There are only 7 days left to tell CampusPerks.ca and Tourism Australia what you go Aussie for and you could win 1 of 3 VIP Aussie Adventures!

Andrea Kligman, a recent graduate from Queen’s University’s commerce program, spent nearly a year in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa to gain some international marketing experience and to take in some of Australia’s incredible sights and culture. In this Q&A, she dishes on her experience.

Don’t miss the slideshow of her incredible photos at the end of the article!

Q. Why did you choose to do a Working Holiday Visa term in Australia?

A. I chose to work for a year in Australia so I could gain some international experience in my industry (marketing) while traveling in a country that I had never been to (which had optimal weather)!

Australia was the perfect choice for an international work experience because it is an English-speaking country, it is known for being a prominent player in the marketing/advertising industry, and the salaries tend to be a little higher than in Canada. It is also extremely easy to get an Australian Working Holiday Visa (it took 24 hours).

Q. Where were you located in Australia, what did you do there, and how long did you stay?

A. I was located in Sydney, Australia, and found a place to live that was only a couple hundred metres from a gorgeous beach. My commute into the central business district was only a half hour from the beach. I worked at Sydney Olympic Park as a marketing and membership co-ordinator for their lifestyle program, which is a non-profit loyalty program for residents and employees in the Olympic Park area. I lived in Sydney for 9 of the 11 months I was there and then ended my stay with a trip up the east coast of the country.

Q. What did you get out of your experience in Australia?

A. I gained a lot more than just international work experience from living and working in Australia, which is what I originally went there for. I learned that I could handle a significant transition. I was also able to really get to know the country because I traveled to different cities and sites on weekends and holidays. Even in Sydney, every weekend felt like a vacation because I was only minutes away from the beach. Also, great friends.

Q. How has this experience contributed to your career?

A. I found that the experience paid off quickly. When I returned to Canada, I had a few interviews for agency jobs. In every interview, I was asked about my time in Australia and how the trip not only impacted my career but my life in general. Sharing my Australian experience made me feel more at ease knowing that he or she had a better understanding of who I was as a person. In addition, the experience has improved my communication skills and confidence in general.

Tell CampusPerks.ca and Tourism Australia what you go Aussie for and you could win 1 of 3 VIP Aussie Adventures! All it takes to get started is a 60-second video!

Three lucky Canadian post-secondary students or recent grads will each win a three-week VIP Aussie Adventure with an all-access pass to the hottest sites and destinations Down Under.

Make sure you mention TalentEgg in your application—the first five TalentEggers who submit their video and qualify for the contest will win a $50 gift card from Chapters and get the support of the entire TalentEgg community throughout the contest!

Click here for more information about the VIP Aussie Adventure contest!