Top 5 reasons why people end their working holiday early

Embarking on a working holiday or a gap year abroad may seem like a dream come true, but the truth of the matter is that many people decide to end their trips early every year.

We’ve heard directly from many of these individuals over the years. In this article, we share the top cited reasons for an early return home. Hopefully by reading them, you can better prepare yourself (both emotionally and logistically) for your own adventures abroad.

1. It’s not what I expected

You decided to go to a particular country because friends had spoken about it, because you saw cool videos about it on social media, or because you heard that it was a popular destination among other young travellers. Once there, however, the experience does not match your expectations.

Ask yourself:

• What exactly were my expectations?
• What were they based on?
• Did I assume that the grass had to be greener on the other side?

Romanticising any destination can lead to disappointment. The best approach when going on a working holiday is to not imagine in too much detail what awaits you there, but rather to be ready to simply take things as they come.

Just as you will be pleasantly surprised by some things, others might disappoint you. That’s normal.

2. I don’t like this city

If once you arrive you discover that your destination city is not your cup of tea, the best advice we can give you is to move to a different city. Remember that your Working Holiday Visa allows you to live and work anywhere in the entire country!

Look into nearby towns, but also consider travelling farther to find a place more to your taste or to experience a more nomadic working holiday. Don’t be afraid to take a path less traveled.

3. I can’t find a job, I’ve run out of money

This is a very common problem that working holiday makers run into. If you run out of money, it’s hard to enjoy your time abroad.

The first piece of advice is to make sure you have ample savings prior to arrival. The Working Holiday Visa typically requires you to have at least a few thousand dollars of savings, but it is strongly recommended to have more than the minimum that visa authorities require. Having a bigger buffer will give you greater peace of mind.

Secondly, have realistic expectations about the job search. Many people make the mistake of targeting highly qualified jobs right away on their working holiday, grossly underestimating the local competition.

Instead, be humble and open-minded; start by taking on a service or cleaning job, for example, even if you’re overqualified. Once you get settled into your new environment, you will naturally be equipped with more confidence and knowledge for a second, more serious round of job search.

Lastly, research the cost of living when choosing your working holiday destination. Cost of living obviously depends on the country, but remember that they can differ between cities too! Make sure to choose a country and city that are appropriate for your savings level and earning potential.

4. I feel homesick

Living far from home can be a real challenge. Sometimes, we miss our loved ones, our country, our city or our routines far more than we expected.

If this is the case, try to remember what motivated you to leave: the desire for change, curiosity for another culture, language practice, or personal growth.

It is very normal to feel homesick in the beginning, so don’t beat yourself up for it. But if after a couple months of trying, things still don’t improve, you can consider returning home without regret.

5. I feel lonely

Even back home, we sometimes feel lonely, so the feeling can be even more acute when we’re abroad.

Making new friends as an adult is challenging for anyone, anywhere. It requires real motivation and intention. Having a social support network is very important to feeling at home in your new environment.

Some things you can try to make new friends:

• Meetup events
• Language exchanges
• Sports intramural
• Community volunteering
• Living with roommates
• Befriending coworkers
• Facebook groups, Bumble BFF

It’s not hard to find or do these activities. The read hard part is mustering up the courage to actually talk to the people you meet, and being the one to take the first step towards friendship.

Sure it can seem scary… until you realize that you’re in a foreign country and so if you embarrass yourself, you’ll probably never see these people again anyway! You’ve got nothing to lose.