Is it wise to check out a country for say a few weeks before applying for a WHV to establish if you would actually enjoy it there for one year??
Personally, I'd just go for it.
I can't imagine you having such a bad time you would want to leave, but even if so...
look at it this way: I don't know how much the visa will cost you, but it will certainly be less than an extra return airfare from somewhere. You pay for the HWV, and worse case, you don't want to stay, all you have invested is the cost of the visa and your flight. If you visit and you like it, then you have to buy an extra flight on top of the visa and your original flight.
I'm working in Korea right now. I hadn't planned to work here. Unfortunately, I had to make a visa run to Canada to get a working holiday and then come back. That was an extra thousand I could still have in my pocket had I had the foresight in the first place. Though, over that, I found I couldn't get work because of the language barrier, and teaching English on a WHV is restricted (Which is what most foreign people here do for work). I had to make ANOTHER visa run to get that, though for the case of that visa, I could apply from any country, not just my home country, still.
I'd highly suggest looking into what jobs foreigners in Japan have had, and sess out you likelihood of finding work. Consider teaching English if it doesn't look probable, otherwise look into other countries that speak your language... there are many WHV's out there.
I also did the WHV in Oz. Just showed up without much research at all, and only $130 in my pocket on a 1-way flight. A bit hard at first, but all in all, one of the best years of my life!
Do a little research, then just go for it.
[ 19-Jul-2010, at 18:37 by skateaddic ]
Thanks very much for the reply Skateaddic. I think I'll just go for it.
Teaching English is the main source of income in Japan so I'll have to have a crack at that. Mind you, I have no degree or any teaching experience to date. It's gona be tough I'm sure, especially in a saturated market. The Visa costs only £6 but you only get it once. If all goes tits up I'll leave and do some more of SE Asia! but I'm willing to give it a shot!
I agree with skateaddic. Just go for it. By no means is a WHV a one-year contract promising that you will stay in the country whether you like it or not. Just go and if you like it - stay and enjoy the year. If not, move along to somewhere new. I personally have shown up to work in 4 different countries (including Japan) having never visited before (and am moving to Hong Kong next month) and have stayed different amounts of time based on how much I liked it. I think it's the best way to go - just be flexible in your plans and don't consider it a waste if you decide to head home earlier than planned.
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