First of all, let’s discuss why to get a job abroad, since many of you probably feel that it would detract from the vacation vibe. Well, I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a Grinngotts account filled with gold. I have some savings and I am consciously trying to horde every extra penny for this trip, but eventually that money will run out. What happens then? You basically have two options: get a job, or go home. There is no worse buzzkill for a life-changing trip than having to cut it short because you didn’t budget well enough. I simply refuse to let that happen.
While daydreaming at my desk today, I started to make a mental list of all the jobs I could have while traveling.
- English Teacher
- Divemaster
- Server/Bartender
- Barista
- WWOOFing
- Marketing Consultant
- eCommerce Consultant
- House Sitter
Sure, all these jobs come with relatively low stress levels, flexible hours, and have some great perks, but when all is said and done they are still jobs and they don’t grow on trees (at least not in the US). How does one go about finding and securing a job abroad? I decided to find out.
Teach English
Teaching English is the go-to job for most American travelers. Lost college grads flock to South East Asia to teach English as a way to delay entry into the real world. What’s so wrong with that? In South Korea, with a TEFL certification, you can make up to $3000 a month and your room and board will be paid for. I have read stories of people who spent a year teaching English and used the money they had saved to travel for up to two additional years. Why isn’t EVERYONE doing this? Start here. Though a TEFL certification is not necessary, it is looked upon fondly and will bump you into a higher pay bracke. i-to-i is the cheapest and best option out there, in my opinion.
Teach Scuba Lessons
This one requires a bit of early preparation. To become a Divemaster, you must go through several rounds of PADI certifications and have 40 logged dives. Certifications can be expensive. I started doing a cost analysis for learning in Seattle, and found it to be about $2000 in classes, plus the cost of rental equipment for each of the 40 dives. It is likely that it would cost a lot less to get your Divemaster certification in a less expensive country, such as Thailand, but I haven’t been able to pinpoint exact costs. Due to the initial investment, for me, scuba will probably be a recreational activity and not a job, unfortunately.
Hospitality Jobs
I have worked in hospitality for most of my life. My first job was at a fast food restaurant. I have hosted, served, and been a barista too many times to count. I think it comes back to my love for food. There is just something about working in a restaurant and interacting with people from all over, while they enjoy the food and experience they are having. In most countries, you can work in bars, restaurants, resorts, hostels and cafes without a work visa. Often the best way to find these jobs is by simply asking. You go to the same cafe for breakfast every morning and you notice the owner is doing everything and seems overwhelmed. Ask if you can help out for a few dollars an hour. Most people are happy to have the help.
WWOOFing
I didn’t know much about WWOOFing when I first started researching jobs for travelers. I had heard stories of people who volunteered on farms abroad, but never knew about the overarching organization itself. WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, though not all the opportunities you will find involve farming. The jobs range from planting and harvesting crops, to tending to animals, and helping out around the house. Generally, it is asked that you volunteer about 5 hours a day and your room and board will be taken care of. To find out about opportunities on organic farms in your destination of choice, you will have to pay to be a member of the WWOOFing community in that country. Unfortunately, there is not World Membership option. If you are going to volunteer in multiple countries, you will have to pay the membership fee for each one, generally around $20-$30 USD.
Consulting
Many people don’t realize that consulting is an option for them. Are you a social media guru? Do you have a Google AdWords certification? Do you manage your own ecommerce business or Shopify storefront? If you do, you are miles ahead of the small business owners in most countries and even in the US. Small to medium sized businesses don’t generally have marketing budgets, or if they do, they are quite small. These people rely only on world of mouth to bring in new customers. What if you could offer them your services for a nominal fee, and you would create and manage their Facebook and Yelp accounts. For a couple hours of your time, you could help a small business go from surviving to thriving with the help of the internet, while making a few bucks. Millennials, changing the world one tweet at a time.
House Sitting
I knew that I needed to write about house sitting, but I struggled with deciding whether to classify it as a job or an accommodation. I guess it is technically both. There are a number of websites dedicated to helping travelers find house sitters and house sitting opportunities. My favorite is House Carers because the community is one of the largest and it is used widely around the globe. The responsibilities range from simply making sure the house is safe, to taking care of pets and farm animals, to gardening and maintenance. The perks though… You get to stay in a house! There are generally beds, with clean sheets! Most have kitchens that you can use to cook your own meals to save even more money. Accommodations are my second largest cost while traveling after food, and having the opportunity to stay for free, generally for longer periods of time, is one that can not be passed up. The full membership on House Carers is $50 a year, but I don’t think it is necessary to upgrade to that option. I use the free membership and have no problem finding opportunities worldwide.
