My Work & Travel Balance

When I was 18, I set out to do Work & Travel in New Zealand with my best friend for a year. We bought a van and travelled around, we worked in hostels and kiwifruit orchards and bars and cafés and anything else that we could find. We weren't making a lot of money, but we were happy and on an adventure.

First time away from home without the parents or anyone else taking care of us, out of school, making our own money. We had both done an exchange semester during High School, me in New Zealand and her in the US, so we knew about moving abroad and starting a new life somewhere else in a language we were not native in.

The Work & Travel experience was still very different. We were not tied to one place and there was no fixed curriculum. Every week was new and we could start driving in the morning, not knowing where we would end up to sleep that night. Not knowing who we would meet that day and who our next best friends were going to be.

It was such an exciting time and I am really glad I did this right after High School. It paved the way for what I knew was possible - the amount of freedom and flexibility I kept coming back to as a goal for my future life.

Obviously, there were challenges, too. We never made a lot of money and didn't know where the next pay check would come from. I remember having 17 dollars in my bank account and not knowing how to pay accommodation for the upcoming week. I remember when it was a special day in Wellington and all attractions were just 2 dollars, but I decided to save because I wanted to buy food.

So that wasn't always fun and we also struggled with starting over again and again at some point. Once you've seen another waterfall and another waterfall and you've made new friends and new friends and new friends, you crave routine. Or the feeling that you are moving forward, that you are going somewhere with this.

After a year of this amazing adventure, I came back to Germany to start studying at university, and I soon had a lot more structure again. I knew what classes to take and when the exams would be. I applied for internships and started working full time. I missed that flexibility and the chances of being surprised by what this day will bring, but I also saw myself learning and growing professionally. I knew that I was working towards something.

At this point in my life where I am now, I am actually combining the two. I am no longer bound to a location because I work online; at the same time, I am building my own business and I feel challenged and that I am growing something meaningful each day.

I love this mix and wouldn't have it any other way. As I am only just starting out embracing this lifestyle which is a combination of what I always wanted, I am curious to see what I will learn along the way and looking forward to sharing these learnings here with you.

Have a beautiful day and don't forget to prioritise both adventure and growth - they will lead you to beautiful places.