And because I hold an Australian passport, I’ve been able to do just that, because I can travel on Working Holiday visas — a benefit that young Americans should envy. Australia has reciprocal agreements with 26 governments that allow its young citizens (usually those under the age of 30) to work temporarily in each other’s countries, almost always without having to arrange employment sponsorship in advance. I’ve traveled from Asia to Europe to the Americas with these visas, and applying for one for Canada, where I’m now working, took me only a few minutes.

Working Holiday programmes were created to foster youth mobility, but they also encourage the exchange of cultural values. Participants serve as ambassadors for their home country and gain a greater appreciation for their host. And participants, like any tourists, contribute to the economy; Working Holiday travelers spend about $1.2 billion annually in Australia.

The United States, to its detriment, has no similarly accessible working holiday programme for its citizens, except some small pilot exchanges with Australia, New Zealand and South Korea that have onerous application processes. Why doesn’t it follow Australia’s lead, and expand the programme?

Immigration issues stir strong emotions in the United States, and further opening American borders to temporary labour, especially during a recession, would understandably be met with resistance. But although participants overwhelmingly enjoy their time abroad — and recommend the experience to family, friends and anyone with time to listen to their adventures — few seek permanent residency. Most also take jobs in restaurants or hotels, in positions that tend to be occupied by young workers.

Since the visas are reciprocal, these Americans are the very people who would be able to travel and land jobs abroad with similar ease.

I owe a great many adventures to this programme and I’ve gained an appreciation for the differences that make us human. When I hear the French stereotyped as snobby, for example, I know better. When I worked in France, the people I met were warm and welcoming, despite my mediocre 
language skills.

The United States could gain some similar good will by making it easier for Americans to work abroad, and by opening its doors to the 
world’s young.

Ayden Fabien Férdeline works for the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort

© IHT