Prices are higher in the best periods of the year.

Political stability
Law and order as known in Australia is not the norm in many Asian countries, especially away from the cities, so that small groups are better advised to use officially organised travel groups in those circumstances.

Health hazards

As sickness and diseases are more prevalent in Asian countries, more care than at home has to be taken. Malaria and stomach problems are typical. Vaccinations and inoculations and tetanus shots are advisable before departure. These vary for different countries and even different parts of countries. Consult your doctor or the Health department a month or two before departure. Cuts and scratches need more immediate attention than in Australia, ie, a small medical kit is advisable in the luggage.

Travel arrangements
It is important to clearly decide the path to be travelled and the destination, so that others can monitor your safety and progress.

Travel documents
For many countries visas, passports and travel documents are not only necessary but travel without them is not possible, and thus if lost while travelling the result is delay and embarrassment. Therefore the greatest care must be taken of them, and they should be carried on your person as much as possible inside safe pockets.

Currency and fluctuations
The value of Australian currency has been fluctuating over the last few years and a 5% depreciation by itself can be a worry, but variations of 30 % in some Asian countries can greatly effect the availability of supplies of Australian currency to the traveller.

Many Asia countries take only US dollars from foreigners. Find out before you leave. Credit cards can usually be used in big cities and in hotels, but you need to make sure if the facilities are available.

Credit cards are precious documents and are to be closely guarded.

Change travellers cheques as required to avoid loss of cash. Each time a currency is changed, a percentage is charged.

Culture and religion
When visiting Asian countries, it is advisable to have some knowledge of their culture to avoid unknowingly giving offence. You may have heard the saying, "loss of face". Many Australians believe causing "loss of face", just means someone was a bit rude, and upbringing and ignorance is blamed, but in Asia, it is usually considered as being at least very rude, deliberate, and unacceptable. Remember, be polite.

A little knowledge of the local religion can also save offence. It is worth the effort, as you travel as a representative of your country. For example, remove footwear before entering homes or places of worship. Women need to cover up in these places.

Types of Tours
By plane
Due to the short distance to Asia, plane travel takes about six to seven hours to reach most main cities from Australia.

By Train
Developed countries such as Japan and China are open to train travel, ie in Japan you can buy an unlimited rail pass for several weeks and travel the country at your own leisure in conducted rail tours, on clean white bullet trains, for example the Shin Kansen.

By Bus
Bus travel is cheap, but can be very crowded. In hot weather it could be very uncomfortable. Tourist buses could be the way to go, if available.

Working Holiday
The recent financial meltdown has created a considerable amount of unemployment in most Asian countries and even in Japan, so that casual or part time work for unskilled people is virtually nil. However due to the substantial devaluation of most Asian currencies in respect to the Australian dollar our dollar buys more and reduces the cost of the holiday.

Some ways to get work overseas
WEP

The World Education Program organises working holidays to Japan for people between 18-27. WEP offers a Japan Hospitality Program, which prepares people for Japanese culture. They also assist participants to find jobs in Japan's tourism, hospitality, and service industry for twelve months.

(See Smart Start 2000, page 98, of Working Holidays overseas)

The Gap Year Company
Website: http://www.gapyear.co.uk

EMail:bugs@gapyear.co.uk

This company organises one year or fifteen months of work in many places. The writers of their magazine are all under twenty-six, and they have tried everything themselves. The international paper, The UK Mail, Tuesday 28 September 1999, featured four student travellers who described their work in Sri Lanka, Africa, and America, which included teaching, building a hospital and working with a circus.
Contact them to find out details.

Prepare Before You Go

If you have had Work Experience while at school, and have some basic skills, a resume and a Work Experience Certificate, use your negotiating skills to seek Work Experience in an overseas branch of the company where you worked. Ask them to recommend you. Perhaps you could work as a cadet for some months, or work on your six month work holiday visa.

How to prepare
Obtain

• an International Drivers Licence.
• travel Insurance
• a typed letter of introduction from your school principal and other organisations such as a sports club and surf club Association.
• a reference from your bank.
• a working holiday visa from the embassy
• address and phone number of the Australian Embassy in the country you are visiting.

• Find out about laws, labour restrictions and tax.
• Get some skills before you go, a hospitality certificate, silver service, fast food service, computer skills and office skills. Short courses on these are available through TAFE colleges in NSW.
• Contact the: TAFE Information Centre
  Phone: 131601
• Make things easier by getting copies of your documents translated into the language of the country you are visiting.
• Take three copies of your passport photo in case you need to put them on applications there.
• Leave a list with passport number, and other documents, and a list of your itinerary at home.
• Travel with a friend, or small group who are looking for the same kind of working holiday.