Two young men who have spent working holidays in foreign countries share their experiences at the press conference. (File photo/Wang Jin-ho)

"Making money" is almost the least important reason for a working holiday, a poll by the Taiwan-based Kang Wen Culture and Education Foundation said on Sept. 19.

The foundation conducted the poll on 226 young men from Taiwan who have been on working holidays in other countries for more than six months within the past three years. Among 25 reasons for applying for a working holiday, "making money" is the 23rd reason on the list.

The top three reasons are to broaden their horizons, develop new language and independent living skills, and to satisfy their curiosity for new experiences, the foundation said.

"Most available jobs in Canada, approximately 70%, for people who are on working holidays are in the service industry. But Canadians never look down upon people because of their job," said Lin Yen-chieh, a former college student who spent a year in the country.

In response to recent negative news coverage of the experiences of people from Taiwan on working holidays abroad, Lin, who is now working in the film industry, decided to produce a documentary about working holidays. The film will feature four young men who are heading toward Canada for their working holidays next month. Lin will travel with them for another year and film their experiences of living and working in another country.

"I hope that my film can offer more answers to more people so they will not misunderstand 'working holidays,'" Lin said.

References:

Lin Yen-chieh　　林彥潔