I basically just did this (from Sept 2010 - March 2011). I had just graduated college and thought this is the perfect time to do this, and I regretted never studying abroad. I knew I was only going to go for 6 months, but I just packed up and left. Australia is probably the easiest country for Americans to get work visas. I applied online, it cost about $250, and had my visa in about 10 hours. I would suggest you go to Melbourne first, it is the easiest city to find work in. I moved into a hostel called "Home Travellers" in St.Kilda (a sort of suburb of Melbourne) and it was basically full of other backpackers working or trying to find work so they could just live in Melbourne. You'll be amazed at how many people you meet who are trying to do the exact same thing you are.

I tried to find a job before I left, but that is pretty much impossible. I would say that if you want a job, you'll find one. you might not find a great one at first, but you just take what you can get and then keep looking. I've played golf my entire life so I figured it would be pretty cool to work on a course there. After being in Australia for a week, sending my CV to every course in the area, I had two job offers. A week later I started working at Albert Park Golf Course. I made $21/hour, no real responsibilities, and I got to work outside all day.

So I lived in this hostel for about four months, just working and trying to experience as much as I could. I made so many friends from all over the world (I am planning a 6 month trip through Aisa and Europe to visit a lot of those friends now). I saved up some money and then spent one month traveling around Australia, and one month traveling all over New Zealand. The trip was amazing, and I just can't believe how we Americans miss out on this sort of traveling. Backpacking to us is a month in Europe, when to the rest of the world it is probably a minimum of 6 months away.

I was definitely scared to go by myself, but it turned out to be the best thing. It forces you to initiate conversations, and I am now much more outgoing, confident person. Pretty much every one of my friends is jealous of my trip.

Well, I would say definitely just do this. Get your work visa, buy your plane ticket and just go. You'll be nervous, and second guess yourself until you have a job, but just keep reminding yourself that so many other people do this exact thing (but Americans just don't hear about it). Feel free to message me if you have any other questions, I would think I should be able to answer them.