One step nearer to New Zealand, but ...

[TerokNor]

So...guess now all I can do it to wait. Got accepted in the New Zealand program, but they said it will be hard for me to find a host. Well, I expected that, but still...
The main reasons why it will be hard is of course that I don´t drive car, the second one that I am vegetarian and the third one my age. Though the last two are not that essential, but the car driving is the one thing, that could sort of destroy that dream.
Well, but at least they said, should it not work with New Zealand, they could try to find someone in Ireland or England. That would be ok too, as long as I get into an english speaking enviroment, though I´d prefer Ireland than, because I have never been to Ireland, but multiple times to England. Still I so hope it will work out with New Zealand. Ireland is so near.
Damn it! Why can´t I drive car? For everyone I know its the most natural thing...and they enjoy it even. It´s so annoying, though the "suffering" is not as strong as the fear. But if that one fear leads to not going to New Zealand than I will be really sad and angry at myself.

TerokNor

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I don't understand, why can't you drive a car?

 

[TerokNor]

*shrug* I just can´t. Scares me more than most anything.

TerokNor

 

[trampledamage]

What I don't understand is why not driving a car would make a difference - is public transport that bad in New Zealand?

 

[TerokNor]

Compared with some other countries, yes, seems so.
Also most of the hosts, who are looking for someone to work for them want that the one they employ is able to drive a car for getting the job done.
So if you cannot drive, they won´t pick you and without a host...bye bye New Zealand.


TerokNor

 

[Candlelight]

Public transport isn't that bad here, depending on which city you're planning on heading to (Auckland I'm guessing?). They have a much improved bus service and, depending on which suburb you live in, a train service which takes you right into the CBD.

Stuff like this has been improving because of the Rugby World Cup in four months time; it has to work for the mass of people expected to come, otherwise it'll be an embarassment.

As for the car thing, just come over and start learning. If you have money you can start taking driving lessons once you're here.

 

[Candlelight]

What program are you doing anyway?

 

[Kestra]

Driving makes me anxious too. I also just hate doing it, always have. But it seems necessary so I've learned to be a careful, competent driver and it's not so bad.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Terok Nor come to Melbourne Australia! I don't have a car and I rarely feel any need for one. We have extensive public transport, in fact if you lived anywhere near the city center (of which there are a zillion great suburbs to choose from) you would NEVER feel the need for a car. Trams, trains, buses, all on one ticket. It is also a GREAT city. I emigrated here years ago and I have never tired of it.

 

[TerokNor]

Learning to drive a car in New Zealand? Never! You drive on the left side over there. And I can´t just learn how to drive. Should I ever get it in my head to drive again (I do have a driving lisence), I´d have to go for therapy first really.

And yes, you are right it would be probably in or around Auckland...though I am no fan of big cities (too many cars inside there!), but in the country one would need a car anyway to get to somewhere.

It´s a plain simple Au pair/ nanny Program with the Working Holiday Visa. As Early Childhood Education will be my job, but I don´t trust my Engish enough to apply for a "real job" in an english speaking country, I though I´d pick some program with taking care of kids, where perfect English is not expected and improve it that way. Besides its also the cheapest way, as I also get accomodation for free...otherwise I had choosen an Internship, but that would be unpaid and what to live from then?

And teacake, that sounds pretty good! Well, but I decidet against Australia because of the climate and all those poisenous animals. But if it does not work out with New Zealand...hmm... maybe it would be a possibility nontheless...

TerokNor

 

[auntiehill]

^I was terrified of driving too, when I first started. But after taking Driver's Ed, I was much more comfortable. My sister also drove around our neighborhood with me and then I slowly eased out onto freeway traffic.

Like anything else, it takes lots of practice. If you can find a friendly teacher---someone you trust and who knows your phobia--I'm fairly certain you could master it in no time.

And, take it from someone who grades ESL exams for a living---your English is very good. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I wouldn't say that unless I really, really meant it.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

And teacake, that sounds pretty good! Well, but I decidet against Australia because of the climate and all those poisenous animals. But if it does not work out with New Zealand...hmm... maybe it would be a possibility nontheless...

TerokNor

Well the climate is milder heat wise in Melbourne than most states (exception being Tasmania) and if you live in a city area you will likely never see a dangerous spider or snake. We don't have the worst spiders this far south and in fact no one has died from a spider bite here since (looks it up) 1981 when anti venoms were invented. Still the heat can be bad in the summer, though I assume if you are being a nanny the family will have A/C .

 

[TerokNor]

Thanks auntihill. Though my ability of understanding spoken English and speaking it myself is still some levels under my ability to write or read English, cause I practically never do it. What kind of ESL exams do you grade?

Is that so teacake? Not since 1981? That doesn´t sound too dangerous then. *L* Will considder it, but first I wait now if it works with New Zealand and then with Ireland...and then with Australia... and then with the UK. UK would work I know, but for this I would not really need a sending organisation, can just work there as whatever anyway.
Why you think the families would have A/C?

By the way I just wonder about something. If you work in a country you pay your part into the pension- cass...or how to call it, so that you get some money when you are old and stop working. How is it, when you work like for 5 years in the one country, then 5 years in a different country and then go back to your origin country and work there again? Are these 5 years somewhere else lost years for the later rent or does they count in some way? Or if you have worked for many years in one country and then emigrate to another? How does this count for your later pension?

TerokNor

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Terok they would have the A/C because they are wealthy enough to pay a nanny. Having nannies is unusual here, people would only do so if they had quite a good income. A/C is getting more common here, but many still don't have it.

One drawback about not driving is that in most nanny jobs you have to drive the children around to all their activities

As to your country question, it would depend on if the countries had some kind of agreement. Otherwise government pension/social security things would not carry over from country to country. Perhaps the EU or Commonwealth countries have an arrangement between member countries, I have no idea. The way around this is to find some superannuation fund that your employer pays into that is global.

 

[Count Zero]

It depends on whether those countries pay pensions abroad which not all countries do. Within the EU, it shouldn't be a problem (in case you end up in Ireland or the UK). I suspect other countries do that, too. Often countries have a minimum requirement of how long you have to continuously pay into the fund to get something back later.

 

[TerokNor]

*nods* Yes true. Many of the families are quite wealthy. Though there are also some with "normal" income, as it really is not that expensive. You only need one extra room and provide some food and a pocket money, for 40 hours working per week plus 1-2 evenings/nights of babysitting per week its around 200 NZDollar. So if you have like 3 kids for example its not that much. Also besides the kids other duties are doing the housework (well not all of it, but a fair share) and some cooking or at least helping in the kitchen. For all of this, its not a lot money is it?

Yep exactly, thats what the organisation said, that many families need someone to drive the kids to activities. Though they try to find now a family with very small kids, so they do not have that many activities yet.

Oh thats good to know with the pension. Not for this job, but when i apply for a real job as Early Childhood Educator. Thanks for the information. Have to look into it.

TerokNor

 

[Gul Re'jal]

Learning to drive a car in New Zealand? Never! You drive on the left side over there.

You have no idea how fast one gets used to "other" side. That goes from crossing a street as a pedestrian to expecting the wheel to be on the right side of a vehicle.

I don't have a driving licence, because I don't need it (public transportation where I live is just wonderful), but if I were to start learning now, I'd certainly learn here. Going back to Continental Europe and learn there? I'd land on the next car coming from the opposite lane

 

[Mary Ann]

I understand what you're saying about driving because my husband is the same way. He took lessons and passed his test the second time, but hasn't driven since. That was in 1996, I think. However, that doesn't mean that you'll never drive either. In the meantime, I hope the agency finds you a home with babies who are happy to be wheeled around in a pushchair and don't need to be taken anywhere by car.

 

[auntiehill]

Thanks auntihill. Though my ability of understanding spoken English and speaking it myself is still some levels under my ability to write or read English, cause I practically never do it. What kind of ESL exams do you grade?

I'll PM you the answer, because I don't want to bore everyone with my CV.

But, yes, being able to master both written and spoken English can be very difficult. The trick is to hear it often enough that you can start to *think* in it. I think coming to an English speaking country is a great idea.