[Culture] Working Holiday

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Working Holiday 5.docx

[Culture]

Working Holiday

By Lee Hyeon-ju, Culture Reporter, twohj1218@mju.ac.kr

For young people, working abroad can provide them with more expectancy and excitement. With the increasingly tight job market in South Korea, more and more young people are looking for information about overseas employment. Due to this growth in popularity, language schools have been experiencing an unexpected boom. Along with these trends, students are paying closer attention to experiencing a working holiday.

The working holiday is a system that is designed to allow young people to work legally to cover their expenses while traveling abroad. A normal tourist visa does not allow you to work, but you can get a job if you get a working holiday visa. It was specially designed to promote mutual understanding and exchanges among countries by providing a variety of opportunities for young people aged from 18 to 30.

- Newly Added Working Holiday Systems

< Poland >

Official language : Polish

Period of stay: 12 months

Quota: 200 persons per year

Major cities: Warsaw and

Kraków

Affordable prices

< Spain >

Official language: Spanish

Period of stay: 12 months

Quota: 1,000 persons per year

Major cities: Barcelona,

Madrid, Granada, and Seville

* A working holiday agreement was signed earlier this year, and the application period for this visa is expected to begin.

- English Speaking Countries

<United Kingdom>

Official language: English

Period of stay: 24 months

Quota: 1,000 persons per           year

Major cities: London, Cambridge, and Oxford

Longest stay of two years and good for travel to Europe

<Ireland>

Official language: English, Gaelic

The period of stay: 12 months

Quota: 600 persons per year

Major Cities: Dublin, Galway, and Cork

The only country that uses English in Europe, outside of the United Kingdom

- Visa Applications Available Year-round

<Sweden>

Official language : Swedish (but more than 80% of Swedish speak English)

Period of stay: 12 months

There is no limit to the number of workers

Major cities: Stockholm and Halmstad

Recommended for those who want to experience Nordic life

<Italy>

Official language : Italian

Period of stay: 12 months

Quota: 500 persons per year

Major cities: Rome, Milan, and Venice

Recommended for those who are interested or majoring in fashion, cooking, and coffee

- Unusual Countries

<Republic of Chile>

Official Language: Spanish

There is no limit to the number of workers

Major cities: Santiago, Valparaiso, and Viña del Mar

Opportunity to live in South America

<Portugal>

Official Language: Portuguese

The period of stay: Maximum of 12 months

There is no limit to the number of workers

Major cities: Lisbon, Porto, and Sintra

There are no limits to language training or employment

-Real Experience Interview

Q. Could you tell us about yourself and the experiences after you came to UK?

I am Kim Min and 23 years old. I am majoring English and Chinese in the Department of International Business Language at Seokyeong Univ. I am interested in animal and environmental activities, and performing arts such as musicals and theater. UK was a country that I had loved since high school, so I decided to here as a working holiday. I also worked as a part timer for about a year in Korea Lush. The value of Lush's movement matches the value I seek. Now I have a dream working at the corporate headquarters of Lush.

Q. Please tell us about the initial settlement and language.

It usually takes more than a week when house-hunting in London. When I arrived at UK, I went house-hunting the next day. The house was in good condition, and the distance from the language institute was so close that I could have my room three days after arriving. I was lucky. My advise, never contract a room in Korea. You should check heating, waterworks, cleanliness, etc. with your eyes. I recommend you to go to the language institute if you really need it. In my opinion, it is good to have time to adjust in a language school in a month because it would be very hard at first even if you are good at English.

Q. What are the benefits of Working Holiday in UK?

I like the working environment. The UK is legally obligated to pay four weeks of paid leave a year! In addition, Lush allows 5-6 weeks of paid leave. So I could travel to other European countries once every two months. And in my case, my most of colleagues are British, so my English-speaking skill has really improved. I can go to any gallery or museum that are opened for free at any time. The best thing is that I could get a wide range of thoughts, opinions, and self-reliance.

Q. Finally, could you tell us about anything you would like to advise the beginners of Working Holiday?

I do not know where you will go, but you must study the language of the country beforehand. Even if you can speak English fluently, the English you have learned in Korea is really different from the English native speakers use to communicate in daily life. (Especially in UK!)

Therefor if you want to go to English speaking countries, UK is not likely to get a Working Holiday Visa at once, so it is good to think about two or three another countries. I personally think Canada is the next working holiday country. If you want a quiet country, I recommend New Zealand, Canada and Ireland. If you want to feel lively, I recommend UK and Australia. I have never lived apart from my own family for 23 years, and I have never been on my own trip. Do not worry. Challenge yourself. 💕

Would you like to challenge yourself to a new place rather being stable in a familiar place? No one can know for sure what life is like in another place, or whether new opportunities are waiting for you there. If you have a dream to live abroad and have the courage to leave, why not prepare yourself for a working holiday?