The OE, or Overseas Experience, as much a kiwi tradition and birthright as the quarter acre pavlova paradise. Generations of young Kiwis have left these shores, usually to London but in more recent years to other places, to experience working and living somewhere else.
I loved reading this column - it's a fabulous summary of the impact of the new agreement, and a delightful reminder of past travels. The OE is an iconic and important part of growing up in New Zealand, an opportunity to broaden our understanding of other countries and cultures, reduce our sense of isolation from the world, and prick the bubble of "specialness" as we see so many other wonderful and special places in the world. I am thrilled that it will become more accessible for more young people. It's excellent that they've extended the age range to take into account the impact of Covid on academic completion and the ability to accumulate sufficient funds. Kapai!
I did my OE at the age of 47, intending to go for 2 years ( I had Right of Abode - my mum was a "war bride") Ended up staying for 9 and got Residence and a UK passport. Would thoroughly recommend it, but "if I knew then what I know now" would have prepared more carefully with funds to tide me over the first few months of job hunting.
Interesting korero Nick. I never did manage to do my OE. I aways intended to but circumstances did not allow it when younger. Then I aimed for doing an OE in my sixties after retiring from work. Unfortunately my health did not allow that. I am entited to Grandarentage on my passport thanks to my pommy grandmother. I have had a couple of shortish trips to the UK but not the same thing at all, as living ,and working there. I have heard so many stories of people's OE experiences, I think I've missed out on a step in my personal development. A young niece did very well with her OE. She was a branch manager for a bank here. Just in her early twenties. A young Māori woman, my brother's oldest daughter. She managed to get a job in banking in London- I'm told that can be quite difficult coming from NZ. She ended up as a currency trader, and living the good life. She then forgot to come home- moved to Ireland with her partner and started a design business. She says NZ is too far away from the places she likes to visit. She posts photos on facebook showing herself and others doing beach cleanups as part of a group of Irish surfers, along with photos of designer cakes she makes as part of her business. I think of her two daughters growing up with lovely Irish accents.
Hopefully this will recieve the attention of the MSM as yet another win for the Labour Government...
Just by the way ( I am a water cooled VW enthusiast) drove a VW Kombi the other day - my god what a horror on the motorway dreadful thing gutless and handling that had to be experienced to be belived and I was assured this was a good one...
Like you I left NZ a "a big jet liner", for a year in Australia before the UK via Hong Kong and Zurich. A non-stop flight seemed abhorrent and I didn't want to waste the chance to visit places I'd dreamed of. Stop-offs were easy and made little impact on the overall fare way back then.
Unike you, I've UK citizenship courtesy of my father so my stay in the UK was unlimited, and my employment secure in insurance. This enabled me to travel most weekends, and every holiday available.
The Aussie sunshine drew me back after a few years in Europe. As a government employee there I gained free (compulsory) citizenship and made it home for many years.
Yes I didn't have enough Thomas Cook funds either and the immigration officer told me as much. Fortunately my wife had a Dutch passport and I had a six month work visa for Holland which I used and later had extended in a Breda police station.
I loved reading this column - it's a fabulous summary of the impact of the new agreement, and a delightful reminder of past travels. The OE is an iconic and important part of growing up in New Zealand, an opportunity to broaden our understanding of other countries and cultures, reduce our sense of isolation from the world, and prick the bubble of "specialness" as we see so many other wonderful and special places in the world. I am thrilled that it will become more accessible for more young people. It's excellent that they've extended the age range to take into account the impact of Covid on academic completion and the ability to accumulate sufficient funds. Kapai!
I did my OE at the age of 47, intending to go for 2 years ( I had Right of Abode - my mum was a "war bride") Ended up staying for 9 and got Residence and a UK passport. Would thoroughly recommend it, but "if I knew then what I know now" would have prepared more carefully with funds to tide me over the first few months of job hunting.
Interesting korero Nick. I never did manage to do my OE. I aways intended to but circumstances did not allow it when younger. Then I aimed for doing an OE in my sixties after retiring from work. Unfortunately my health did not allow that. I am entited to Grandarentage on my passport thanks to my pommy grandmother. I have had a couple of shortish trips to the UK but not the same thing at all, as living ,and working there. I have heard so many stories of people's OE experiences, I think I've missed out on a step in my personal development. A young niece did very well with her OE. She was a branch manager for a bank here. Just in her early twenties. A young Māori woman, my brother's oldest daughter. She managed to get a job in banking in London- I'm told that can be quite difficult coming from NZ. She ended up as a currency trader, and living the good life. She then forgot to come home- moved to Ireland with her partner and started a design business. She says NZ is too far away from the places she likes to visit. She posts photos on facebook showing herself and others doing beach cleanups as part of a group of Irish surfers, along with photos of designer cakes she makes as part of her business. I think of her two daughters growing up with lovely Irish accents.
Hopefully this will recieve the attention of the MSM as yet another win for the Labour Government...
Just by the way ( I am a water cooled VW enthusiast) drove a VW Kombi the other day - my god what a horror on the motorway dreadful thing gutless and handling that had to be experienced to be belived and I was assured this was a good one...
Like you I left NZ a "a big jet liner", for a year in Australia before the UK via Hong Kong and Zurich. A non-stop flight seemed abhorrent and I didn't want to waste the chance to visit places I'd dreamed of. Stop-offs were easy and made little impact on the overall fare way back then.
Unike you, I've UK citizenship courtesy of my father so my stay in the UK was unlimited, and my employment secure in insurance. This enabled me to travel most weekends, and every holiday available.
The Aussie sunshine drew me back after a few years in Europe. As a government employee there I gained free (compulsory) citizenship and made it home for many years.
My OE lasted decades.
This is indeed uplifting news. Very welcome on a number of levels.
Yes I didn't have enough Thomas Cook funds either and the immigration officer told me as much. Fortunately my wife had a Dutch passport and I had a six month work visa for Holland which I used and later had extended in a Breda police station.