Overseas Exchanges

Travelling overseas can be an expensive and often harrowing ordeal, but uni students, like Anna Curtayne have experienced a great way to do it without breaking the bank - an overseas exchange. Together with Council Exchanges, a company that specialises in setting up such overseas exchanges, Anna had the chance to go to America and work in California.

From Scottsdale, Tasmania, Anna went to work in the USA for three-and-a-half months and here are some of the questions posed to her:

In what type of work did you partake?

Ski Resort, Guest Services and also a night auditor (I didn't even know the difference between the coin denominations).

What were your responsibilities?

Basically checking lift tickets, talking to people, snowboarding, meeting people, answering questions, having fun. Balancing the tills for a series of restaurants and bars.

What was the most helpful part of the organisation's role in getting you overseas?

Providing the Visa, and the collection and orientation in Los Angeles.

Did you need previous experience?

No just an open mind and a great attitude.

Dress standards, if any?

Warm clothes, uniform was provided.

Any perks?

Full lift pass and supplied uniform, able to snowboard during shift, meet lots and lots of people, working in a place that is absolutely beautiful.

What about the downsides?

The days when (I) had to work outside when it was stormy.

Describe two highlights from the trip?

1. Seeing the Grand Canyon, waking up to see Yosemite national park covered in white, meeting scores of fantastic people, Alcatraz, white Christmas, Shopping in Las Vegas, riding a horse through Monument Valley, the killer whales at sea world, tigers at San Diego Zoo, the forever changing sights of Lake Tahoe, bartering in Mexico, shopping at Venice Beach.

2.The amazing people made it and the ongoing friendships …… I could go on!

Any travel tips?

Don't forget an open mind; accept people for who they are, budget for the exchange rate and remember the money conversion to the States will roughly half the Australian dollar.
Take a back pack, I travelled with a guy who took a suitcase, I think he dumped it after towing it 6 blocks through the city. Take half as much stuff as you think you need, its better to buy a t-shirt if you need it and souvenirs are really cheap. If you intend on coming home don't fall in love!

Would you recommend the experience to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it to anyone and every one, and am currently doing so! Why? Well why not? It was the most amazing experience ever, it completely exceeded any expectations that I had. You can only become a better and more interesting person from such an experience, and it can only benefit you.

What was the best thing you bought while you were away?

My snowboard.

What languages do you speak?

English.

What are you doing now?

Trying to complete a Physical Education degree and working casually in a Irish Pub, saving money to go away again.

Did the experience help you in what you are doing now? If so how?

I'm a more confident, and happy person. My ability to talk to strangers has improved, and I think I am a more interesting person. As a result of the journey I have also obtained a job working for Council Exchanges talking to other people about travel, which is something I love.

What skills did you gain from the overseas experience that you are using daily now?

I'm more confident, which can only benefit my life and day to day experiences.

What was it like settling back home?

Tough, very tough. I am only now three months down the track feeling adjusted although it is still not the same as before I left. I changed, and nothing at home had, my friends still do the same things, and I had experienced the most amazing 3 months of my life.

What advice do you have for people when they get home?

Basically don't expect to easily slide back into life. The experience that you will encounter will be fantastic, and no one will understand what your experience was like - don't bombard people with stories of your trip, and photos, just show them if they ask or are interested. You will be disheartened if they don't get excited by what you have to say or show them.

I threw myself into everything, my life is very busy and I think I did this so I didn't have time to ponder my time and wonder why I came home. It is very important to keep in contact with the people you meet, it gives you an outlet to discuss your thoughts and keep the memories alive. They will understand exactly what you're going through.

If you are returning to University be prepared to lack a lot of motivation for a while. In saying this however, everyone has different experiences, and will deal with the adjustment period differently, although it was tough adjusting back to uni life, I have no regrets about going and, although I still day dream about my memories and frequently look through my photos, my life has readjusted and life goes on.

Best thing you purchased before leaving that made a difference to your trip? Paddy Pallin wind stopper - wore it every day and was practical for any occasion. I'm wearing it in nearly every one of my photo's!