That’s right, The Land Down Under.

Why all can, and should go

Once a convenient way to utilise British prisoners, how I bet their living descendants would thank and forgive them for whatever crime put them on those boats, however heinous.

Through rose tinted, beer obscured, memories I look back at what was still the best annum of my life so far.

Australia is both a literal, and metaphorical, gold mine which every adventurous soul lucky enough to have the correct passport should visit.

“It’s so expensive….”

YES, but they pay you more. In fact they pay you greater than proportional wage compared to the higher cost of living (You’ll be richer in real terms).

I won’t delve into data nitty gritty’s but at 18, equipped only with low level bar experience, A-levels and and an insatiable thirst for alcohol, I have never felt richer.

All the while paying for all the boring life admin things I had never had to worry about prior, (rent, food, petrol).

This segments into a why you should go. It forces you to get on with building a life. Forced to do it all on your own, you cut the rope, you burn the bridge.

By the end of my time in Australia I was settled. I had a flat with friends, a job, a car, a Sheila¹ , and I lived in a beautiful city. I was able to achieve so much at such a young age was because I had to. There was no bank of Mum and Dad if I lost my job. No retakes. No childhood bedroom to return to.

Returning home complete Uni, and its amazing how quick you fall into the same habits, negative relationships, patterns of behavior. Most addicts returning form rehab re-lapse as they fall into the same environment that led them to their substance abuse. Only a changing environment can save them, and it can save you too.

The self help guru’s have it right, your environment will dictate your success. At home expectations and limitations are set. Patterns and habits are hard to break. It is far easier to start new chapter on a fresh page than scribble over the text of the past.

NO. I don’t remember how much exactly, but about £200 for a year. Peanuts!

And to obtain, it was so easy I nearly missed it. I had been waiting for days checking my inbox when I finally discovered it had been sent minutes after I applied.

“But my Job”

If you love your job, stay, few do and the rest of us envy you.

Also, do you? Do you really? Or is that something you tell yourself to make it all seem worth it.

“But my friends….”

Are not going anywhere.

Or better yet, they are, with you, to Australia.

Furthermore, If you are the kind of person who doesn’t make friends very easily fear not. So many people will be in the same boat as you.

As I mentioned, Australia hands out working holiday visas (WHV) like American GPs hand out opioids. Most of these fellow brave souls will be travelling there solo as well. As a result, no one has any mates at the start. Stay in a hostel when you first arrive, you will be shocked how fast friendships will blossom.

“But I don’t want to work in the mines or on a farm…”

You don’t have to. You never did.

It was the case that if you wanted to qualify for a second year WHV, three months of your first year must have been rural work. This is no longer the case and you now get two years straight off the bat.

Some praise Brexit for triggering this “closer common wealth ties”, yet neglect all the EU countries that had this deal with Australia long before anyone knew what BREXIT was… but let’s not get political.

NOTE – Don’t discount the farm work. Tough yes, but it was well paid, fun and instigated some life long friendships.

Dont Die wondering

I hope I have highlighted that the mental hurdles people have regarding Australia are not as high as they seem, and all have routes over. If you are an adventurous soul then do it. Or don’t. Stay going to the same pub every Friday night in your home town giving it ” I could have…”.

Its your life passing you by..

Carpe diem.

*¹ – Sheila

(ˈʃiːlə ) noun

Australian and New Zealand old-fashioned an informal word for girl, woman