Q. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you came to Australia.
A. My name is Cheon Ki-young, and I’ve been in Australia for about six months.
I’ve backpacked through more than 19 countries over 30 trips, but Australia is the first English-speaking country I’ve actually lived in.
I first arrived in Melbourne, but the weather was too cold and finding a job was difficult. Since city vibe and weather are very important to me, I moved to sunny and warm Brisbane.
This trip isn’t just a vacation; I wanted to live here, use English daily, and experience life firsthand.
Q. How did your job search experience differ between Melbourne and Brisbane?
A. When I had no Australian work experience, I applied to 13–14 cafes in Melbourne and did about 10 trials, but I was rejected every time. Even though I tried my best, landing a job was not easy.
However, even without working, I learned how cafes operate and got a feel for the workflow.
In Brisbane, using that experience during interviews, I got almost every job I applied for.
I realized that in Australia, skills matter, but local experience and attitude matter even more.
Q. What do you think is the most important point during a barista trial?
A. Many people focus on perfecting latte art, but honestly, that’s not what usually gets you hired.
Managers look at whether you can make a coffee immediately when asked, whether your movements are confident and natural, and whether you can keep up with the flow.
Rather than someone meticulous, they hire the person who gives the impression: “This person can jump in even during a busy shift.”
Latte art is just a bonus; speed, workflow, and hand coordination matter much more.
Q. On the job, what skills are most important for a barista?
A. Speed and multitasking are the most important.
Orders come constantly, so you need to anticipate the next one while working.
During peak takeaway hours, being slow will immediately cause complaints.
All 10 trials I did in Melbourne were at extremely busy cafes, and not having that experience made it hard to succeed at first.
Q. After traveling the world, how would you describe Australia?
A. I’ve traveled extensively in Asia and Europe, but Australia is the first place where I had to use English every day. Travel English and real-life English are completely different.
It’s not easy, but Australia is the fastest way to improve your English.
Q. Do you have any tips for working holiday makers studying English?
A. Here’s a real tip: it’s more important to use English than to know a lot of words.
Instead of memorizing 100 expressions, focus on 10 and use them in real life. Even if you memorize 100 words, you’ll forget them if you never use them. But once you use an expression, it sticks and becomes long-term memory.
Making mistakes is completely fine—mistakes help you grow. In Australia, being proactive and speaking up is far more valued than shy politeness. Confidence and initiative are more important than Confucian-style courtesy for English learning and employment.
Q. What’s your approach to setting and achieving goals?
A. I always set small goals, act quickly, and achieve them fast. Having worked as a barista in Australia, I feel I’ve 100% achieved the goals I set here.
Many working holiday makers try to set too many goals at once and often leave saying, “Australia didn’t help my English much,” or “It was just a good experience.”
During my backpacking trips, I’ve always set realistic goals and achieved them one by one, which is why I feel satisfied with my life now.
I’m planning my next big and long backpacking trip, possibly my last before seeking a job again. Waiting to be perfect often leads to giving up. The longer the preparation, the more excuses appear.
I always buy the plane ticket first, then make detailed plans. Starting small and taking immediate action toward a goal is the key.
Q. What are your plans moving forward, and what advice do you have for current working holiday makers?
A. I’ve already achieved my goals in Australia. I’ve done Outback jobs, worked as a barista, and earned a satisfactory wage. I plan to leave after my first visa.
Next, I’ll travel the world from Asia to Egypt, Turkey, and Portugal. I have no detailed plans except for the departure date, but once the plane ticket is booked, plans naturally fall into place, and goals will be achieved.
For those struggling with job hunting: don’t give up. Take action on small goals immediately and achieve them one by one—that’s the fastest way to succeed.
