so, as of this past weekend, the countdown has officially started! i leave for new zealand – for a YEAR – in less than two months. have i mentioned how excited i am?!
to recap, i got a little bored with my life and my job and after a few margaritas in a hotel in san jose, costa rica, one day, i applied for the working holiday visa for new zealand. i was under 30 at the time and i already knew i was on my way out at my job, i just didn’t know when i would take the plunge. less than a week later, i had the official word: i was accepted into the working hols program and could go to new zealand whenever i wanted. there’s a few good things about this: they give you a year from the time you get accepted to actually get there. so if you need money, you can work at home for up to another year and still get into the country on the visa – for a full year beyond that. so i knew i had time.
they also only accept a certain number (and i don’t know what that number is) of applicants a year, so it’s in your best interest to apply early, which i did (it was february.) once i had the visa, it was only a matter of time before i would not be able to handle myself any longer and i would just do it.
well, i quit my job in june and i came back home to kansas city. i wavered between going down immediately, or waiting a few months and going. my decision was made when i remembered i have two different weddings in october. so, i decided to work my way through the summer here, save some money, and then head down at the start of summer there (early november.) i got in touch with someone to rent a flat, spoke with people about it, and (finally) booked a one-way.
last week, however, i had a mini panic attack. i’m 30 now, and i know you can’t get the visa after you’re 30… but do they mean WHILE you are 30, or after you are 30, or what?! i was freaking out.
so i went to the immigration site, and crisis averted. i couldn’t apply for the visa once i turn 31, but i could apply while i’m 30, and go right before i turn 31, or right before the year is up. so, i’m all good.. i will turn 31 while there, but that’s all good, right? so we are set. i just signed a tenancy lease with the guy i’m renting from in wellington, and i got in touch with several people down there thanks to my new friend k.
up next on the nz to do list: packing list (what the HELL do you take for a year away?), emergency information for my family, job hunting, and a list of everything i want to do while there (hike aoraki? swim with dolphins at kaikoura? do the world’s tallest bungy and/or the bridge jump? so. many. options.)
i’ll keep you posted!!