本研究採用深度訪談法，訪談13位參與過澳洲工作假期的年輕人。研究發現，參與者之參與動機各有不同，將其分成四類：「漂鳥者」之動機係為了體驗更多元的人生，期許國外的生活經驗能增強自己的視野與生活技能，由於從小即獨立成長，他們在澳洲會主動尋找不同的工作機會，也充分的體驗了澳洲的文化及生活，獲利最為豐富。「語言學習者」至澳洲初期，多前往語言學校學習英語一段時間，但其主要動機其實也是想體驗國外的生活，雖然經歷了許多辛苦，仍然覺得相當值得。「掏金者」的家庭經濟狀況並不好，當知曉澳洲工資頗高，即對前往澳洲打工充滿興趣，他們到澳洲係以賺錢為主要目的，尋找收入最高，但亦最危險艱難的工作，將大部分的時間投入工作中。「夢碎者」從小受到父母親良好的保護，他們認為到澳洲當背包客會是一種美好而特別的旅遊體驗，但因無法承受國外生活的孤獨與寂寞，以及尋找工作的困難及辛苦，認為自己原本的夢想並不是到澳洲當「台勞」，短時間即夢碎回到台灣。四種類型的參與者，其動機、參與歷程、與參與後所獲得之利益均有所不同。
This study chose Australia’s working holidays as the case of study. The data were gathered by 13 qualitative in-depth interviews. We found, according to their different motivation, there are 4 types of Taiwanese working holiday makers in Australia. “Migrant Birds” go to Australia mainly hope to experience multiple life styles and wish their overseas life experiences could open their eyeshot and enhance life skills. Most of them are independently since their childhood and this make them actively trying different work opportunities as well as traveling as real backpackers. They have experienced the Australian culture and life style adequately and they do get a lot of feedbacks. Most “English-learning Pursuers” have studied in English learning schools for a short period of time, although their main motivation also is to experience different life styles in Australia. They have undergone a lot of pains and difficulties; nevertheless, they still felt it is quite worth to be working holiday makers. Many “Money-Makers” were born in an economic-poor family and they make living themselves since they were young. After realizing the salary is much higher in Australia than in Taiwan, they were interested in going to Australia and their main motive is to make money. They take most of their time in jobs, finding the highest income, but the most dangerous jobs. “Disappointers” are well-protected by their parents since they were child, they thought to be a backpacker in Australia will be a special record in their life. However, they could not bear the difficulties of lonely life, hard works, and looks like a Taiwanese fatigue. Their wonderful dream was broken and they come back to Taiwan in a short time. We found the motivations, sequences, and feedbacks of the 4 different types working holiday makers are significantly different.
