So as you can imagine since leaving university less than two weeks ago, having moved back into my parents home with a normal job and not many immediate plans my brain begins trailing off to thoughts of sun, sea and adventure and I have in the last week or so thought of pretty much every option available that allows me to escape abroad. I hear so often, people in their normal 9-5 jobs revelling about how much they would love to be somewhere much hotter with a little more sun and a lot more adventure but they either don’t have the funds or simply don’t know where to begin. So, here’s my brief guide to some of the easiest ways in which you can travel and what you can do whilst abroad to fund your journey.
1. Freelance – So this may be the most obvious way of travelling, freely off your own back to whatever country you want for however long you can afford to do so. With no strings attached to work contracts or organisation run trips this is perhaps the best way to travel, however you will need the funds to do so. If like me you don’t have the bank of mum and dad or an inheritance package to fall back on then the best way to do this would be to put up with that 9-5, penny earning job a little longer, then once you’ve saved enough – book that trip of a lifetime, whether it be interrailing, backpacking, an around the world trip or a straight forward move to Aus. Sure, you’ll probably come back penniless (unless you work along the way – see TEFL for example) but when everyone else is talking about the hierarchical business ladder they’ve climbed you’ll be throwing out stories of diving in the Indian Ocean and backpacking Malasian jungles.
2. Volunteer Projects – this has been primarily my method of travel over the last two or three years with organisations such as ICS (International Citizens Service), ISV (International Student Volunteers), VA32 (Africa), Starfish Volunteers (Thailand/Asia), Raleigh International and many more providing led volunteer programmes in destinations all around the world. These types of trips will allow you to simultaneously travel, explore new cultures and make a little difference to those in areas of the world not quite so fortunate as us. Admittedly many, if not most of these programmes are still costly but they are the type of thing you can fundraise towards. ISV was expensive at a cost of £2500 pound but I can personally recommend the organisation and the programme, it has to be the best money I have ever spent. Other programmes like ICS, however, are free to everyone, with the organisation hoping to incite volunteer opportunities to even those from the poorest backgrounds.
http://www.starfishvolunteers.com
http://www.volunteerics.org
http://www.isvolunteers.org
http://www.voices-of-the-world.org
3. University Exchanges – if you’re a student looking to travel, or perhaps live abroad for a short period of time I believe the best and possibly easiest way to do so is with a study abroad programme. Most universities have schemes such as the Erasmus exchange programme that will allow you to study elsewhere, (predominantly in Europe) for either a term or an entire year. What’s even better is that most of these schemes, if your university and tutors are well organised, don’t require much organisation on your part other than choosing where you’d like to go! Living and studying abroad also has so many extra perks – you will gain international friends, likely learn a new language to some extent and gain a wider incite into life outside of England.
Erasmus Exchange site : http://www.erasmusprogramme.com
4. TEFL – teaching English as a foreign language is gradually becoming a more and more popular method of working and travelling, particularly for recent graduates. Admittedly the pay is pretty decent especially in locations such as China or Dubai where a TEFL qualified teacher can earn up to $1500 dollars a month. In addition to that most contracts for TEFL teachers also cover the cost of your accommodation so you are able to retain most of what you earn. This type of work is great in that it allows you to take a contract in one country, earn some pennies, return home to rejuvenate then hop off to your next country and contract when your good and ready. Its certainly not a steady, salary paid job but all you need to do is Google TEFL jobs to know there are jobs all around the world, all year round. One thing I would advice though is to get your TEFL qualification from a body that is recognised and certified – I will be completing mine with a weekend of classroom lessons and an online course next month with the TEFL Academy – check them out online : http://www.theteflacademy.com
5. Au Pair/Nanny positions – after years being a general babysitter for neighbours, colleagues and friends of my parents this option has certainly appealed to me and although its not something I have done myself I have two friends, one who is Au Pairing in Aus and one in America, both whom love their job and the kids whose lives they are involved in. There are many independent jobs that are both REALLY well paid and in beautiful countries for live in Nanny’s and/or English teacher combined through agencies such as Simply Angelic http://www.simplyangelic.co.uk/overseas.php or perhaps through Au Pairing in America or Aus http://www.aupairamerica.co.uk . If you apply to these positions there is usually help right the way through with visa’s, being assigned an appropriate family and booking everything to move. My only extra advice would be to check the requirements of each and every job, some require a native English speakers, others an NVQ in childcare or simply a reference from someone who’s kids you’ve looked after – just make sure you fit the bill before applying!
6. Camp America – once again, something I haven’t done myself but know so many friends who have and who, well, quite frankly have had the summer of their lives and have gone back each and every year for more! If you love kids, are active, outgoing and can teach anything from sport to photography or art, have an interest in signing or are perhaps a qualified lifeguard there is likely a camp position for you. This one’s pretty self explanatory but for more go to http://www.campamerica.co.uk . And, if America doesn’t really appeal to you then why not check out all their partner schemes like GET Australia or Camp Thailand.
7. Cruise Ship – this is one of those great jobs that doesn’t get you abroad to one country but actually allows you to travel constantly and see the world. Positions range from photographer, retail/sales assistant to entertainer. The hours are long but you tend to spend most of your time in the Caribbean somewhere, get to see a large majority of the world (and get off at stops) and the pay isn’t all that bad – with accommodation and food covered you should come back eight months later a lot more travelled with a fair wedge of cash in your back pocket!
http://www.cruiseshipjob.com
http://www.princess.com/employment/index.jsp \
http://www.carnival.com/careers.aspx
8. Holiday Rep – whether your good with kids, love the club 18-30 scene or are super efficient – able to handle 2am airport pick ups, 6 days a week partying and working simultaneously, sunshine and a hefty 300 or 400 guests a week then this is perhaps the job to get you abroad. I have to be honest with this one, some call it the best job in the world, others come back never wanting to work abroad again. I think if you’re the right personality and can handle the long hours then go for it, but you’d have to appreciate the perks of a summer abroad and meeting new people more so than the very average pay. It’s a bit like mustard – you’d either love it or hate it, but hey, it’s 6 months in the sun!
http://careers.thomascook.com
http://tuijobsuk.co.uk/work-at-tui-travel/abroad/thomson-and-first-choice/
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