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