Living semi-permanently
in another country studying or working is often a good way to really experience
another culture. However we do encourage all travellers to consider whether the
job they require would be of more benefit to a native person of a country with
high unemployment. If you have advice or a job placement, please email us with
your information at info@backpackglobe.com
WORKING
A work permit or visa is required anywhere you work outside your home country.
And you will need to check the individual requirements for doing so (see below).
For example in the European Union (EU) countries anyone with an EU passport may
work although you still need to apply for a local work permit. These can usually
be obtained at the main police station where you are living. Once you have the
required permits you will also need an employment number from the tax office.
If you do not have an EU passport, it is not too difficult to find work outside
of legal channels. Try looking for English teaching or work for a small business.
The only problem is that most jobs will involve some knowledge of the local language.
The best place for English speaking travellers to find work is in the tourism
industry where knowledge of English is often more important than the local lingo.
For those that are self-employed, visas and passports present no problem. Take
the tools for your trade (such as mobile phone, laptop etc) and don't tell the
immigration authorities that you are working.
It might sound romantic but
picking olives and grapes in Greece, France or Italy does not have financial remuneration.
Nor does teaching English in poor Asian countries. Jobs like fruit picking are
usually taken by immigrants and payment is usually made in kind. However accommodation
and food can sometimes be provided free and it can be an interesting experience
if you are not seeking monetary gain.
Hostels around the world are sometimes
in need of English speaking staff, although opportunities outside major cities
are rare. Big cities are the best place to secure this kind of work at the start
of the backpacker season (usually Spring unless winter is the prime season).
Cafes
and restaurants in larger cities may also pick up non-local staff during their
busy periods. Most large cities have English publications that contain jobs for
English speakers and ex-patriates. For example Wanted in Rome (Rome) for teaching
English, nannying and café/bar work.
VOLUNTARY WORK AND AID WORK
If you are interested in voluntary work
there are always options. Aid work is something
you can do both as a volunteer or more professionally
although positions can be difficult to find.
In third world countries you can volunteer
in a lot of schools, orphanages and health
centres. One of the more famous is Mother
Teresa's Sisters of Charity in Calcutta,
India.
Usually you have to find your own way there,
but sometimes you can be provided with food
and accomodation.
Australian Aid Industry Consultant Tom Sizer
provides some useful information here
for finding work in the field.
LONG-TERM
ACCOMODATION
How do I find long term accomodation?
Here are some hints:
- budget enough money to stay in a hostel
for 1-2 weeks if you don't find anything
more permanent sooner
- add to your budget that you may need bond
money once you find a place.
- check university bulletin boards and newsletters
that may feature cheap student accommodation,
shared housing etc
- see advertisements in local newspapers
- walk the streets and talk to people. Let
it be known what you are looking for.
- some boarding schools offer accommodation
in return or a few hours helping out at
the school either in the dorm or elsewhere.
This may limit your night hours however.
- look into exchanging housing. There are
web sites and agencies that help organise
this. Search our bulletin boards or leaving
your own posting.
- some hostels may discount your lodging
for long term stays or you may be able to
work for your accommodation. Other hostels
refuse stays of longer than several days.
Check our discussion boards and job pages
for listings.
- some cities have cheap workers dorms
- go to the local housing agency
- join a house sitting organisation or check
our bulletin boards for house sitting opportunities.
There are usually requirements to fill,
age is a big one
STUDYING
Many Canadian and American universities offer credit for semesters studied abroad.
Here are some examples:
Istituto Europeo Study Abroad Program - offers
semester and summer programs in language, arts, and humanities, with transferable
college credits. http://www.studyabroad-ie.com
USEFUL
LITERATURE Try searching through the Amazon.com
online store for good books on working abroad. For example try: “Everything
You Need to Know to Fulfill Your Dreams of Living Abroad” (by Travis Neighbor,
Monica Larner).
