Generation Covid

A young backpacker decides a pandemic isn't enough of a reason to put off her dream OE.

"She'll be right. Whatever happens, happens."

"Meg" had always planned to travel through Europe after leaving high school. She delayed her plans until after the first lockdown of 2020 then left for France.

With two friends she drove a broken-down van from Italy to Germany, through Poland and the Netherlands. One of her travelling partners got sick with suspected Covid.

After three months more and more countries began closing their borders so she was finally forced to come home. Two weeks of quarantine were the "worst time of (her) life" and she struggled to readjust to life in New Zealand. But both Meg and her mother believe she has gained a great deal of confidence and life experience from her adventure.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The internet allowed connection to continue during lockdown, but for at least one young person, it also proved to be a steppingstone to a new career.

"Obviously you couldn't touch anyone but it was this really strong connection through the digital world."

Along with a lot of other people, Jessy Thurston and Sabrina Findon used social media during the first lockdown to keep up with the news and to stay connected with friends and family.

But they also used it to escape reality, with both positive and negative effects on their mental health.

Sabrina eventually found the courage to use social media to create a new business opportunity that is also an online community. Sabrina and Jessy discovered their skills in media and communication served them well and became the basis for new careers.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Three young expats forced home to New Zealand due to Covid-19 struggle with isolation and having to invent new life plans.

"My dad called me with a sort of end-of-the-world narrative and was just like, it's time to get home."

Eva Wyles gave up a job in media in New York to return home to New Zealand. During lockdown, she managed to finish writing a novel and found a new life direction.

Findlay Buchanan abandoned his plans of living and travelling in Europe for self-isolation a tiny bach in Northland. He discovered a new passion and a new career as a poet.

Actor Conan Hayes thought he could reinvent himself in Melbourne but when Covid-19 forced him back home to Dunedin he realised he didn't need to leave home to 'live authentically'.

Produced by Emma Houpt and Isabella Austin. End music created and produced by Isabella Austin and her father, Mark Austin.

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While Jessica Dermody was enjoying what felt like "school holidays" during lockdown on her parent's farm, a close relative committed suicide.

Where to get help:

• NZ Police
• Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support: 0800 842 846
• Rape Crisis: 0800 883 300
• Rape Prevention Education
• Empowerment Trust
• HELP Call 24/7 (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655 - 0
• Safe to talk: a 24/7 confidential helpline for survivors, support people and those with harmful sexual behaviour: 0800 044 334
• Mosaic - Tiaki Tangata Peer support for males who have experienced trauma and sexual abuse: 0800 942 294
• Women's Refuge: 0800 733 843
• It's Not OK: 0800 456 450
• Shine: 0508 744 633
• Victim Support: 0800 650 654
• HELP Call 24/7 (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): be 04 801 6655 - 0
• The National Network of Family Violence Services NZ has information on specialist family violence agencies.
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
• Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Covid-19 drives a young producer from her dream job in an L.A. music studio to lockdown in a tiny caravan in Whitianga.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It's not a great time to be young right now. But has Covid crushed what was left of our dreams? Yeah. Nah.

"I was telling everyone that there was no way I was coming home, and by the time I'd finished work that evening I had booked a ticket back to New Zealand."

It's not a great time to be young right now.

You might be straight out of school or uni or training and you just wanna start living your life.

But you've got student loan debt, and because you're new and young, your job doesn't pay much. Your room in the flat you love to hate, is draining way too much money. And buying a house? Honestly, probably not ever going to be on my radar.

The environment is broken. Social media is a blessing and definitely a curse. And everyone keeps repeating the fallacy that it will all be OK if we just work harder. At least they've stopped with the smashed avo on toast line. 

Then Covid-19 comes along, shuts down the world, crashes the economy and kills more than three million people. So far.

No, very politely, it's not a great time to be young. But has Covid crushed what was left of our dreams?

Yeah. Nah.

Generation Covid is a podcast series that asks what it's like to start your adult life during the worst pandemic in a century. 

Made by members of Generation Covid, the series talks about being forced to change life plans, how you cope (and when you don't) staying in touch (at least online) and what happens next.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details