Czech Working Holiday Scheme extended to 35 yrs of age!

The Czech Republic has very generously extended their working holiday programme for Kiwis to the age of 35 years, up from 30. This is excellent news for so many reasons and I encourage as many of you to take up this opportunity. Put it this way, if you are wanting to really experience a culture that is so amazing and different, then this is your golden ticket to take advantage of this opportunity.

If you are disillusioned with Kiwi politics then feel encouraged that the President of the Czech Republic, the legendary economist Václav Klaus. Far different from John Key, Václav is known as the Margaret Thatcher of Central Europe and is quoted as saying “Environmentalism, not preservation of nature (and of environment), is a leftist ideology... Environmentalism is indeed a vehicle for bringing us socialist government at the global level. Again, my life in communism makes me oversensitive in this respect” and “Environmentalism should belong in the social sciences" along with other "isms" such as communism, feminism, and liberalism. Klaus said that "environmentalism is a religion" and, in an answer to the questions of the U.S. Congressmen, a "modern counterpart of communism" that seeks to change peoples' habits and economic systems”

Leaves old Smile and Wave for dead.


If you are tired of watery substanded DB and Lion beers then rejoice, for the Czech Republic are prolific brewers and consumers of beer. This country has been brewing beer since at least 1118 so they know a thing or two about it.
Having visited Plzeň, the home of Pilsner beer just south of Prague, I can testify firsthand the supreme quality of their home grown beers. This country is also home of the original Budweiser or Budějovický Budvar – in South Czech Republic.
This country also has a variety of “liquors” that are widely popular and damn strong, and famous throughout Europe. My personal favourite is Becherovka.

Food.. I don’t have to say too much because it truly embraces meat just like in NZ. However I am once again forsaking a Kiwi Christmas to indulge in yet another Czech festive season and one of the highlights is the food I will be eating. And going to smoky bars to wash down my food with yet more beer with the locals.

Which leads me finally to the people. The Czech republic is home to many supermodels including Eva Herzigová, Karolína Kurková and Petra Němcová to name a few famous women. The women are remarkably stunning and like their European peers are very popular with Kiwi males and vice versa. I know of at least a dozen Czech women in London who have either married or are dating Kiwi men. I cannot vouch for the Czech men, but all the ones I know who are young are considered pretty good looking by my friends. Czechs I meet are generally friendly and greet and farewell you when you visit shops and in bars.


I guess I could say that if you are in New Zealand and looking for a different sort of OE, or have finished your UK part and are not willing to go home – then get yourself onto the Czech working holiday scheme and spend some time there. I can guarantee you will never regret this.