Working Overseas
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From caring for orangutans in Borneo to renovating a monastery in Umbria, there are many options for young Australians looking to combine work and play while travelling overseas. Although there’s usually no such thing as a free holiday, you will certainly be able to subsidise the cost of your adventures by doing the odd bit of graft.
But before you start stuffing your socks and undies into your backpack, it’s probably worth thinking about what kind of work you are actually prepared to do and where in the world you'd like to go.
For example, for those who have an aversion to picking up dog poo, then walking dogs in New York is not the answer. If, however, you are a gregarious night owl then perhaps working in the hospitality industry is the go.
The good news is: you don’t have to be a 'cocktail weenie'
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to get a job pulling pints. Antipodeans have a long and colourful history of gravitating towards London, which is the perfect jumping-off point from which to explore Europe. And what better way to fund your adventures then to be stationed behind a bar where you get to meet everyone from locals to likeminded travellers.
There are loads of websites dedicated to helping you land a job well before you touch down in Heathrow. But what if a live-in job at a london pub over the northern winter sends chills up your spine? Well, perhaps the Flying Pig Pub in Piraeus is more up your avenue; the Athens pub is now looking for female bartenders and so, if you’re quick off the mark, you could be mooching about in the Mediterranean in no time.
Another great option for those heading abroad is to teach English as a foreign language.
According to i-to-i marketing coordinator Clem Robin, i-to-i’s TEFL programs provide travellers with “the perfect way to meet people, immerse yourself in new cultures and make a difference overseas”.
“If you want to explore the globe, a TEFL qualification is a great option,” says Robin.
“People go to all corners of the world after doing a TEFL course. We get a lot of feedback from people who have done a TEFL course and decided that earning money while they travel is really the way to go,” he says.
Robin says Japan is now the No. 1 destination for Australian TEFL-qualified travellers because of the remuneration benefits. But he says the Czech Republic, South Korea, Ecuador and Indonesia are also popular.
“If you want to earn a lot of money then Asia is your best option. Alternatively you could opt to work in a little village school in the Amazon and really make a difference,” Robin says.
Robin advises those interested in undertaking a TEFL course to find out if teaching English abroad is the right choice for them by completing the i-to-I online quiz.
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If all of the above sounds like way too much work … then what about being paid to do something you are passionate about? Enthusiastic individuals with advanced skiing or snowboarding ability are invited to undertake an instructor training course at the International Academy.
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Of course, if you want to get a head-start on your beanie-clad competition and practise schussing down the slopes before you depart then start by spending a season a bit closer to home in
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Perisher.
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Receiving a qualification to be a ski or snowboard instructor will then help you find a job in resorts that boast some of the best skiing in the world such as:
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and Wanaka in New Zealand.
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Major perks include: a free lift pass and the opportunity to progress to another level in your preferred sport.
For more information about working overseas, check out:
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- TNT - an e-zine which has long been a bible for Australian Backpackers bound for Europe.
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- Smart Traveller- the Australian Government's travel advisory and consular assistance service.
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