NGC. Kid going to New Zealand. Suggestions?

[Cam Lay]

Middle Child is about to graduate high school and states that he would prefer a bit of adventure to going directly to college. My first attempt at college was an expensive disaster; I'm actually rather pleased that he realizes that he's not quite ready.

He has decided to be a "WWOOFer" for a year or so, (http://www.wwoof.net/ if you're interested) and has selected New Zealand as his destination. He's also got a 6-month deal lined up with a dairy farm and sheep ranch in Patea (North Island). He's got a good bit of mechanical aptitude when he puts his mind to it, having brought two old Yamahas back from the dead over the last year (an RD125 and the execrable AT125), but I think he's over-sold himself a bit (he told everybody he was an experienced welder, beekeeper, and carpenter, to which I would reply "passable for farm work, pretty much, and framing but not finish work"). He's not been within 10 yards (9.14 m) of a cow in his life, but he's 18 and learns fast. Plus, 7,500+ miles (12,000 km) from home, he'll have no choice...

He will have the time and does have the inclination to travel around a bit. He'll be short on cash, of course, and subject to all the normal tempatations of adolescence and testosterone. If anyone has any suggestions, places to see, not see, do or not do, we would be delighted to hear them.

He's got a work visa, of course, so even if you're not in the farming business, organic or otherwise, but need a good kid with a good work ethic and a strong back for a little while...


Thanks in advance,
C

[toma nova]

My only suggestion is to go with him!!!

He'll be fine.  NZ will be exotic enough to keep him interested but easy enough to move around and communicate that he won't get into any (serious) trouble.  Review the norms / laws about drunk driving and drugs as they tend to be different outside the US.  Skype or a US Vonage number (get it before he leaves) to call home - let him get a NZ cell when he gets there. Maybe agree on a monthly amount you'll put in his US bank so he can get it with his ATM card?

I went to college after four years turning a wrench in the USAF.  Some of us just need a little time to mature before college.

And go visit him and rent a bike!

Tom

[Lannis]

Good idea!  This will either let him know what he DOES want to do or what he does NOT want to do in life.   He may find that getting slapped in the face with a row of cowshit-loaded tails every morning is not so bad, or he MAY find that he'll make that college education WORK for him when he gets home!

Let him know that if you get a "Send lawyers guns and money, Dad, get me out of this" call, he's on his own, so he'd best not do any "stupid puppy" stuff.   Set him up with an account that should last him, so he knows he can't just blow it and call for more.   Communicate with letters - he's going to be a man, he doesn't need to be calling Mom every night, much as she would like him to.

This should be a good opportunity for him.   And maybe when he's established there and can tell you where a good motorcycle rental place is, you can go visit .... !

Lannis

[Kiwi Dave]

NGC New Zealand?  New Zealand is the place for a Guzzi (and any other motorcycle brand).  There's heaps of great roads around the area he's heading too.

And when you decide to visit him and rent a motorcycle, I would recommend www.guzzigander.com.  No bias, of course!   ;)

[Cam Lay]

We've had the "yer own your own, kid" discussion several times. He's looking forward to that (because he has no idea what it's going to be like to be 7,000 miles from home...) He'll do fine, I am sure, but I doubt it's going to be the cake-walk that he imagines.

He's funded the whole thing on his own, mind you, and we are keeping it that way. He's got a few hundred bucks put back and some of his WWOOFing contracts do pay him a little bit. I'll fly him back if he contracts Kiwi Death Virus or something, but otherwise he's there for at least as long as it takes him to buy a return ticket.

He went to Germany last year as an exchange student for about a month and did fine (other than "getting lost" on the bicycle ride and "waiting for them to find me" in the nearest biergarten). He paid for most of that one, too.

I think something very close to a grown man is going to step off the plane in a year or so  ;-T

[Muzz]

NGC New Zealand?  New Zealand is the place for a Guzzi (and any other motorcycle brand). 

Hell yeah!

Especially down in the southern areas people are pretty laid back.  We have our own quirks  re humour, slang etc. Great countryside and good roads.  Farm work can be low paid but is often made up for with accommodation and things.  Most enjoy the lifestyle out here.

[johnr]

I've met a few woofers and they seem to enjoy it. I don't know much about the scheme but there seems to be the opportunity to move about a bit. (different employers).

There is a lot of variety in NZ and even the culture varies a bit as you go North to South so hopefully he makes the effort to travel about a bit.
(When asked if I have traveled to any foreign countries my answer is 3. The Solomons, Fiji, and the North Island. Usually gets a laugh.)

I have heard of employers abusing the woofers scheme so it might pay if he had a bit of a look at NZ employment law basics. Good NZ govt. web pages on the subject.

Should he find that he needs a 'bail out' place to go that perhaps does not warrant going home I'm sure there are people here that could provide a place where he could catch his breath so to speak.  There is a spare room in my hovel for example.

[yogidozer]

suggestions? put a ball cap on backwards, dress like an 18 y/o and join him!