If you haven’t traveled abroad much and want to, or if you’re like me and after spending a semester abroad know you need to come back, then you might be wondering how you could make this travel dream a reality before jumping into the real working world. And while it’s easy to say you want to travel the world, it may not always be the easiest economically, especially at a time when society expects you to become financially independent. So, here are some ways that might make travelling abroad cheaper and also a more enriching experience:
1. Teach English
Many countries offer Americans jobs in teaching English. These jobs provide income and the working visa to let you stay there for a while. Many English teaching positions with the best pay are located in Asia or the Middle East, but you can find positions all over the world in many European and Latin American countries. Many countries, like Spain, have governmental sponsored teaching positions. However, there are many other organizations, like CIEE, or others that offer English teaching positions for several months or even for a year or two. However, note that some teaching programs may require TEFL certification.
Francisco Andrade, UNC 2012, has been teaching English in Japan through the JET Programme since he graduated.
“I enjoy living here,” Andrade said. “It’s a chance to learn about a culture very different from Western culture. It’s really a rewarding experience being a teacher, and I also love the many chances for travel.”
2. Work or Intern Abroad
BUNAC offers a variety of opportunities for working or interning abroad. Through this organization, US citizens can work in Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Ireland or can intern in a variety of locations all over the world. BUNAC helps you apply for a visa and also provides job and accommodation support. The website Working Traveller also lists many different job postings all over the world that you could take part in. For example, you could work at a Backpacker Resort in the Swiss Alps or as a worker and teacher in Okayama, Japan. You may also check out www.helpx.net and www.workaway.info for more job postings around the world. Additionally, some companies and organizations have work and internship opportunities abroad, particularly for postgrads.
3. Volunteer Abroad
Volunteering through an organization like the Peace Corps or something similar is also another great way to travel cheaply and more intimately with a country. Aside from the Peace Corps, there are many other organizations that offer similar work. Many churches have a variety of programs that involve volunteer work abroad as well, like the United Methodist Church and others.
Since graduation, Elly Withers, UNC class of 2015, has been living and volunteering through the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) through the Episcopal Church.
“Volunteering abroad in Panama with a nonprofit run by Panamanians has been a hands-on experience that has allowed me to put all of my knowledge that I have learned at UNC to the test,” said Withers. “I have only been here for three months and already I have visited over 10 different indigenous and rural communities, helped lead three different farming workshops, and I am in the process of creating a vegetable and fruit stand with other farmers in the rural community where I am now living.”
If you want to read more about Withers’ experiences volunteering in Panama, you can check out her blog here.
4. Become an Au pair
Families all over the world are looking for au pairs to help them out in the home as well as give their kids a rich cultural experience. If you like kids, this could be a great way to travel cheaply, as host families provide housing as well as income (and they sometimes even pay for your plane tickets). If this is something you might want to do, there are a ton of different websites, like AuPairWorld, that can help match you up with a family and make sure that you are getting the pay and benefits that you need.
5. Help out on a Farm
WWOOF, an organization that connects people with farmers looking for volunteers, has been becoming more popular among travelers. WWOOF is not only a great way to travel cheaply, as the hosts offer food and accommodation in return for volunteer work, but it’s a great way to interact with the locals and see the less touristy side of a place.
6. Embark on a Long Distance Hike
For example, the famous Camino de Santiago in Spain is a cheap way to see the northern part of the Spain for an extended period of time, as most of the accommodations and meals are very cheap for the pilgrims on the route, as long as they have their pilgrims passports.
Of course these are just some of the many options you have for making your dream of extended travel a reality. With options like these, travel becomes financially easier and arguably more enriching as well. So what are you waiting for? Start looking at your options and make your dream a reality!
Photos by: 1.villanova.edu, files.peacecorps.gov, fledgingcrow.com
Have you travelled abroad for an extended period of time after graduation? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!