Craving adventure? Eager to meet new people? Ready to step out of your comfort zone? These are just a few of the reasons why individuals from around the globe opt for a Working Holiday Visa experience with Fairmont in the breathtaking mountains of Canada. With an array of luxurious resorts to choose from in Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and Whistler, the Canadian mountains transform into the ultimate dream destination for those seeking to work and explore beyond the borders of their home country.
We had the chance to sit down with a colleague working at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge to talk about his experience as an Australian looking to live, work and play in one of the most unique destinations in the world: Jasper National Park.
Meet Jacob Shannon
Hi, my name is Jacob Shannon and I moved to Canada from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. I am currently working at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge as a Houseperson for our staff accommodations, as part of our Housing team. I was interested in applying for a Working Holiday Visa for the opportunity to travel and work at the same time. I'd been working as an Architectural Draftsperson for close to 9 years across different companies and I figured it was time to step outside my comfort zone and discover a new place and meet many new people from all across the world.
How long did the Working Holiday Visa process take from the day you filled out the application, to the day you arrived in Canada?
Close to 12 months. I applied through a company called The Working Holiday Club (TWHC) and received my information package in November 2022, then landed in Canada at the end of November 2023 to begin working at the start of December 2023. I began the process by some email correspondence and then was able to speak with someone from TWHC who had done the program and who was able to speak from their previous experiences applying for a Working Holiday Visa and travelling through Canada.
What was the overall process like being an Australian applying for this type of Canadian visa?
Applying for the Working Holiday Visa through the TWHC was very easy as they were there to help every step of the way. They provided me with step-by-step resources and assistance and were able to answer any questions that I had very quickly. Once I paid the initial fee, I was able to begin the process. In February 2023 I flew to Sydney for a compulsory Biometrics test, and then in June 2023 I was interviewed by Fairmont's Talent Acquisition Team on the Gold Coast where I discussed a lot about myself and what roles would best suit me at Fairmont. After about 1 month, I received my job offer and accepted my current role with Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. After that I was then able to book my flights and start packing!
What types of obstacles did you run into and how did you deal with them?
A challenge that I had through the process was having to travel to Sydney to complete my biometrics appointment. This meant that I was having to take time off work and pay for flights & accommodation for a 15 minute appointment which was not available closer to where I live. I also found one of the challenges was all the waiting around for different paperwork and processes. It can be a lengthy endeavor and some parts of the process took longer than I thought. Being patient during this time was really hard, but the key to get through it.
What advice would you give others applying for a working holiday visa in Canada?
My advice for people wanting to apply for a working holiday visa in Canada is to look at your options and understand the different ways you could obtain your visa. I went with an agency, which was costly, but they were experts in this field and took care of a lot of the paperwork and logistics. You can also obtain the visa on your own, which is less expensive, but does requires more work and organization from your side.
What has been your favourite part thus far about working and living outside of your home country?
Some of my favourite things about living and working in another country is ultimately pushing myself outside my comfort zone and challenging myself to live life to the fullest. Travelling by myself hasn't always been smooth sailing, but since landing at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge the amount of friends that I have met that have ultimately become family is incredible. I've been so lucky to make plenty of memories with many new people in Canada. Being able to wake up and be surrounded by the beautiful landscape every single day is something very special.
If you would like to learn more about Working Holiday Visas and working in the Canadian Mountains, view the resources on the Government of Canada's Website or visit The Working Holiday Club Website.
Ready for an adventure? Visit FairmontMTNJobs.com to learn more about what it's like to live, work and play in Fairmont's Mountain Region.