Going to GC on WHV
 

Hey,

I am 21 years old, and I am going to Queensland on a WHV on my own. I am flying to GC on 28th April 2014. I was supposed to be staying with a friend who is already in GC, but that has fallen through - she had to come home due to personal reasons. I haven't planned on what exactly I am going to do yet, I'm thinking of staying in GC/SC for a while. I am a Primary School Teacher, (and I am aware of getting quals assessed). I'm willing to do any work, in order to rent my own place. Although I'm really looking forward to it, I am a bit nervous.

Is there any tips/ advice you can offer?

Thanks

Re: Going to GC on WHV
 

I did that when I was 23, had an wonderful time. Try to get a house share with some nice people and enjoy the GC, its an amazing place.

Re: Going to GC on WHV
 

Personally I think the GC is a commercialised hole and i can think of much better places to stay but for the teaching, have you looked up the local job market?

Be a good idea to get signed up with some form of supply teacher agencies before you get here. Sign up with as many as you can find as when I was looking for admin work I was with 4 agencies and struggled to get regular work to the point that I ended up working in a British pub that preferred hiring ex-pats/backbackers :)

Re: Going to GC on WHV
 

Not convinced you're going to get work. We have shedloads of Primary Ed gradu ates leaving uni and not finding work unless they do at least two years out in woop woop. A 'foreign' teacher will go to the end of the queue but who knows, you could be lucky. However I'd keep your options open, do your Barista Certificate, your RSA Certificate and try and get casual bar/cafe work or do what WHV holders always used to do and actually travel the country doing any old job and have a blast.

The GC is a brilliant place with a lot to offer but also generates some fairly strong opinions both positive and negative, so come and make your own mind up, if you like it, great, if you hate it, move somewhere else, no big deal.

Re: Going to GC on WHV
 

I stayed in a YHA hostel recently with my son- it was choc full of backpackers from all over the world- they all seemed to be chasing (or already doing) jobs locally- & they all swapped information daily about what was available/worth doing. Might be a good place to book yourself into as a starter, you won't be short of company & the cost & amenities were pretty good. They also organised plenty of trips out & evening events .

Re: Going to GC on WHV
 

Totally off topic, but you have to have a "certificate" to be a barista? Come on making coffee isn't that hard. I hope you're joking! :eek:

Re: Going to GC on WHV
 

Nope, not joking. Probably over kill but Australia likes their certificates. Also I've had some shit coffee supposedly brewed by Baristas so it doesn't mean a lot, just that they've made someone jump through hoops in order to get a job. Not that getting your certificate means you'll get a job of course.

Re: Going to GC on WHV
 

Dude you need to have a certificate/licence to fart over here and a seperate one to wipe your arse afterwards ;)

Re: Going to GC on WHV
 

And then another set if you move to another State.....

Re: Going to GC on WHV
 

:rofl: oh the girl knows it :) paid in full right there :lol:

Re: Going to GC on WHV
 

LOL ! That made me laugh :D

Oh Jesus... I love certificates :sarcasm::rolleyes:

Re: Going to GC on WHV
 

Here in the Philippines you need a college education to get a job in MickeyD!
To work in a call centre you need a degree!
Plus a police clearance before you can even apply.
And yes, most coffee chains require you take a Barista course - even in the good old UK.I was in a certain US coffee chain here and the nice young lady serving said to wait in line as she was not certified to make coffee! Still doesn't mean you don't get rubbish coffee !

Re: Going to GC on WHV
 

Cripes! :eek: Is there anything you can do anywhere without a degree/certificate/whatchamacallit ?

Re: Going to GC on WHV
 

you can deliver junk mail :)

Re: Going to GC on WHV
 

:thumbsup: