Working Worldwide

Working abroad is a great option if you desperately want to go overseas, can’t really afford it and the money you have managed to save won’t cover much more than air fare.

It’s one of the best ways to experience a different culture; you’ll be meeting locals and experiencing what the country is really like in a way that you can’t do as a traveller passing through. Most jobs give you enough spare time, in the evenings and at weekends, to enjoy yourself and make friends.

You don’t have to be tied to one place for your whole gap-year – you can work for a bit and save up for your travels. That way you can learn more about the place and get the inside information from the locals about the best places to see before you set off.

You cover at least some of your costs, and, depending on what you do, the work experience will look good on your CV – but even if you’re only doing unskilled seasonal work, prospective employers will be reassured that you at least know something about the basics like punctuality, fitting into an organisation and managing your time.

The most popular jobs that gappers look for include au pairing, teaching english as a foreign language (TEFL), cooking and household help and seasonal work that might include fruit picking or farm work. An internship with pay is a also good way to get work experience if you already have an idea about your eventual career.