IEP Participant Profiles

Shaun Forrest

Tauranga, New Zealand

Quote:
" Vancouver has drawn me in as a city because of its proximity to the Mountains. It's a strange concept to take a sea ferry and a public bus to a work at a ski hill in the winter. It also makes the view atop the mountain quite unique, ie a large cityscape. Yet in the summer the city transforms into a buzzing outdoor city. Great golfing, hiking in the mountains, beaches, black bears roaming the streets, spotting deer in the trees, it is a very unique city!"

Sara Morgan

Te Awamutu, New Zealand

Quote:
" Having a job to go to through the job fair got rid of any stress. The cost of the fair is really only the same as not working for a week, which you would do while looking for a job anyway. The orientation is great once you get here. The tips on rent, cell phones and banks is all usefull because you need to know it right away and it all functions differently to New Zealand"

Tina Horn

Wellington, New Zealand

Quote:
"IEP was fantastic at arranging my VISA and they answered so many of my questions. SWAP in Canada is super friendly as well and have a relaxed office environment with free internet and lots of activities for everyone."

Ruan Chryssafis

Auckland, New Zealand

Quote:
" love the momentum I gained through 2 years of working in Canada. I learned how to survive, get new skills, make loads of money, travel Canada / USA and build lifelong friendships along the way. I still have working-travel experiences high on my agenda of things to do."

Braedan de Lange

Hastings/Wellington , New Zealand

Quote:
"I spent my time living in a neighborhood called Ridgewood, which is split between the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York Cit. I worked for J.C. Penney and it was only a few blocks from Times Square with the Empire State building right outside our front door!"

Mike Stevenson

Te Anau , New Zealand

Quote:
"I have learnt a lot working in the US. Purely through experience alone I have come across a lot of tools that I can use to help me in my future career. I have since got a job back in New Zealand which I attribute partly to my experience over here."

Charles Gerard

Auckland, New Zealand

Quote:
"Working full-time and having to fend for myself financially was great. Plus travelling on my own put me in circumstances where I was out of my comfort zone, but it was great as I have made many great friends from America and around the world."

Kirwee, Canterbury, New Zealand

Quote:
"Work America has been the best experience of my life so far! I have made many friends and had many unforgettable experiences. IEP set me up well for heading over and coming back."

Antonina Depczynski

Auckland, New Zealand

Quote:
"Updating my resume with an international job placement has certainly added that extra dimension. I?ve managed to secure an elite internship which is supplementing my fulltime study. My confidence in my working ability has hugely increased which is something I will always apply to future employment opportunities."

Katie Jackson

Christchurch, New Zealand

Quote:
"Just do it! Don't just sit around and wait, go for it! Pack up your bags and experience life! You won't regret it!"

Matthew McAtamney

Fairlie, Christchurch, New Zealand

Quote:
"Highlights, the lot!!! I can't single out anything above the rest as I just enjoyed every part of camp so much. We went on some really fun day trips while at camp such as theme parks, zoos, water parks, indoor skate parks and ten pin bowling. But days at camp were equally as good."

Jerry McCarthy

Wellington (Lower Hutt), New Zealand

Quote:
"The best thing about camp though was allthe people I met. Such an amazing group! I'm still incontact with a lot of them-friends for life!"

Claire Auchinvole

Nelson, New Zealand

Quote:
"I learned a lot about myself, my responses and my habits. It helped give me perspective to my life and work out who I want to become."

Shelly Paget

 Wairarapa, New Zealand

Quote:
"IEP and their supporting BUNAC programme have been great. At first I was hesitant at spending that little bit extra for the programme after seeing the prices for air flights etc. I can?t imagine doing this trip so far without them; they have been an amazing backup support, especially when I had my passport stolen. It?s by far worth the fees, your silly if you don?t!"

Donnella De Silva

Auckland, New Zealand

Quote:
"I lived in Cusco, a city in the far west of Peru, near Machu Picchu. I worked in an orphanage and a kindergarten there each day for three months. I was lucky enough to be put in a home-stay accommodation near both of my jobs, so I was able to walk to work each day."