Many people sometimes spend years saving up for an around the world ticket and enough dollar to fund them for months on end. However if you're a little impatient like me, and want to get away sooner rather than later, then working abroad can be the best way to see the world.
For me, the past year has been a working-travelling-working-travelling pattern, simply saving enough money to fund my flight tickets and adventures. I've loved every second of it. It's allowed me to travel each country in depth, stress less about money, and working sometimes shitty jobs makes me appreciate each trip a lot more.
So here are my top eight ways to get you around the world:
1. Tefl
Teaching English as a foreign language qualification could be perfect for you. It allows you to earn a good amount amount of money whilst living in a brand new culture. Dependent on your contract, you could take trips away to other countries during school holidays. A minimum 120 hour course is recommended and ones that include residential courses too gives you a good experience. I used the Tefl Academy, but there are heaps of different ones out there.
My friends Heather has had three different TEFL jobs around Asia and explains how teaching overseas allows you to transplant yourself into a completely different culture.
'Travelling is fun, but interacting on a daily basis is so much more exciting'
'It may seem like a big jump from traveling for a month to living overseas for a year, but it flies by. Since I've started teaching I've been to ten new countries and lived in three. You're not stuck in the country you're living in and it's a hell of a lot closer and cheaper to fly to Taipei for a weekend than it is from home. Teaching English is a gift for us native speakers. We speak what's becoming the lingua franca; we're in demand'
Heather gives a little straight to the point piece of advice, which I 100% agree with:
'Stop complaining that you can't find a well-paying job at home. Or that life is so boring after university. Or that you wish you could get out of your hometown. Do your research, make the necessary preparations, and go'.
Preach it sister.
2. Hospitality in Australia
In Melbourne especially, there are loadddds of jobs within hospitality. It was a bit weird at first earning double as a pot washer than as a teacher, but seeing that first pay check I really didn't care. And now of course I have a new found love for pot washing.
3. Farm work
Sounds grim, probably is grim and something I don't really want to do, but it can give you time to save money for future travels. In Australia, It could also count towards your 3 month regional, giving you a second year visa!
4. Au pairing
Being paid to babysit in a brand new culture sounds ideal and gives you the opportunity to live in a new country and earn money. It's on my to do list.
5. Ski season
My best friend Sophie completed one on Mount Buller in Victoria, Australia last year and she's applying again this year. She loved it and got to save enough money to buy a car and travel up the coast. Though I can't ski (apparently this doesn't matter) I may be applying for one with her this year, as there's potential to earn money to travel the Australian East coast with!
'Ski seasons allow you to have a good amount of work to earn heaps, but also have fun at the same time! It makes no difference if you're a pro skier or someone who's never seen a snow flake fall... it's the best experience - especially if you're looking to earn while you travel!'
6. Use your skills!
If you've got a special talent... share it! Maybe you're sick at origami, or maybe you've got some sort of flare for flower arranging. Put an ad on gumtree to offer lessons/services! There maybe someone out there who wants to learn your skills... you never know!
7. House sitting
My Melbourne housemates lived with a family in Brisbane and stayed rent free, occasionally baby-sitting and cleaning. Though they didn't get paid, but they had a roof over their head and it's a great chance to see a new place if you're lacking in money.
8. Board and keep
Many people work in hostels in exchange for a bed to sleep in and food. Though for me, this seems a bit of a rip off if you're working more than 15 hours a week, it is always an option if you're looking for a more stress-free way of life.
There's so many weird and wonderful jobs around the world, and perfect if you want more money security whilst on your travels. So don't waste time, GET SEARCHING.
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