Introduction to the UK
The Kiwi and Aussie OE is seen as a rite of passage for most. It is almost expected of us to pack our bags and move across to the UK to live, work, and travel throughout Europe. However, the OE has moved on from days gone by – no longer will you have to slum it pulling pints while on minimum wage, living above a pub. With new visa options the OE can now be seen as an opportunity to boost your career, save (or spend) some £’s, travel throughout Europe, and make a tonne of new friends.
Why the UK
You’re going places – your career is on track, you have a few years experience under your belt, you have the funds and the inclination to travel and experience a range of new things. The world really is your oyster. There are so many fantastic places to go, so why choose the UK?
The basics:
Culturally, the UK is relatively similar to New Zealand and Australia. We speak the same language, eat similar foods, have a love of beer and sport, and drive on the same side of the road. A lot of us can trace our roots back to the UK at some point, and we often feel the need to at least pop over and see what all the fuss is about. Compared to a lot of countries it is relatively easy for skilled professionals to obtain working rights in the UK. See our visa section for more information.
The differences:
| |
UK |
New Zealand |
Australia |
| Population |
61 million (approx) |
4.2 million (appox) |
21 million (approx) |
| Largest city |
London (7.5m) |
Auckland (1.3m) |
Sydney (4.2m) |
| Land |
242,495 km2 |
270,692 km2 |
7,692,208 km2 |
| Density |
251 / km2 |
15 / km2 |
2.7 km2 |
Source: Britannica
As you can see above, population is the major difference between Australia & NZ, and the UK. While the UK is smaller in terms of land size, they have over 14x the population of NZ. When you first step off the tube and head up to Oxford Street it can be a pretty daunting experience as you fight amongst the thousands in the bustling shopping area. You’ll soon get used to this and get your ‘London Pace’ on!
The benefits:
This larger population brings with it loads of benefits. London is ranked as Europe’s best city for business, and the leading city for global commerce, and the UK’s business environment is among the best in Europe at 4th (trailing Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland). It is also predicted that by 2020 London will be the 4th largest city economy. Of course, all this needs requires a population base in behind to support it, filled with talented professionals.
The UK and London especially is an attractive prospect for business, and London is the European base for many multinationals. These global brand names mean larger projects, bigger budgets, and exposure to different processes, technologies, and ways of doing business. Imagine returning to New Zealand with company names such as Credit Suisse, BP, or Google on your CV, having been implemental in multi-million £ deals and projects. This experience is invaluable, and upon your return to NZ or Australia (or elsewhere) you will be quickly snapped up.
Now you have the career aspect sorted, you have to consider other reasons for moving to the UK.
It is a major life event after all! While money is not always everything, it is certainly nice to have. Whether you aim to save or spend, you can earn a lot while in the UK. Transfer this to NZ to almost triple your savings, or use it on travel and experiences across the UK!
Yes, the travel aspect is a major reason to head to the UK. By basing yourself in London (or near a major airport), you can easily skip off to Spain, France, Italy... or wherever for a weekend away. And it is true what they say, you can get bargain flights to almost anywhere from £1 + taxes upwards. Expose yourself to a range of cultures, languages, food, and traditions – from the La Tomatina in Spain, to Oktoberfest in Germany.
Throughout your time away you are going to make a range of new friends, acquaintances, and business connections throughout the UK and Europe. This can open a variety of doors for you and your career, or a couch to crash on when away in Munich.