially being able to see Saturn and the rings around it! 

Awakening the next day to views of Lake Tekapo's aquamarine waters was also astounding. Taking photos of the 'Church of the Good Sheperd' is a must. From there, it is a scenic drive to Wanaka where 'Puzzling World' will keep all ages entertained for hours, whether in their split level maze, puzzle cafe or Illusion rooms. On route to Queenstown, a stop at the picturesque former gold-mining town of Arrowtown is worthwhile. It feels like a slice of the past thanks to the workers' cottages, timber-framed shops and tree-lined avenues.

Soon enough, via some giddy heights, you will reach infamous Queenstown. There is so much to do if you enjoy being outdoors. Highlights for me were the Gondola and Luge (racing aplenty), T.S.S Earnslaw steamboat trip and my favourite, white-water rafting. Despite the early start and wetsuit shennigans, we boarded our dinghies, paddles in hand and set off. Due to the shortfall of rain, the Shotover River - the wilder of the two - was closed so our trip took place on the Kawarau. It is gorgeous. The day was a perfect balance of paddling, swimming, rapids and sightseeing. I heartily recommend it.

The planned trip to Milford Sound had to be cancelled due to weather conditions so I would advise having a back up as it's not the first time I've enountered this. Instead, I chose to head to Dunedin to take a self guided tour of the city, which I followed the next day with a trip to the nearby Otago Peninsula. Here, it is possibe to see seals lounging blissfully unaware on the beach and, if you time it right, penguins. The peninsula is also home to New Zealand's only castle, Larnach Castle. The grounds are stunning and the views from the castle are really impressive. Makes you wonder how so much tragedy could happen at such an amazing place...

All of this was done in a speedy six days, so be prepared for some long car journeys when in New Zealand.
However, they are truly worth the effort.

- Do you know of good places for New Zealand working holiday makers to visit? Let us know in the comments!

©Visa Bureau 2003-2010

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Kate McPhee's top 10 things to do in New Zealand included white water rafting and she braved the challenging Queenstown Rafting trip down the white waters of the Shotover River through the tight corners, twists, turns and cliff edges of the old mining canyon.

I’ve always thought I was someone who pushed the boundaries, stepped out of my comfort zone and tried to live life to the limits, but just quietly I am a bit of a chicken. Having grown up on the East coast of Australia, I’ve lived in the water so when my friend ask me what were the top 10 things I wanted to tick off my list in New Zealand,  I knew that whitewater rafting was right up there.

When I arrived in Queenstown, known as “the adventure capital of the world”, I was quite nervous just thinking about what my friend had in store for me. There are so many things to do in this town; it’s crazy and also quite overwhelming. Although I’d love to do them all, the content of my wallet disagrees. I don’t mind using that excuse when I get asked if I want to through myself off a bridge, but the one activity that I was without a doubt doing was rafting the Shotover River.

We arrived at Queenstown Rafting shop to check in and the bus took us out to the rafting base where we were to get changed into the most horribly unattractive piece of equipment ever, the wetsuit!

Once we got over the fact that we were doomed to look ridiculous for the next four hours, we jumped on a bus into the river. What I ride, I’ve never had so much adrenalin running through my body on a bus. The only way to drive to the river is through Skippers Canyon; an old gold mining road that has sheer drop offs and rock ledges that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.

We arrived at the river and the trip leader proceeded to tell us all the ins and outs of rafting. All I could think about was how am I going to move in this wetsuit?

We meet our guide who is hilarious, I didn’t stop laughing the whole time and even though I’m a confident swimmer it’s still nice to feel as though I’m in safe hands. As we get closer to the big rapids you feel the build up of nervous energy in your stomach as you hear the roar of the whitewater to come. As we approached the rapid I realised I’d forgotten everything the guide had taught us earlier. The whitewater hits my face and the guide is shouting “forward paddle”.

Suddenly I remember what it is I’m meant to be doing. I looked over at my friend as we were paddling through the rapids and she had the biggest grin on her face. I was asked to help the instructor guide the raft from the front of the boat as we entered a 170 meter long tunnel.

In complete darkness, everyone else was on the floor of the raft but I was sitting on the front listening for when the guide wanted me to paddle. We reach the end of the tunnel and get completely submerged in the white water at the last rapid of the day.

What a brilliant way to finish the trip, all I wanted to do was go back to the top and do it all over again.

- Got a must do New Zealand working holiday adventure experience like white water rafting with Queenstown Rafting?  Comments!

©Visa Bureau 2003-2010

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

 

On New Zealand's South Island is the adventure capital of the world (so says Tourism New Zealand and I don't think this claim is too far fetched).

It's Queenstown!

If the clean mountain air doesn't take your breath away, the skiing, snowboarding, whitewater rafting, skydiving, hang gliding, jetskiing or bungy jumping sure will.

Parts of the Lord of The Rings movie trilogy were filmed around Queenstown, and Queenstown was the base for filming the George Lucas 1988 fantasy film Willow (I'm feeling my age now!). So well, yeah. It's a pretty place.

And the zig-zagging Remarkable Mountains around it as are impressive as the practically four-star (heated!) caravan park bathrooms.
Queenstown might very well be the campervan utopia, but as adventure capital by day it also is a youthful party town by night and Brits often pick up work behind a bar or if they have outdoor activity experience.

It's a bit tricky to get into Queensland, there is no rail for example but it is accessible by road and air, but it is a great location to base yourself to explore the Fiordland National Park and the rest of the Southern Lakes region.

My advice is a campervan, that way you have your own transport and a nature-inspired drive into Queenstown combined with a place to rest your head.

But there are plenty of backpackers and hostels in town if you'd rather skip the driving.  

©Visa Bureau 2003-2010

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.