Grafiati
Oct 4th, 2011, 01:57 AM
I'm an American citizen who was granted a work and holiday visa by Australian Immigration. Because I have never even been to Australia as a tourist, I admit to being full of questions.
If readers have some input for me, please reply here or via PM.
I'm arriving in Melbourne on the 10th, but I have yet to book accommodation. My visa allows me to work up to 12 months (max. 6 months with one employer), but there is no telling where I will get work or how long I want to stay in a given place outside of Melbourne. Being a huge tennis fan, I would love to be in Melbourne through the end of the Australian Open so that I can be a part of the tournament in some way- as a fan, a volunteer, a lines person, a food vendor, whatever. Even though that's the case, there's no telling if it will be financially viable to make it that long, especially if I don't find enough work. What do you suggest for accommodation? Might I find something for an "odd" amount of time like 4.5 months? Should I get a room at a youth hostel for a week and then look for something when I'm on the ground? I don't want anything pricey, just (preferably) something clean with a kitchen and bathroom.
Any tips on getting involved with the Australian Open in some capacity?
Might I be able to rely on public transit in Melbourne (perhaps with a few taxi rides thrown in) or is a car more or less a necessity? I would prefer to live car-less, but I also see the benefits of not walking 9km from your home to the nearest public transit location!
What are some effective ways of finding work? Is Craigslist a big deal in Australia or is it not used very much? I have quite a few years of experience teaching English as a foreign language (and certification), I'm certified as a Spanish teacher in my native state's public schools (and I've subbed for French/only lack certification from not having paid the money to take and pass the content area test), I am PTR certified as a tennis coach, and I play the piano for churches for mass and weddings (also have experience playing for my university orchestra and for musicians' auditions). I could write other skill sets and ideas, but those are the main ones that come to mind. I am open to different types of work- i.e. perhaps working with tourists once I know Australia better- and will also include my interest in dance and theater. If I could work even just part-time at a dance studio or theater or dance/theater school and get privileges such as free classes, I think I would be overjoyed!
I may have some more questions later, but I'll post these for now.
Many, many heartfelt thanks in advance for input.
If readers have some input for me, please reply here or via PM.
I'm arriving in Melbourne on the 10th, but I have yet to book accommodation. My visa allows me to work up to 12 months (max. 6 months with one employer), but there is no telling where I will get work or how long I want to stay in a given place outside of Melbourne. Being a huge tennis fan, I would love to be in Melbourne through the end of the Australian Open so that I can be a part of the tournament in some way- as a fan, a volunteer, a lines person, a food vendor, whatever. Even though that's the case, there's no telling if it will be financially viable to make it that long, especially if I don't find enough work. What do you suggest for accommodation? Might I find something for an "odd" amount of time like 4.5 months? Should I get a room at a youth hostel for a week and then look for something when I'm on the ground? I don't want anything pricey, just (preferably) something clean with a kitchen and bathroom.
Any tips on getting involved with the Australian Open in some capacity?
Might I be able to rely on public transit in Melbourne (perhaps with a few taxi rides thrown in) or is a car more or less a necessity? I would prefer to live car-less, but I also see the benefits of not walking 9km from your home to the nearest public transit location!
What are some effective ways of finding work? Is Craigslist a big deal in Australia or is it not used very much? I have quite a few years of experience teaching English as a foreign language (and certification), I'm certified as a Spanish teacher in my native state's public schools (and I've subbed for French/only lack certification from not having paid the money to take and pass the content area test), I am PTR certified as a tennis coach, and I play the piano for churches for mass and weddings (also have experience playing for my university orchestra and for musicians' auditions). I could write other skill sets and ideas, but those are the main ones that come to mind. I am open to different types of work- i.e. perhaps working with tourists once I know Australia better- and will also include my interest in dance and theater. If I could work even just part-time at a dance studio or theater or dance/theater school and get privileges such as free classes, I think I would be overjoyed!
I may have some more questions later, but I'll post these for now.
Many, many heartfelt thanks in advance for input.