Life seldom follows a scripted path, and this is something that Jami, a 28-year-old Malaysian graduate from one of the world’s top universities, knows all too well.
Following her graduation from the Peking University in Beijing, she was poised for a bright future in the corporate world.
However, Jami chose a radically different path— she chose to embark on working holiday adventures in New Zealand and Australia, far from the glossy office towers of Beijing.
Reflecting on her decision, Jami shares, “At first, I was set on a high-paced life in Beijing. But as I grew, my dreams evolved. I wanted something different, something that felt more like living than just surviving.”
Her journey began serendipitously in 2018 while on a family trip in New Zealand. There, she met three Hong Kongers who were on a working holiday and told her tales of transient lifestyles and flexible work, effectively sparking a desire for change in Jami.
In March 2022, Jami secured her visa amid the easing of pandemic restrictions. “I remember registering with the immigration on March 16, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement,” she recalls.
The rigours of physical labor
Within her first week in New Zealand, Jami bought herself a second-hand car—a crucial purchase that enabled her to commute the 40 kilometers from her home to the vegetable packing facility.
At around 5am, she would leave her house for work, driving in the dark, cold air to start her morning shift.
Handling wet vegetables when it’s barely one or two degrees outside was a shock to my system.
“The physical discomfort was further compounded by chilblains that prickled painfully at my fingers, which was a harsh welcome to my first working holiday job.
“My days were quite long too, where I worked from 6:30am to 4pm. However, I personally found it to be taxing but rewarding,” she shared.
Financially, the pay seemed promising at first glance—NZ$21.20 (approx. RM60) per hour. However, Jami told us that at least 2 hours’ worth of her wages is spent on paying taxes.
(The NZ$21.20 per hour wage mentioned was based on the 2022 minimum wage in New Zealand. As of 2024, the minimum wage has indeed been adjusted to NZ$23.15 per hour.)
Loves factory cleaning the most
Jami’s next adventure led her to a food factory, where she took on the role of transforming fresh apples into dried ones.
Her days were split between morning and afternoon shifts, each offering unique challenges.
In the morning, Jami handled trays of apple rings, each tray weighing between 5 to 7 kilograms. Each round required her to move 96 trays to fill two racks for the drying process.
The afternoons brought Jami’s favorite part of the job: factory cleaning.
Using high-pressure hoses, she would wash away the day’s accumulation of apple scraps and debris from the machines.
The hose was so heavy, and after holding it for 12 hours a week, my hands ached so much that I found it hard to even clench my fists.
Cleaning the machinery four times a week for a total of twelve hours was strenuous and left her exhausted, yet the higher wage of NZ$26 (approx. RM74) per hour made it feel worthwhile.
Despite the physical demands and soaking wet conditions, Jami found the tasks immensely satisfying.
Work hard, play harder
Jami earned a total of NZ$32,000 during her first-year working holiday in New Zealand, which is approximately RM90,000.
She then embarked on an extensive series of travels across New Zealand, which included glacier hikes and shark cage diving.
While the trips eventually left Jami with only NZ$3,000 (approx. RM8,500), she noted that each adventure served to enrich her life even more.
Everything from accommodation to adventure sports was more expensive than I anticipated. Despite this, I considered the expenses to be worthwhile for the experience gained.
“Furthermore, I was able to travel across New Zealand four times with the money I earned. These journeys allowed me to delve deeper into life experiences, finding freedom in the simplicity and spontaneity of traveling alone.
Jami also couldn’t help but be amazed by the awesome scenery she saw during those trips, adding that it beautiful enough to “make her want to cry”.
Nevertheless, Jami’s solo trips weren’t without its challenges too. She said she went through various situations such as a punctured tire, but such obstacles never failed to show her the beauty of human kindness, noting that local residents were quick to extend their help.
What about the future?
Given how strenuous Jami’s work is, many have wondered whether she’s concerned about her future. For her, she sees it as a form of investment despite the labourous nature of her job.
“Investing in my own spiritual wealth has shown me the value of this lifestyle. Standing at each post, you learn why decisions are made, such as why you must pack one item before another, or how a boss chooses suppliers.
“Even as a small cog in the machine, these experiences prepare you to handle bigger responsibilities later on,” she said.
She added that the job had also taught her to manage the little things, which she believes is crucial for any high-ranking position she might hold in the future.
As for her solo travels, Jami said she has learnt one valuable lesson: never over plan and avoid anxiety by adapting to the present situation.
We Malaysians are raised to study hard and earn more, but now, in a job that doesn’t require much intellectual effort, I sometimes wonder what I’m doing.
“I became anxious when things were too relaxed here, but now looking back, all the long hours I worked and even having to prepare the next day’s meals at night, it wasn’t relaxed at all. So, there’s no need to worry too much.”
She also brushed away the notion that those who graduate from prestigious universities are bound to excel at large corporations or that the time spent at a top university is the highlight of one’s life.
“I believe that every moment can be a highlight. For me, a university title is just that—a title. It doesn’t define all that I am or all that I can achieve.”
Is working holiday really as good as what it is?
When asked the following question, Jami had this to say: “It’s boring.”
“Last year, I worked with onions, which I found particularly dull. Imagine staring at all the onions for ten hours straight. It was tedious.
“Even now as I’m working with citrus fruits in Australia after spending more than a year in New Zealand, the routine feels similar. Whether it’s oranges or lemons, you get tired of seeing the same fruits shift from 10kg to 15kg boxes,” she explained.
Jami also cautioned against jumping into the idea of going for a working holiday solely based on the assumption that it’s “fun”.
Don’t come unless you understand the sacrifices and challenges that lie ahead and are still eager to pursue this kind of life. If so, then perhaps it’s meant for you. Everyone is different—don’t blindly chase after it.
