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Caleb travels to New Zealand and hopefully updates this sometimes.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Cool article in The NY Times
about working abroad. Click (Now I'll just hope it's true)
February 25, 2006
A Year Abroad (or 3) as a Career Move
By HILLARY CHURA
It was a few months before she was to graduate from Colgate University in 2002, but Lauren DiCioccio was not ready for the briefcase or the Brooks Brothers look.
Armed with a bachelor's degree in art and art history, she did what an increasing number of college graduates are doing: she bought a plane ticket to a country she had never visited, backpacked around the region, got a job in that country and then traveled some more.
According to one estimate, 35,000 young Americans realize that working abroad, whether teaching, bartending, taking care of children, typing or picking grapes, has moved well beyond just trust-fund children. Far from being career suicide, it can actually provide a professional boost.
"When I went, I was hesitant because people looked at me and were surprised that I would graduate with a degree from Colgate and take time off to work and backpack around Australia," said Ms. DiCioccio, who picked grapes and was a short-order cook at a roadhouse in the outback. "So when I came back and had it on my résumé, I couldn't believe all of the interviews were about my time in Australia."
Once back in the United States, she said, she applied for 10 jobs, received 5 interviews and was offered 2 positions at the beginning of 2004. She became a program assistant at the Djerassi Resident Artists Program in Woodside, Calif.
Ms. DiCioccio, now 25, obtained her working papers through Bunac, an organization that helps graduates obtain work permits, volunteer opportunities or community work in foreign countries. Other programs include WorldTeach, Princeton in Asia and the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, as well as offerings by religious groups like the Jesuits and the Quakers.
People unencumbered by technicalities — like working legally — will branch off on their own with little more than a debit card, confidence and a copy of "Work Your Way Around the World."
Caroline Miceli, 26, chose the legal route. As she was preparing to graduate from Scripps College in Claremont, Calif., in 2002, she responded to a posting through her college for a year's international project management internship at BMW headquarters in Germany. She earned 880 euros a month (about $1,000 in today's money) and went into credit card debt to travel.
"I ate bread and sausage, but I got experience working for a world-class brand that everybody recognizes," she said. Working abroad "is a career move."
"It's not a money-making move," she said. "It puts you in a position to leverage yourself."
When her year ended, she returned to BMW in North America, then an interim project in China with a BMW supplier and then to a Toyota Motor Sales management training program in Torrance, Calif. She said her time in Germany convinced her that she could be on her own in Asia for five months. "Four years from graduation, I have international experience with a couple of different major automotive companies and fashion companies," she said.
Many aspiring expatriates live at home and work a few months to save money before they leave. Ms. DiCioccio, for example, worked for nine months doing office work, retail jobs and house sitting to give herself a financial cushion, but ended up saving another $700 or so from her Australian jobs.
Many travelers depart not knowing how they will earn a living once they hit the ground. With hustle, they often find employment before the jet lag wanes (to the relief of worried parents), according to some who have taken the plunge. Those working legally tend to earn more, but their stays have a set duration — generally, four months to three years, depending on the country or program. People working illegally may earn less but can slip under the radar and stay in a country longer. A word of warning: that can result in deportation in extreme circumstances.
No nationwide survey measures the number of young Americans working abroad, but William Nolting, director for international opportunities at the International Center of the University of Michigan, maintains a rough estimate. From tracking the major organizations, he said at least 34,900 people worked and volunteered abroad in formal programs in the academic year 2002 through the summer of 2003. That is up from about 29,000 a year earlier. Mr. Nolting said the actual figure could be twice as high since he does not count participants in small organizations or those working illegally.
By comparison, about 191,000 students studied abroad for credit in 2003-4, out of an estimated 14 million college and university students, according to figures from the Institute of International Education.
Years ago, recent graduates headed for Britain and other parts of Europe. That has changed.
"Most students and young people have been to Europe on vacation and seem to be thinking much further afield," said Anna Crew, director of Bunac USA. Australia and New Zealand are popular. Her group is starting a volunteer program in Cambodia.
Brandon Steiner, 24, is in his first year as a teacher with the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. Though he does not plan to teach after Japan, he will stay another two years or so. A 2005 graduate of Virginia Tech, he earns about $32,000, has minimal expenses since he lives in a rural area about three hours from Tokyo, and pays no United States or Japanese taxes.
"Admittedly, it is a way to goof off and have a good time in a foreign country," he said, but he added that "having international experience under your belt — employers are enthusiastic."
"It looks good and is not a bad step out of college," he said. "It shows you already are open-minded."
Sometimes those who have worked abroad do not realize the benefits until long after the adventure has ended.
Julie Androshick, now 41, spent two years teaching English, history and algebra to high school students in American Samoa from 1987 to 1989 with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Room and board were free, and she taught algebra on the side. After Samoa, Ms. Androshick spent more than a year tending bar and getting a master's degree in international relations from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Ms. Androshick later worked as a journalist and a McKinsey & Company analyst. She now helps big clients manage internal information as a partner with Kenning Associates, a small consulting firm. Based in Manhattan, Ms. Androshick said working abroad had expanded her worldview, gave her the courage to purse long-shot jobs and made her a more loyal employee.
"Because I did it for three and a half years and traveled so much, I wanted to settle down and establish a career and focus on that," she said. "The thought of picking up now and living abroad actually stresses me out."
Foreign experience demonstrates entrepreneurship, resourcefulness and independence, according to recruiters. Rosalind Clay Carter, senior vice president for human resources at A&E Television Networks, said people who work and support themselves overseas tend to be inquisitive, flexible and adaptive — valuable skills in today's workplace.
"You are interested in that person who can move quickly and is nimble and has an inquiring mind," she said.
February 25, 2006
A Year Abroad (or 3) as a Career Move
By HILLARY CHURA
It was a few months before she was to graduate from Colgate University in 2002, but Lauren DiCioccio was not ready for the briefcase or the Brooks Brothers look.
Armed with a bachelor's degree in art and art history, she did what an increasing number of college graduates are doing: she bought a plane ticket to a country she had never visited, backpacked around the region, got a job in that country and then traveled some more.
According to one estimate, 35,000 young Americans realize that working abroad, whether teaching, bartending, taking care of children, typing or picking grapes, has moved well beyond just trust-fund children. Far from being career suicide, it can actually provide a professional boost.
"When I went, I was hesitant because people looked at me and were surprised that I would graduate with a degree from Colgate and take time off to work and backpack around Australia," said Ms. DiCioccio, who picked grapes and was a short-order cook at a roadhouse in the outback. "So when I came back and had it on my résumé, I couldn't believe all of the interviews were about my time in Australia."
Once back in the United States, she said, she applied for 10 jobs, received 5 interviews and was offered 2 positions at the beginning of 2004. She became a program assistant at the Djerassi Resident Artists Program in Woodside, Calif.
Ms. DiCioccio, now 25, obtained her working papers through Bunac, an organization that helps graduates obtain work permits, volunteer opportunities or community work in foreign countries. Other programs include WorldTeach, Princeton in Asia and the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, as well as offerings by religious groups like the Jesuits and the Quakers.
People unencumbered by technicalities — like working legally — will branch off on their own with little more than a debit card, confidence and a copy of "Work Your Way Around the World."
Caroline Miceli, 26, chose the legal route. As she was preparing to graduate from Scripps College in Claremont, Calif., in 2002, she responded to a posting through her college for a year's international project management internship at BMW headquarters in Germany. She earned 880 euros a month (about $1,000 in today's money) and went into credit card debt to travel.
"I ate bread and sausage, but I got experience working for a world-class brand that everybody recognizes," she said. Working abroad "is a career move."
"It's not a money-making move," she said. "It puts you in a position to leverage yourself."
When her year ended, she returned to BMW in North America, then an interim project in China with a BMW supplier and then to a Toyota Motor Sales management training program in Torrance, Calif. She said her time in Germany convinced her that she could be on her own in Asia for five months. "Four years from graduation, I have international experience with a couple of different major automotive companies and fashion companies," she said.
Many aspiring expatriates live at home and work a few months to save money before they leave. Ms. DiCioccio, for example, worked for nine months doing office work, retail jobs and house sitting to give herself a financial cushion, but ended up saving another $700 or so from her Australian jobs.
Many travelers depart not knowing how they will earn a living once they hit the ground. With hustle, they often find employment before the jet lag wanes (to the relief of worried parents), according to some who have taken the plunge. Those working legally tend to earn more, but their stays have a set duration — generally, four months to three years, depending on the country or program. People working illegally may earn less but can slip under the radar and stay in a country longer. A word of warning: that can result in deportation in extreme circumstances.
No nationwide survey measures the number of young Americans working abroad, but William Nolting, director for international opportunities at the International Center of the University of Michigan, maintains a rough estimate. From tracking the major organizations, he said at least 34,900 people worked and volunteered abroad in formal programs in the academic year 2002 through the summer of 2003. That is up from about 29,000 a year earlier. Mr. Nolting said the actual figure could be twice as high since he does not count participants in small organizations or those working illegally.
By comparison, about 191,000 students studied abroad for credit in 2003-4, out of an estimated 14 million college and university students, according to figures from the Institute of International Education.
Years ago, recent graduates headed for Britain and other parts of Europe. That has changed.
"Most students and young people have been to Europe on vacation and seem to be thinking much further afield," said Anna Crew, director of Bunac USA. Australia and New Zealand are popular. Her group is starting a volunteer program in Cambodia.
Brandon Steiner, 24, is in his first year as a teacher with the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. Though he does not plan to teach after Japan, he will stay another two years or so. A 2005 graduate of Virginia Tech, he earns about $32,000, has minimal expenses since he lives in a rural area about three hours from Tokyo, and pays no United States or Japanese taxes.
"Admittedly, it is a way to goof off and have a good time in a foreign country," he said, but he added that "having international experience under your belt — employers are enthusiastic."
"It looks good and is not a bad step out of college," he said. "It shows you already are open-minded."
Sometimes those who have worked abroad do not realize the benefits until long after the adventure has ended.
Julie Androshick, now 41, spent two years teaching English, history and algebra to high school students in American Samoa from 1987 to 1989 with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Room and board were free, and she taught algebra on the side. After Samoa, Ms. Androshick spent more than a year tending bar and getting a master's degree in international relations from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Ms. Androshick later worked as a journalist and a McKinsey & Company analyst. She now helps big clients manage internal information as a partner with Kenning Associates, a small consulting firm. Based in Manhattan, Ms. Androshick said working abroad had expanded her worldview, gave her the courage to purse long-shot jobs and made her a more loyal employee.
"Because I did it for three and a half years and traveled so much, I wanted to settle down and establish a career and focus on that," she said. "The thought of picking up now and living abroad actually stresses me out."
Foreign experience demonstrates entrepreneurship, resourcefulness and independence, according to recruiters. Rosalind Clay Carter, senior vice president for human resources at A&E Television Networks, said people who work and support themselves overseas tend to be inquisitive, flexible and adaptive — valuable skills in today's workplace.
"You are interested in that person who can move quickly and is nimble and has an inquiring mind," she said.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Mosh!
I'd always thought I knew a fair amount about music. I keep up with both the popular and college charts, subscribe to music magazines, check out anything that sounds interesting, trade mix CD's with friends and go to way too many concerts. Then I met a German named Christian who knew far more about American bands than I did. Music, he explained, was the reason he'd learned english. Now that he'd learned english, i suppose, he was going to make sure he knew of every band that sung in it. As we had much in common music wise I decided to trust Christan's music taste when he recommended that I go with him to a concert of a band I'd never heard before, Against Me! a band from Florida.
When I arrived at the show I realized I'd correctly worn my obsure band T-shirt (The Fire Theft released one CD and have pretty much broken up since - rock!), unfortunately my obscure band t-shirt wasn't black, and black everything appeared to be the dress code here. While waiting for the show to start we met a Kiwi named Adam who had a bladder problem. A problem I wouldn't have noticed had he not slammed his glass down and stomped off in anger every time he had to go. By the middle of his second beer it was over - every five minutes his glass would meet his wrath and he'd run off.
I'd come with a German who knew more about American bands than I'll ever know and it turned out Adam knows more Richmond bands than I do:
"So where are you from?"
"The US, Virginia"
"Oh yeah? where in Virginia?
"Richmond, It's about two hours south of Wa-"
"Yeah i know where it is - isn't Strike Anywhere huge there?"
"Who?"
[disgust in his voice] "Strike Anywhere! You're from Richmond and you don't know Strike Anywhere?"
"Oh... Yeah, Strike Anywhere... I just haven't seen them live yet"
At this point Adam gave up on me and directed his music enthusiasm at Christian "Have you heard of a band called Jericho RVA? They were originally just Jericho, but then found another band from Australia had that same name so they added the RVA for Richmond Virginia"
Christian had heard of Jericho RVA and was familiar enough with their discography to give an informed opinion on their latest release. This let me off the hook.
About this time I was starting to remember a little bit about Strike Anywhere and once Adam left to better position himself for the mosh pit it clicked. This wasn't going to be the "accoustic with a few harder songs" concert that Christian had sold me. Frankly that was fine with me. It ended up being a full on punk show, but I haven't been to a concert in a club since I've been in NZ, so I had a blast even if I didn't know the songs.
When I arrived at the show I realized I'd correctly worn my obsure band T-shirt (The Fire Theft released one CD and have pretty much broken up since - rock!), unfortunately my obscure band t-shirt wasn't black, and black everything appeared to be the dress code here. While waiting for the show to start we met a Kiwi named Adam who had a bladder problem. A problem I wouldn't have noticed had he not slammed his glass down and stomped off in anger every time he had to go. By the middle of his second beer it was over - every five minutes his glass would meet his wrath and he'd run off.
I'd come with a German who knew more about American bands than I'll ever know and it turned out Adam knows more Richmond bands than I do:
"So where are you from?"
"The US, Virginia"
"Oh yeah? where in Virginia?
"Richmond, It's about two hours south of Wa-"
"Yeah i know where it is - isn't Strike Anywhere huge there?"
"Who?"
[disgust in his voice] "Strike Anywhere! You're from Richmond and you don't know Strike Anywhere?"
"Oh... Yeah, Strike Anywhere... I just haven't seen them live yet"
At this point Adam gave up on me and directed his music enthusiasm at Christian "Have you heard of a band called Jericho RVA? They were originally just Jericho, but then found another band from Australia had that same name so they added the RVA for Richmond Virginia"
Christian had heard of Jericho RVA and was familiar enough with their discography to give an informed opinion on their latest release. This let me off the hook.
About this time I was starting to remember a little bit about Strike Anywhere and once Adam left to better position himself for the mosh pit it clicked. This wasn't going to be the "accoustic with a few harder songs" concert that Christian had sold me. Frankly that was fine with me. It ended up being a full on punk show, but I haven't been to a concert in a club since I've been in NZ, so I had a blast even if I didn't know the songs.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Windy Welly
After living in Paihia for the past two months and only wearing flip flops, I decided my feet needed to get reaquainted with socks and maybe even shoes. Having decided to move back to Wellington I felt it necissary to break up the trip this time and do the Tongariro Crossing. It's billed as the best day walk in New Zealand, but past attempts to do it were foiled by the weather, which can be fickle in that area. After leaving sunny summery Paihia and spending a night in Auckland, I was greeted in National Park with a cloudy and forboding Mt Doom (from Lord of the Rings, which i still need to see again, since i remember none of it). This was unfortunate as the busses would certainly still take us to the trail, but it might be covered in fog and we wouldn't have any views. I signed up for the Thursday bus to take me to the trail and crossed my fingers for good weather.
Not soon after I made my reservation I recieved a text from Maureen, a friend from Wellington, saying that she would be coming up on Friday and I should wait for her. I saw this as a good excuse to wait an extra day and hope for the clouds to pass. That meant, however, killing another day in National Park, a town even smaller than Paihia, who's main purpose is to provide accomodation for skiers and hikers of the crossing.
I decided to pass the day on another small hike outside town up a fire road. It was a good chance for me to get used to shoes again after not wearing them for so long. By the end of the small hike my heel already had a huge blister though. Not a good sign for the Crossing.
The next day I threw on a few band aids and Maureen and I went for it with an English couple we met on the trail. The whole trail was covered with dense fog and the views were non existant for the first half of the day. Finally around 1, once we'd already passed the best views some of the clouds started breaking and we could actually see where we were and how high we were. The second half was beautiful, but I still feel like I need to try to do the Crossing again to get the first 5 hours worth of views.
Once we finished the trail and had a shower we took off for Lake Taupo, which was beautiful. The lake is completely clear and surrounded by mountains. I stayed for two days doing all the touristy stuff before catching a bus to Wellington. That was Sunday... Monday was a national holiday (and Bob Marleys birthday) so I went, with a couple of friends, to a reggae festival, Tuesday I had an interview with a temp agency, Wednesday I walked around town doing a few errands and met up with a few friends I'd met in Paihia for a movie.
Now it's Thursday and time to start figuring out what's next in Wellington. After killing two days I'm waiting for a temp agency to call me and waiting for the Saturday paper and the apt listings that come with it.
