Going on a working holiday
as a student

For recent high school graduates, it can be difficult to know what to do next. A gap year represents a blank slate that can ignite self-discovery and open new doors. For example, many working holidayers choose to try several jobs during their stay abroad. This is a great way to learn about the world of work and to gain insight on the direction one might want to take.

An experience abroad will allow you to break out of your daily routine and for some, to also live outside of the family nest for the first time. The Working Holiday Visa is a mobility program that offers maximum flexibility and access to the four corners of the world. By embarking on the journey, you might even surprise yourself with what you’re capable of. Every year, more than 200,000 young adults from various nationalities head to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK on a working holiday, so you certainly wouldn’t be alone.

Important: the WHV is not universally accepted by all educational institutions as a reason for a gap year. However, since 2015, schools have been required to facilitate student mobility and departures. If your WHV plans are well motivated and explained, you may be able to obtain approval. Make sure to do your own research.

Note that high school students in France have the possibility of checking the box “Gap year” in the Parcoursup portal when they are choosing their orientation.

This is one of the advantages of the WHV. It is accessible to all young adults, regardless of level of education attained. So why wait? You are eligible to apply starting on the day of your 18th birthday!

Many WHV destinations also offer student visas. So the working holiday adventure might inspire you to stay longer and continue your studies abroad.

Sometimes it can feel like our whole lives are laid out ahead of us: study, work, retire. A working holiday represents an opportunity to discover and define your own path.

Some degree programs require many years before completion, at which point candidates might approach 30 years old, which is the age limit for many destinations. So if you are potentially interested in several destinations, it would be a shame to miss out on the timing.

When living and travelling abroad, it can help us be more open to gaining work experiences that are outside of “our field”. Schools teach us to find a job that is directly related to our studies after graduation, but going on a working holiday before graduation takes a lot of the pressure off. Try something new, something maybe completely unrelated to your major – You never know what you might find out about yourself.