I spent all of 2010 living and moving around in Australia. I had just finished college and had to get the fuck out of my city for a while and just live. I had about 6000$ in my account when I left, the goal being to stretch it out as much as possible before I needed work and to enjoy myaelf to the max.
I’m Canadian, so the whole Working Holiday Visa thing may have been easier for me, being part of the Commonwealth and everything. I applied for a Visa on the Australian government’s website, said it could take up to a week, Visa was ready when I woke up the following day. I don’t even remember if it cost me anything, if it did, it wasn’t expensive, under 100$ for sure.
Finding work was a bit of a bitch. Few jobs here and there, nothing full time. The local shop paid me in gear for a while, which I would end up selling. It was a good hustle while it lasted. I also worked in produce at a grocery store, I stole so much food from that store, holy shit. Bussed tables at a few bars also.
The skating was so good, I was skating every single day and was probably the best skating I’ve ever done. The local scene was pretty tight and I got to meet some awesome people. Good hiking and that’s where I fell in love with fly fishing. Lots of girls too, so that was nice for a 21 year old being on his own for the first time. To the surprise of no one, the party scene was nuts, Australians are fucking insane when it comes to partying.
The experience was awesome, and was exactly what I needed, but by the end I was pretty broke and missed my friends and family back home, I also found the heat to be a bit much for my Canadian ass, so I ended up leaving almost a year to the day.
11 years later I still ask myself if leaving was the right decision or if I should have stayed.