What kind of jobs did you do here in New Zealand?
Nils: I started with a bit of WWOOFing. In Tamaranui, I worked turning an old church and school into a retreat. In Mt Maunganui, I was cutting trees and getting firewood. I got to ride motorbike every afternoon around the property and the family that I lived with was great.
In Wanaka, I worked as bartender at a festival, which was a lot of fun – then as a glassy. I liked it because I was always busy and had no time to get bored.
After that, I worked a few days in an Indian restaurant as a kitchen hand but quit really fast because I didn’t like it at all. I went on to work in the kitchen of a small café for about a month and a half.
From time to time I also I helped out landscaping around Wanaka to earn extra cash.
What did this trip teach you?
Nils: I gained a lot of self-confidence. Instead of staying in my own bubble I can say “hi” to anybody and make new friends without any problem.
I also learned how to find a job on my own. Before this trip, all the jobs that I got were given to me by friends of my parents, so here I learned how to get one on my own.
Of course, I also learned how to live on a budget.