Program Reviews

It was a rainy and cloudy day. I put my boots and jacket on and planned to look for a job. But when I saw the ocean I changed my mind and chose to walk to the famous mountain. The artist I have met a day before said to me the mountain was not as far as it seems to be. I can walk to there. It will take me just 2 hours. I think that is ok if you have great landscape to see.
So I took my map started to walk straight to the mountain. While I walked through a village it started to get warmer, the sun was shining, the clouds were disappearing more and more and I was sweating more and more. I took off as much as I could but my feet were burning as hell in these boots. I got really really tired after 20 minutes, the hostel where I slept was not too far to go back but I did not want to give up. So I walked further, did not know where I was, had no water left, my mind is on standby while the sun is walking just next to me.
After a while, I do not know what time it was and how much time had passed, a car stopped next to me.
"Hi", said the woman in the car. "I saw you an hour ago over there and now you're here... I guess you need a ride to the mountain?!"
"Yes", I whispered, because my mouth was to dry.
I jumped in and we talked about our family. Sometimes some thoughts like "Are you crazy? What are you doing in a stranger's car? this woman could be your murderer or worse someone who is going to sell you!! LEAVE THAT CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.!!"
But my instincts said that this woman next to me is just doing me favor. So it was. I arrived ten minutes later at the mountain.
I climbed up and had the most beautiful view I will probably ever get in my life. I started to cry. Not because of the view but of women. The first time I saw that someone is doing a favor for someone else because - yeah, just because.
The hope that there is something like humanity, trust and charity is not dashed. Nature is not dashed.

I returned back for a longer backpacker experience. I traveled solo, thou it was daunting and scary. I met some lovely friends along the way from different countries. I worked in a variety of jobs and I gained new skills. I miss NZ lifestyle, it is soooo laid back. Working hard pays off when you reap the rewards of the social lifestyle. If you want to a limo to take you to do skydiving, I highly recommend Taupo Skydive (was the pink plane). I conquered my fear of heights and jumped out at 12,000ft :D And I wanted to do it all over again. Napier is a beautiful place, so relaxing and chilled back. Plus it is art deco :) I spent my summer months there twice during farm work. Arthur's Pass, Hanmer Springs and the Hobbiton is defo worth a visit.

My girlfriend and I had an amazing and unique experience living on the south island and I managed to get a job delivering mail on a motorcycle which was fantastic!

I missed NZ the moment we left and still do to this day. Definitely will be going back to visit in the future.

I joked about getting the 'job of my dreams' at Hobbiton Movie Set before I left home. My friends laughed it off, as I do have quite a nerdy streak. But, low and behold, I saw jobs advertised through the IEP facebook page and 11 months later it feels good to have, quite literally, lived the dream, had the support to sort out all of the daunting tax/bank details that my jet lagged brain struggled with, and have a base to check in with wherever I was in NZ for work/CV or travel bookings. Heaps of help!

Me and my friend got to know some awesome Kiwis and we decided to go camping over Christmas/New Years on their own discovered Campsite. Such a big FUN! We had BBQs , went out for fishing every day, drunk some beers with friends who came over, danced the whole night in a Pub and watched stars afterwards. That was the best way to celebrate this time of the year!
We moved into their flat. Spend there our last month before traveling. It finally ends up, that my friend and one of the guys felt in love for each other. Now after nearly a year, they are still a couple, rent a little house and giving me a great reason to come back once. :)
New Zealand is changing a life!

Well, where should I start, I arrived on my own in New Zealand so I was pretty lost in Auckland on the first few days.
IEPs orientation workshop helped me a lot and within a few hours you were prepared for everything you needed for a woorking holiday. That was really great if you are thousands of miles away and have no idea how to deal with NZs burocracy which is by the way not that difficult, but honestly, if you are planning on staying longer than just a few weeks it's definitely a good feeling to have everything organised on your arrival.

Their OFFICE IN AUCKLAND is located directly in Queen Street and makes it the one place to go when you just arrived. They do help you with basically EVERYTHING, and if I say everything I really mean it. No matter what you need they are there for you and help you as good as they and their partners can with tips for your travels, they book flight-, train-, bus and whatever tickets for you, they check offers you got if you want to buy a car, they keep your postage for your whole stay or send it to you without a charge to any place in New Zealand which is one of the big points why I chose to go with them on my gap year.

Another good point about IEP is their emergency number. If you are in trouble you can call them anytime and they will always help you as fast as possible!
Not to forget is also that they are all available via facebook so you can text them just on facebook and you'll get a fast reply. And of course they to provide the same service you can get in their Auckland office if you send them an email, call them or text them on facebook.

They really take care of you. Especially with their social events throughout the country. They do have amazing races through Auckland, pubmeets in different cities (in Auckland hosted by them and as far as I know in other cities hosted by other volunteering backpackers) which is a great opportunity to meet your travelmate (btw: that's how I met my travelmate lol)

All in all I can say it was definitely worth choosing IEP for my working holiday and I can doubtlessly recommend IEP to anyone who is planning on coming to NZ for a working holiday!

THANK YOU IEP, it was great exploring New Zealand with your help!

All the best for you guys in the future!

I arrived in New Zealand 9 and a half months ago. Aged 18 and with no plan what to do, I chose to go to BUNAC/IEP for my visa. They've been so amazing with helping me settle in and enjoy my time in New Zealand! I bought a stray pass in order to help me travel and that's also been awesome. Stray is a good way to meet people, get some awesome activities in and travel the length of NZ.
In the 9 and a half months I was here I worked in 2 hostels, lived in 2 cities, worked 2 waitressing jobs and travelled all the South Island and some of the North. It's been an adventure for sure! I used IEP to help with job searching, bank accounts and tax. They're always keen and happy to help which makes life easier!

Some highlights of my trip:
• doing the world's second most scenic skydive in Fox Glacier- a last minute decision which totally payed off!!
• Nevis Bungy jump in Queenstown. Absolutely terrifying and NOT to be done hungover (my mistake), but makes you feel like a champion.
• Paddling in a glacier pool at Mount Cook. Freezing cold but I did touch an iceberg so that's pretty cool.
• Swimming with wild dolphins in Kaikoura. As the sun rose over the sea, I was underwater singing through my snorkel to all these wild dolphins. Best day ever!!

New Zealand is an amazing, beautiful and enchanting country which shouldn't be overlooked.
Thankyou BUNAC and IEP for helping me get here!!!

My year out started last Sept, when I waved goodbye to Ireland and headed to the Asian shores. I travelled there for a little while before I headed for Australia. This is where I knew I would be very comfortable as I had friends & family dotted around the place. NZ was the place I was most nervous about....on my own properly, not knowing anyone, was a scary prospect but I am so delighted I did it! & more so with IEP. Their staff in their Auckland offices were friendly from the outset & knowing I could tip in with them at any stage, was such a great help, particularly in those initial days of finding your feet. Even the simple things of access to computers & being able to print things off....this was a huge help with locating work opportunities & accommodation. Their staff have also traveled nationwide and worldwide so they understand what you're going through & even just a friendly chat was always appreciated. I worked for a few months & then traveled the length and breadth of NZ. I loved every minute of it. If you are embarking on your adventure, I'm actually quite jealous! Enjoy this beautiful country. Aotearoa has definitely left a long-lasting impression on me. I would highly recommend IEP!

If you need an organisation for your gap year or not is probably one of the most ask questions from backpackers ever. The answer is simple. You don't.

But if you don't feel 100% sure or you would like some tipps and support the IEP is definetly one of the best choices you can do. The staff is always there for you. They help you with basically everything.
When I arrived here my Backpack was damaged and three days late. The IEP helped me dealing with the airline which was quite complicated. They gave me an Airbus-ticket including return for free just so I could actually go to the airport itself and drop my reciepts there.

IEP also helped me with any other questions I ever had. They booked a rental car for me and told me places to go. They gave me an valuable orientation seminar and told me everything about opening a bank account and applying for an IRD number.

Additionally the social media presence is pretty awesome. You can message people on facebook and they answer you as good as they can.

All in all IEP made my trip more enjoyable and gave me a feeling of safty because I have always someone who covers my back.

Quite simply the team at IEP are the most helpful and sincerely nicest people I've met whilst in NZ. I can't rate them highly enough. Their advice on where to stay, when to book, where to drink and how to make the most of your time here is second to none.
On more than one occasion I have turned up 20 minutes before they are due to close with a head full of ideas and last minute travel plans, with no real idea on how best to sort it out. The girls took the time to call rental companies, hostels, activity companies etc. and sort my whole trip out for me.
Even the times when people just want to come and chat or hang out or are having a tough day adjusting to life on the other side of the world. The team are more than happy to 'spin some yarns' and make you feel right at home.

I really would advise anyone thinking of coming to NZ to utilise their services as arriving in a new country is more stressful that you think.

My trip so far wouldn't have been the same without them.