SA youth turn to yachts

Johannesburg - Young South Africans wanting to take a year off to gain international work experience and to travel should realise that they will find a much more competitive job market because of the recession.

Steve Cooke, operations manager at Chilli Adventures, which arranges visas for the US, in particular, says the competition for seasonal work this year is more intense, with increased interest from within the US and from other countries.

For instance, people wanting to become counsellors at American summer camps for children, a very popular option for South Africans, must really shine in terms of skills and experience, he says.

But, he adds, South Africans are highly regarded in the US and his company has experienced no problems in placing counsellors this year.

Although South Africans no longer qualify for British working holiday visas, there are still many opportunities for young people wanting to gain international experience and see the world.

Popular options with limited up-front costs and for which work is guaranteed, include American summer camp programmes and au pair work for South African women between 18 and 25 who can take care of children and study in the US and various European countries for a year.

A new option that is hugely popular is working as a ship steward or deckhand on luxury yachts around the world, earning salaries of up to $2 500 (R18 360) a month with minimal living expenses, says Cooke.

Further options include working on a kibbutz in Israel, internships in the US or Mauritius, working holidays in Canada, working on pleasure boats around the world or teaching English in China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam or South Korea.

Initial expenses and requirements differ from option to option.

Some of the more expensive options, such as a Canadian visa, require flights, insurance, medical certificates and visa applications to be organised by an accredited agency, and this can cost as much as R5 000.

If Britain still beckons, a student visa allowing part-time work is a possibility. But this involves "significant expense", with advance payment of course fees. Applicants also have to prove they have adequate funds to support themselves for the duration of the course.

But London-based immigration expert Matthew Collins says the investment is worth the money.

South Africa, he comments, still lags the rest of the world somewhat in taking up and investing in global education, which can benefit young South Africans' careers tremendously.

- Sake24.com

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