Overseas experience
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Overseas experience (OE) is a term commonly used to describe an extended working holiday taken by travellers in a country other than their country of origin. The acronym "OE" (without qualification), frequently in the phrase "The big OE", is much more commonly used and recognised in Australia and New Zealand than it is in other English speaking countries, where the extended duration of the travel distinguishes this from the similar concept of a Gap year.
It is common for young people to spend a number of years overseas during their late teens, twenties or early thirties. This forms part of many countries' culture and this period of overseas travel plays an important part in the lives of many growing up and broadening their experience in life.
OE is often taken following the completion of secondary or tertiary education, as a way of placing a gap between career steps (in the same way as a gap year does). However, it is also common for the break to occur after several years of employment following graduation from university.
Many of such travellers come under the label of Backpackers due to their limited budgets, and the service industries that have been created for such travelers are of considerable importance in many countries in the world.
Overseas experience is considered a way for young people to see different parts of the world (especially important for isolated countries such as Australia and New Zealand), and to mature as a person.
