Why did you choose New Zealand?
Andrea: New Zealand is a beautiful country and very easy to travel in. It was also my last chance to get a working holiday visa before I turn 30, so that was enough for me. Also, I wanted to get significant work experience abroad in my field of expertise. A working holiday was simply the easiest way to start.
How would you describe Working Holiday Starter's services?
Andrea: I had a very good service. They sorted out all my paperwork very quickly. They also have a lot of connections and chose a very good hostel for me. It was the perfect base if you're willing to spend few months working in Auckland.
I consider the "Working Holiday Starter Pack" as a very useful service, especially for people that have never travelled before and experienced abroad because it can be quite scary to organise for the first time a big adventure like this on your own.
A lot of associations asked me for more money for things I didn't really need that I could manage perfectly on my own. This Starter Pack was very good value for money, I would definitively recommend it to my friends.
What was the best thing that Working Holiday Starter did for you?
Andrea: The Job Workshop service! Because they gave me very useful leads and advice in order to find a job really quickly. I could have been able to do some of the other things myself but definitively having all this knowledge and follow up in this Job Desk Service was awesome. It was the best way to understand NZ's job market. I got the kind of job that I wanted after that.
And, also, they offered me great deals on the Stray Bus passes!
What job did you do in New Zealand?
Andrea: I was a sales consultant back home. It was the job that I've been doing for a while. I wanted to improve my CV here and bring back home some overseas experience.
I'm working for an international wine company – it's very fun! I organised wine tastings for customers all over New Zealand. It's a fun job also because I can travel around the country. I had the chance to get on with local people just having few glasses of wine! Basically, I experienced real Kiwi life!
What advice would you give to someone that is about to go in New Zealand on a working holiday visa?
Andrea: Relax! It will be fun. It will be one of the best experiences of your life. But have a plan: not everything will be easy and no job is guaranteed. It will be one of the best experiences of your life only if you keep your mind open and be willing to try new things and sometimes even work hard.
What was your biggest challenge?
Andrea: Find a job along the line of my previous work experience. Thanks to the connections and help of Working Holiday Starter I knew where and how to look and get the job on my own.
What have you taken away from this experience in New Zealand?
Andrea: "Travel is the only thing that you buy that makes you richer," I think it is the best answer that I can give you.
What is your favourite spot or story in NZ so far?
Andrea: Queenstown! It's a party town and beautiful scenery and, of course, I like skiing too.