Things to do before taking on the world

Press, 26 February 1986, Page 13

Things to do before taking on the world

MARGARET BAKER

begins the first of a two-part series on

preparing for the great O.E.

The great thirst for Overseas Experience seems to hit young New Zealanders.

Perhaps it is because of our own relative isolation from the rest of the world. Maybe we have our awareness raised at an early age by all those social studies classes, with big maps that pulled down over the blackboard—and endless capital cities tests.

Whatever, we go. All over the place. The majority of us probably start, or end up, in Britain (staying at great aunt’s second cousin’s place to begin with). Before going, however, a bit of organisation is required. It makes things a lot easier when suddenly, there you are at Heathrow, surrounded by Arabs and Japanese, wondering what on earth you’re doing there. Preparation comes in all shapes and sizes, and goes a long way. It ranges from remembering to get your vaccinations for India, to just talking to someone who’s been there, and getting an idea—some idea—of the place. Being prepared, also extends to things like going with a sense of purpose: knowing what it is you want to do, and what you want from your time overseas.

Decide whether you just want to have a look at the other side of the world, whether you’re actually going because you see it as a form of personal growth and an opportunity to find out about yourself and what you want, or whether it is an urge to ski California or cycle around Europe. How you go also needs thinking about Will you go alone, or with a friend, or in a group.

If it’s not alone, then you need to think about whether the aims and interests of the other people are similar to your own, and just how much travelling you will do together.

The director of the Adventure Travel Shop in Christchurch, Mr Lindsay Cowan, helps a lot of young people prepare for their overseas trip, and recommends going with a friend only if you know each other well and have compatable interests, or can be flexible in your plans. “If you go alone you’ll meet up with other young travellers very quickly, this can often allow you more freedom to do what you want.” So, you’ve decided why and how you’re going. The next thing is to go and do it. Buy a ticket, get a passport, read the book, and see the film. The following Is a basic check-list of “things to do before taking on the world.”

Passports

and visas

Unless you’re going to Rarotonga or Norfolk Island, you have to have a passport. These are obtained through the Department of Internal Affairs, and usually applications are filed through travel agents. Lindsay Cowan says the processing time for passports varies seasonally, but he suggests applying for one six months before you intend leaving the country. "There’s nothing worse than leaving the country in a last minute panic. Things like passports can be taken care of early.” Many young New Zealanders are able to claim British partriality, by right of a grandparent born in the United Kingdom. With a patriality stamp in your passbook, you may stay and work in Britain for as long as you like. To obtain patriality, you have to present your grandparent’s original birth and marriage certificates.

Otherwise, if you are a true blue Kiwi, you can enter Britain on a working holiday certificate if you are aged under 27. This allows you to stay for two years. If you are going on the working holiday certificate, you have to be seen to be self-sufficient by producing evidence of funds. These must be no less than SNZ2SOO.

Visas are also required before entering a number

of countries. These can be

obtained before leaving New Zealand, or through consulates in other countries. The length of time you are granted in any country will depend on the immigration authorities at the port of entry.

Tickets Buying a ticket has become a bit like going out and buying a car, or find-

ing the right pair of shoes in the right colour and right size. A lot of looking around and sorting out just what it is you want needs to be done.

Everybody’s travelling aims are different. But whether you want a oneway ticket, a return, or around-the-world deal, it is worth checking out the prices at more than one travel agency or airline. Airfare wars are raging at the moment, and some big savings could be made with a bit of investigation. Despite this, Lindsay Cowan warns to beware of cheaper tickets which may have hidden costs, such as compulsory overnight stays. “There are a lot of good bargains in airfares around, but some people get a little blind for economy, and forget that while they may pay less to go a little out of their way, the extra money needed to get where they really want to be will just add up.” The cheapest tickets available through most airlines operate on an early-purchase system. The ticket has to be reserved and paid for within a certain time, usually 21 days before travel. Round-the-world tickets allow for travel on two international airlines, usually for the period of one year. Countries and cities in which you may stop over are determined by the combination of airlines you choose. Travel must be in a continuous

Trout fishing has lured this young Californian to New Zealand. Photographed leaving Christchurch for the rivers of west Otago on Monday, Dan Galloway, aged 24, is on his second trip to New Zealand, and plans to stay for three months before heading for Australia.

“I love travelling here.

west or eastbound direction.

Money Depending on individual needs and preferences, money can be taken overseas in the form of currency, travellers’ cheques, bank drafts, transfer of funds, and bankcards.

“Whatever you take you need to feel confident about handling your money,” advises Lindsay Cowan.

“There is no limit to the amount of currency you can take out of New Zealand, but this can be quite an unsafe way of carrying money.

“If you lose it it’s often hard to prove how much you had and very hard to recover.” Travellers’ cheques are an uncomplicated and internationally recognised form of money. Bank drafts are an easy way to take one lump sum of money with you, and convert it when you arrive. Bankcards are becoming increasingly popular, with Visa cards used widely in every country, and Bankcards especially useful in Australia. “A card allows you a back-up if you get into a difficult situation. But you should keep control on what you spend, as the invoices keep coming through in your home country. It’s a good idea to give someone at home power of attorney to pay these bills.” Transfer of funds usually only applies if you are going to be resident in a county for a long period, and need to transfer a large amount of money. When you buy your money is up to you, and usually depends on when your own finances are available. If this is only a few weeks before leaving, you have little choice about the exchange rate. If it’s available early, it can be a hard decision to

The people are friendly, and it really felt like coming home when I got off the plane,” he said. “It’s very safe — I wouldn’t hitch-hike in the States, and the outdoors here are still unspoilt” For travelling, Dan recommends taking as little as possible and going with a purpose.

make, especially with the floating of the New Zealand dollar and the daily fluctuations in the rate. It’s a bit of a hit and miss situation, and there

are no hard and fast rules. As Lindsay Cowan says, it’s best to just try to take a sane approach. If you are going on a

multi-country tour, or stopping over in many countries before reaching a final destination, he believes it is probably best to keep your money in one currency, such as all

United States dollars or sterling. “There’s less confusion, and when it’s converted you have a clearer idea of its worth.” Just how much money to take also depends on individual circumstances, but if you were heading for Britain for an unspecified time, he recommends taking at least SNZ3SOO to SNZ4OOO. The British authorities require that you have at least SNZ2SOO. “It’s really the first few weeks that are most expensive,” he explains. “Those are the times when you’re getting lost and found in the underground. Once you get into a rhythm and get yourself organised you can live quite modestly, but places like London will always be expensive.” The average price for a bedsitter in London is about £3O a week, or SNZBS. Insurance Insurance policies can be purchased for any length of time between one week and 12 months. “This will depend on the individual’s over-all travel plan, but it’s always a good idea to be insured for at least the actual travel period if you are heading for one particular destination, and for a few

“I like to have a reason for travelling, something I like to do — I think you have a better time if you go with an interest rather than just go to go.” And, he says, at the last minute when it’s really easy to think of excuses not to go — go. “You’ll never regret it.”

weeks after that while you are settling in or getting organised.” Most policies cover loss of deposits or advance payments, travel delay, medical expenses, cultailment of journey, accidents, luggage and personal effects loss, including money, and personal liability. How much cover you buy is decided by choosing the most appropriate premium table for your needs.

Working overseas

Working in Australia and Britain poses few problems, but work permits for other countries can be difficult to obtain. “Most countries have unemployment problems at the moment, and don’t want foreigners taking up positions, unless they can provide skills which are in short supply,” observes Lindsay Cowan. “Generally, I’d say it was very difficult to work in other countries, even Commonwealth countries such as Canada.” To obtain work in countries other than Australia or Britain, it is usual to secure a job before leaving. Many young people answer newspaper advertisements for positions such as nannies, nurses, or engineers. In such cases, the employer has to prove that those particular skills cannot be obtained in his or her home country, and the employee may have to go through a series of medical checks and interviews.

For Australia or Britain, however, Lindsay Cowan says he generally advises people “just to go and see.”

"It’s all part of the adventure of going overseas, and is itself a learning experience. Otherwise, I find people can go with a stereotyped attitude and get bogged down. “In Britain there is quite a bit of work in pubs and factories, and through temp, agencies. And once you’re there you’ll find that people group together in clubs, and many jobs get passed on from one person to another.” If, however, you want to secure a job before leaving home, or just see what the market is like, magazines such as “Workaway,” which is aimed at young New Zealanders, Australians, and Britons going overseas, can give you an idea of the type of work available, and also includes vacancies. It can be obtained through a travel agent. Package tours Organised package tours, ranging from busloads to Land-Rovers, are becoming increasingly popular. Contiki tours for people between 18 and 35 are well-known. Numerous other companies run similar tours for young people.

These packages are usually bought in New Zealand. They include everything from airfares to accommodation—in whatever style you choose.

“There are different types of tours to suit different people, and to suit their travel experience and confidence,” says Lindsay Cowan. “Some are highly organised and use hotels, others are quite basic and self-suffi-cient.”

These tours can, of course, be purchased overseas. Many people use them as a first way to experience travelling in countries with different languages and customs. Many companies offer tours for small groups, or groups of friends. These include safaris through Europe, Asia, and Africa.