Culture shock on a Working Holiday Visa

The countdown begins, the days fly by, and the big departure suddenly looms. You’ve researched your destination, had your WHV approved, booked your flights and packed your bags. The excitement builds as the weeks go by until, suddenly, you don’t want to leave.

You might feel scared or apprehensive about leaving. You start to realise all the things you love about life at home that you’ll miss, whether it’s friends and family, certain shops or types of food, or maybe even leaving your job.

When a big departure is drawing near, it’s common to fluctuate between feeling excited and impatient to worrying and doubting the decision you’ve made.

Possible emotions you might experience during the pre-departure stress stage

• Anxiousness
• Excitement
• Sadness
• Gratitude
• Fear

Examples

“I’ve got loads of time before I have to leave; it’s so far away.”

“It’s come around too quickly, I’m not ready!”

“What will I do without my friends and family? I’m going to miss out on so much.”

“What possessed me to do this?”

What you can do to manage your pre-departure stress

Remember the reasons that you decided on a WHV in the first place. Focus on what you’re going to gain from the experience and the notion that a WHV is temporary (i.e. if you try it and really don’t like it, you can always come back home).

Pre-departure stress is more than normal. After all, you are leaving a familiar environment for the complete unknown. The uncertainty can be difficult to manage and can make us panic.

Plan the first few days to gain back some control amongst all the uncertainty. For example, you could book a tour or create a road trip itinerary to visit some of the main tourist sites, or make a list of the new foods you want to try.

Finally, ground yourself in the present. Enjoy the last few weeks with your loved ones. Spend time with them, plan a fun leaving do, and make plans to stay in touch regularly via Whatsapp, Facetime or social media.