Whistle While You Work: Ways to Earn Money While Traveling
You might be thinking of taking a career break, but going traveling doesn’t always mean you have to give up on the idea of work altogether. Often a great way to meet people, dip your toes into new career opportunities, and of course, fund your trip, there are many reasons to consider working while you are abroad.
Whether you’re off to explore Europe, Africa or Asia, consider the following options for working on the road:
A Teaching Job
A lot of people assume that to be able to teach abroad, you need to have teaching experience at home. However, this is a myth! Thanks to an ever increasing demand for English speakers abroad, you can learn to teach English with a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. No previous experience is required: anyone who is a native English speaker can do it. In addition to being quite fulfilling, a teaching job while traveling could even lead to a new path in life. More importantly, it can be something you can pick up wherever you are!
TeacherHit.com focuses solely on teaching English in Europe. Though the most well-known opportunities seem to be in Asia, Europe is also a great spot for teachers.
A Social Job
If you’re more of a social butterfly, or are more interested in using traveling as a way of meeting new people, try finding a job tending bar or waiting tables. Although this type of job might mean becoming a bit of a night owl, it can free up your days for exploring the surrounding area. The great thing about bar or restaurant work is that it’s fairly easy to pick up and is always in demand – all you’ll need is enthusiasm, basic math and a friendly manner!
An Outdoor Job
If you’d prefer to earn money while enjoying some fresh air and exercise, there are plenty of opportunities for labor work abroad. This doesn’t necessarily mean anything too challenging; agricultural jobs can range from fruit picking, to peeling or even just packing. With farm owners constantly requiring people to help out, this type of job can even be quite lucrative. What better way to enjoy life in the great outdoors?
If you’re thinking of ways to make your money go further while abroad, another good tip is to look for discounted flights or accommodation; with a quick search you can easily find free vouchers for Hotels.com or other travel companies. Alternatively, looking for a job overseas needn’t mean you have to sacrifice time spent enjoying yourself – in fact, it could end up enhancing your travel experience!
This has been a guest post by Nikki Gilliland.
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
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G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.