Great article. I am thinking about doing this course over the next few months (gotta save some money), have been reading peoples reviews and this is really encouraging!
Hi Stacey, Thanks. I would most definitely recommend it. As I said in the article, the resources that you get i.e. the access to job opportunities through the course and the excellent information and knowledge that you gain in the course itself is something that you can’t beat. The content is constantly being updated also to take account of the up and coming changes in the writing, photography and film world, which I think is great. It’s WELL worth the money.
Hi Martina, sounds like a great adventure, well written I was with you all the way. Glad your rucksack made it , that happened to me in Turkey and luggage never turned up, Enjoy the adventure, Bernie
Hi Bernie, I’m glad it made it too. At least it turned up unlike yours. That must have been terrible not to get your stuff back. I always bring an extra set of underwear, tootbrush & toothpaste, essential medication and other basics in my handluggage in case things like that happen. Fingers crossed now for good luck with getting a job & a work visa.
Hi Tanya, thanks. The trip from Ams to Wellington was an experience especially with my missing bag but at least I got it back and fairly quickly too. I start volunteering next week with the SPCA and I’m looking forward to that. Will post a blog about those experiences too hopefully.
Thanks Tricia. I’ve only once had my luggage delayed before and that was in Nice in 1998. It arrived safely the next day too. But yes, the thing was that I stayed calm through it all, even though my heart was flying and I was thinking ” I could actually miss this flight to Wellington”. It all worked out fine in the end. Thanks for your support 🙂
Hey Tina! As another example of Irish/Celtic music melding with anther culture you should check out Afro Celt Sound System and see how they melded the two. http://www.afroceltsoundsystem.net/
Hi Brian, yes I was looking at the youtube video clip of Afro Celt Sound System at Lush Fest 2011. It’s a great combination of sounds and a very good example of how different culture’s music combine well together.
Check ‘Captured Essence’ : They are dear friends of mine, immigrated about three years ago to NZ and might give you some advice. He is a audio visual man and she is very much finding her way into Moari culture and language. Might be worth to talk with them and tell them you got their names through me. And that you know me form Irish Trad music! By the way, her daughter plays beautiful harp, an I know she does some Irish stuff as well. Good luck and all the best!! Cheers, Job
Thank you for your post! Thank you for your post! I am very interested in signing up for MatadorU’s Travel Writing and Travel Photography courses concurrently. I also just applied for a Working Holiday Visa for Australia a few days ago and I am currently waiting to hear back. If I start my MatadorU courses in January 2015 and leave for Australia (assuming I am granted the visa) in mid-February, would I be able to advertise myself as available for freelance assignments in Australia and surrounding areas? I realize I will have to work harder and be self-disciplined to complete the two courses while also working in Australia to support myself until I get assignments (which I may have to work only part-time to allow enough time in the day for the courses), but is this something you believe is doable? I would appreciate any advice!
Hi Chrissy, if you put your mind to allocating time for the courses and the part time writing assignments, then I’m sure it will be doable, as long as you’re organised. The courses are worth it.
Hi Peter, I think I remember checking that out before I left in 2013. There might be an Elsevier office in Auckland. I’ll have to check it out. Know any Kiwis over here that you could suggest 🙂
TheTtravel
Also made font changes, see here for more options, but this can always be changed later. http://www.google.com/webfont
Gerrit Kuilder
My comment
Martina Mc Auley
My comment back. It looks like the format is ok.
Thomas
Great story, would definitely make one go and see it also !
martinamcauley
ThanksThomas. It was one of the highlights of my trip to NZ, something I’ll never forget.
Lisa Niver Rajna
Thank you so much for participating in our contest! I appreciate all of your comments and help to make it better! Lisa
stacey
Great article. I am thinking about doing this course over the next few months (gotta save some money), have been reading peoples reviews and this is really encouraging!
martinamcauley
Hi Stacey, Thanks. I would most definitely recommend it. As I said in the article, the resources that you get i.e. the access to job opportunities through the course and the excellent information and knowledge that you gain in the course itself is something that you can’t beat. The content is constantly being updated also to take account of the up and coming changes in the writing, photography and film world, which I think is great. It’s WELL worth the money.
Bernie Stevenson
Hi Martina, sounds like a great adventure, well written I was with you all the way. Glad your rucksack made it , that happened to me in Turkey and luggage never turned up, Enjoy the adventure, Bernie
martinamcauley
Hi Bernie, I’m glad it made it too. At least it turned up unlike yours. That must have been terrible not to get your stuff back. I always bring an extra set of underwear, tootbrush & toothpaste, essential medication and other basics in my handluggage in case things like that happen. Fingers crossed now for good luck with getting a job & a work visa.
Tanya Raj
Loved this article Martina. Cant wait to read more of your experience in NZ.. 🙂
martinamcauley
Hi Tanya, thanks. The trip from Ams to Wellington was an experience especially with my missing bag but at least I got it back and fairly quickly too. I start volunteering next week with the SPCA and I’m looking forward to that. Will post a blog about those experiences too hopefully.
Tanya Raj
that’s great! Best of luck with it 🙂
Tricia Winters
I’m exhausted just reading about it all!! Well done you, if you can tackle that, you can tackle anything! Love T x
martinamcauley
Thanks Tricia. I’ve only once had my luggage delayed before and that was in Nice in 1998. It arrived safely the next day too. But yes, the thing was that I stayed calm through it all, even though my heart was flying and I was thinking ” I could actually miss this flight to Wellington”. It all worked out fine in the end. Thanks for your support 🙂
Hans Stolk
You made it girl! Loved the read, I’ll be looking forward to hear about your next adventure!
Brian
Hey Tina! As another example of Irish/Celtic music melding with anther culture you should check out Afro Celt Sound System and see how they melded the two. http://www.afroceltsoundsystem.net/
Martina Mc Auley
Hi Brian, yes I was looking at the youtube video clip of Afro Celt Sound System at Lush Fest 2011. It’s a great combination of sounds and a very good example of how different culture’s music combine well together.
Miriam
Sounds really good Martina! proud of ya! Keep up the good works!
Martina Mc Auley
Hi Miriam, thanks. Things didn’t work out as planned with that project actually. Will post a blog on f/book soon to tell people about it.
Job
Check ‘Captured Essence’ : They are dear friends of mine, immigrated about three years ago to NZ and might give you some advice. He is a audio visual man and she is very much finding her way into Moari culture and language. Might be worth to talk with them and tell them you got their names through me. And that you know me form Irish Trad music! By the way, her daughter plays beautiful harp, an I know she does some Irish stuff as well. Good luck and all the best!! Cheers, Job
Guest
Hi Marina,
Thank you for your post! Thank you for your post! I am very interested in signing up for MatadorU’s Travel Writing and Travel Photography courses concurrently. I also just applied for a Working Holiday Visa for Australia a few days ago and I am currently waiting to hear back. If I start my MatadorU courses in January 2015 and leave for Australia (assuming I am granted the visa) in mid-February, would I be able to advertise myself as available for freelance assignments in Australia and surrounding areas? I realize I will have to work harder and be self-disciplined to complete the two courses while also working in Australia to support myself until I get assignments (which I may have to work only part-time to allow enough time in the day for the courses), but is this something you believe is doable? I would appreciate any advice!
martinamcauley
Hi Chrissy, if you put your mind to allocating time for the courses and the part time writing assignments, then I’m sure it will be doable, as long as you’re organised. The courses are worth it.
Peter
Hey Martina!!! Nice to read your story. Is there no Elsevier office in NZ or another publisher you can work for. Or just marry a Kiwi ?
martinamcauley
Hi Peter, I think I remember checking that out before I left in 2013. There might be an Elsevier office in Auckland. I’ll have to check it out. Know any Kiwis over here that you could suggest 🙂