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Despite the red tape for those holding a “Green Mamba” passport, the gap year abroad remains a popular rite of passage for young South Africans, writes Richard Holmes
hy do you go away? So that you can come back,” wrote Terry Pratchett in his comic fantasy novel A Hat
Full of Sky.
“So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”
Pratchett hit the nail on the head, and the notion of young travellers taking a gap year after school or university — to see the world and cultivate a little independence through the international school of hard knocks — is one we should all encourage.
Globetrotting isn’t cheap though, especially on the rand, and being able to add a few euros, dollars and baht to the travel fund has long been essential for gapyear adventurers without a trust fund to dip into.
Since the United Kingdom scrapped its hugely popular workingholiday visa in 2009, South Africans have been forced to find alternative options, says Marvin Gabriel, owner of the Durban branch of the Overseas Visitors Club, and a specialist in arranging youth travel.
“Our biggest challenge is finding suitable programmes that cater to the constant demand for international working adventures.”
While the working-holiday visa allowed gap-year travellers the freedom to find a job on arrival, from pulling pints to punching photocopiers, gappers these days are forced to secure employment before they leave home. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t an enticing range of opportunities on offer.
“Our au pair option is still one of our most popular, offering young ladies a gap year in the US, Netherlands or Germany,” says Gabriel, adding that the chance to work as a counsellor in the US’s famous summer camps, or on an Israeli kibbutz, still remain open to local gappers.
“The most popular working holiday destination is the US,” says Lize Maartens, product and marketing manager for STA Travel South Africa.
“Another hotspot is Asia: we offer English teaching programmes in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Macau and Hong Kong.”
“Teaching English in Thailand has quickly filled the shoes of the old UK working-holiday visa, offering flexibility and a varied length of stay catering for all walks of life,” adds Gabriel.
To qualify for a position teaching English abroad, travellers will typically need to have a bachelor’s degree, and/or hold a certificate in Tefl (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or Tesol (Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages). Though positions can be secured with just a degree or a Tefl/Tesol certificate, having both will open more doors, and secure a higher salary for your time abroad.
For travellers looking to travel and work Down Under, both Australia and New Zealand offer opportunities for seasonal work on farms, although a relevant qualification or experience is typically required for the often-onerous visa application.
Similar opportunities exist in the US via the J-1 visa programme, which allows for internships lasting up to 12 months and are based on fostering “global understanding through educational and cultural exchanges”. For graduates and young professionals with tertiary qualifications in agriculture or hospitality, this is an excellent way to travel and earn abroad.
Perhaps more useful for gap-year travellers straight out of school is the H2-B visa, which allows for foreign nationals to take up temporary, seasonal positions outside the agricultural sector. That could mean a spell on Caribbean cruise ships, bussing tables in themepark restaurants, or working in the pro-shop at some of the US’s most exclusive country clubs.
Though this is not a “working holiday”, weekends and days off can be used for exploring locally, and the chance to earn greenbacks is an easy way to fund travels during the rest of your gap year.
Extending a working holiday “makes perfect sense as flights have already been paid for, visas acquired and all that’s left is to make the most of your time in the country,” says Kele Scheppers, marketing manager for youth travel brand Contiki.
“Europe remains the perennial favourite, but Asia and the US are climbing in popularity. Vietnam is very much on the horizon, as travellers want to explore its unique history, the delicious food and the culture on offer.”
As one of the more affordable corners of the planet, Asia certainly remains a prime choice for gap-year travellers. Thailand and Vietnam have long come top of the list, but if you’re wary of crowds it pays to look further afield.
Myanmar is quickly becoming hot property in Asia, while Sri Lanka offers the colour and exoticism of India, without quite as much chaos.
In South America, Peru and Argentina are excellent options thanks to their mix of vibrant cities, dramatic scenery and budget-travel infrastructure.
Though a little more expensive, Australia and New Zealand are also well geared up for budget travellers tramping trails and kicking back on idyllic beaches.
With a global cash card in your pocket, the world’s your oyster. What are you waiting for? —
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