- Can it be done?
- What Type Of Work Can I Do On The Road?
- I Is No Good At English. What Else Can I Do?
- I’ve Heard About Working “Under The Table.” What’s That About?
- What About Working In Hostels? Is That Possible?
- A Friend Of Mine Worked On A Farm In New Zealand. Can I Do That?
- That Doesn’t Sound Like Much Fun. What’s With This WWOOF’ing Thing I keep Hearing About?
Can it be done?
Yes, it definitely can be done, but in some cases it might not really be worth it. This is a huge subject and there has been a lot written about it including various threads on our message boards and even a feature article highlighting 12 of the Best Jobs that Combine Work and Travel. There are tons of different options for working while you are traveling. This can extend your trip or just give you a higher budget to work with. Plus you get the opportunity to live in and experience a new culture.
What Type Of Work Can I Do On The Road?
Many people set out on long-term travel and then stop in one place for a long time while working there. Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is the easiest and most common job one can acquire in a foreign country. Many travelers are spread out all over the world doing it right now. Some stay in a place for a few months and others spend years in one place.
I Is No Good At English. What Else Can I Do?
Most RTW travelers are more interested in picking up a bit of work for a couple days up to a couple of months in order to fund the next segment of their journey. If you are between the ages of 18 and 25 (or 30 in some cases), there are programs set up where you can get temporary jobs in certain countries with certain restrictions. Citizens of Commonwealth countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have it easier working in other member nations. There are programs set up Americans can take advantage of, but they are more limited.
I’ve Heard About Working “Under The Table.” What’s That About?
Many people don’t even want to bother with any official and restricted program. In some areas it’s not too difficult to get temporary work “off the books.” The most popular jobs in this form are as bartenders and waiting tables. If you’ve got experience at this back home you might be able to find a place that will take you on temporarily for off-the-books cash payment. Most bars and restaurants maintain a stable local staff, but finding places that will employ travelers is not impossible if you look around. Irish pubs in any city are usually a great source of information if not for actual jobs themselves. For specific tips on this, check out our message boards.
What About Working In Hostels? Is That Possible?
Absolutely! It’s a great opportunity for travelers. Quite a few hostels will employ travelers as a major part of their day-to-day staffing. This sort of work is not too difficult to get, but the pay tends to be a certain number of hours in exchange for a free dorm bed and often meals. This can help cut the cost of staying in one place for a while, but obviously won’t be much help in saving up money for future exploits.
A Friend Of Mine Worked On A Farm In New Zealand. Can I Do That?
Other travelers have reported being able to pick up construction or agriculture (picking fruit etc.) work while on the road. But unless you’ve got a special skill this means you’ll be competing with the bottom levels of the local labor pools. In other words, you’d likely be working long hours for limited pay, and if that’s the situation, you have to ask yourself if there is any point in doing it at all. In order to save up much money you’d have to live the most frugal imaginable lifestyle while working. It might make more sense to delay your trip for another few months while you have a reasonable job at home and save up more money that way. But some people definitely do this, and to them it’s worth it.
That Doesn’t Sound Like Much Fun. What’s With This WWOOF’ing Thing I keep Hearing About?
WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is another way to stem the flow of outgoing cash. In return for volunteering to work on an organic farm, you will receive room and board. You won’t be making any money, but you won’t be spending a whole lot either. It’s also a great way to meet people and experience a part of a country definitely off-the-beaten-path. Opportunities exist worldwide.
While these are all great ways to make a few extra bucks on the road, if you want to make a real living while also living or traveling abroad, find out more about being a location independent professional.
For more in depth information about working while on the road, complete with checklist, be sure to check out this article!
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