7 CHARACTERS WORKING ABROAD & HOW THEY DID IT

So you want to work abroad?
& who wouldn't?! This is the first thought to the incredible journey that comes with living and working in a foreign country. I honestly can't express enough just how life changing this experience can be, nor how easily it can be achieved. WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY. Since first deciding to pack my things and begin the daunting search on how to get hired abroad, It's come to light how many options one actually has. We're lucky to be living in a time where the worlds industries are no longer separated by sea and there's a huge push to globalize almost everything. With so many resources on the net, and the easy access of being able to search the job boards overseas as if you were right there scanning the local news paper- There's really been no better time to get moving. Having lived and worked so far in four different countries (including my own) I've uncovered and encountered roughly seven different roles and types of people you'll come across. Here's my list of the basic who's why's how's and where's of these characters.

THE ENGLISH TEACHER  Normally bunking in with a bunch of fellow travel-seeking teachers. You’ll hear them boast, relish, moan and groan about the joys, challenges and frustrations that come with teaching someone a foreign language. You don’t have to be fluent in your chosen countries language & simple knowledge of the basics will get you by. The path to teacher-success begins with completing a language teaching course. The most widely recognized providers of said course is TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language) or TEOSL (Teaching English to speakers of another language) Both qualifications can be obtained either online at your own pace spanning over a 6-12 week window OR by attending the hands on weekend course typically on offer at your local TAFE. These courses start at around $250 AUD and will see you qualified and on the job hunt in no time. Keep in mind, unless working through a package program not all positions will include transport abroad or a place to stay.

THE STUDENT  You'll find the future of our globe speckled all around the world lapping up life abroad while still 'achieving something' in the eyes of the it’s-well-and-good-to-travel-but-what-will-you-do-after’s. If you’re currently working through your degree, most, if not all Australian UNIs offer wonderful exchange programs all over the world. Live like a local student and experience everything your chosen country has to offer. Programs include language immersion classes and you won’t need to interrupt your study to see the world! Alternatively one can apply as an international student directly to the UNI / College of your choice & hit up your whole degree abroad – though this option is not for those without a pretty heavy piggy bank.. or ten.

THE AUPAIR Scattered around the globe you’ll find a bunch of drank too much, played too hard cases of the overworked and underpaid aupair. This job comes with some pretty wonderful territory and in most cases the pros outweigh the cons. Having been an aupair & had many friends follow suite it makes me giggle how many times I’ve heard the words ‘never again’ out of the aupair’s mouth only to hear they gave in & are once again based in a new city with a kick-ass gig. (Myself included) Don’t be fooled! It’s not all playdates, potties and playdough. Aupairs know how to party and as the work hours are typically only around 35pw you’ll have plenty of down time to hit the road and go exploring. These characters range anywhere from the childcare enthusiast, the uni-grad looking for an epic way to mark their completion or the travel-seeker brazen enough to head abroad & rock someone elses kid having never changed a diaper in their life. The major benefits (other than the little smiling faces) are free rent, food and if you’re lucky.. free travel.

THE TICK BEHIND THE TOURISM INDUSTRY  This lot ranges anywhere from those sailing the sea with a cruise line, the inner workings of the top hotels to the party-going-you-call-this-work? staff of your local hostel. Some less-secured positions within the industry include travel guides, adventure sports, promotional staff and reps. Unless you know where to look or who to ask – these aren’t typically roles you’ll just stumble upon. * Keep an eye out soon for a much more in depth look into obtaining a tourism job abroad.

THE BACKPACKER THAT NEVER WENT HOME You’ll typically come across this kind working for rent in the hostel they checked into over six months ago, running tours for tips in the city they can’t bear to leave or just plain lost & wandering. I came across my first extreme case of the over travelled in Barcelona when I met Tim. I learned a lot about Tim prior to ever seeing his face- He frequented the plaza outside my hostel and at around 8 or 9pm he’d start his nightly rant. Yelling for his mum, his passport, some food, money or for someone to notice him. It became pretty clear he’d lost all of these things and somewhere along the line, his mind. Tim made regular appearances in my hostel dorm when the staff periodically let him in to crash on the floor. I often think of you Tim. Where in the world did you end up? TIM  Last seen: being driven away in the back of a cop car off Las Ramblas, Barcelona.

THE EXPAT & CO This includes the working professional and their entourage. The group may include partners, parents, nannies, maids or the rd culture kids who were born, raised and schooled in a number of different countries- Feeling at home a little everywhere & a lot of nowhere, these kids have had experiences like no other and tend to be far more mature than your everyday school-goer. (When the day comes to create & raise my own, this is an experience I hope to provide). Expats come from all walks of life & span over countless industries. Positions are open first and foremost to those with a specialized degree. On offer through in-house promotions and relocations through major companies. Some of the leading industries posting expats out here there and everywhere are FINANCE, INSURANCE & OIL COMPANIES. Generally shipped off with an expat package you’ll find them frequenting the local bar whinging over wine about all things different & ‘wrong’ with the country. *AHEM –you’re-in-another-country-expect-things-to-be-different. Living amidst customs not your own and conversing over a language your trying to learn does bring with it an array of various challenges. From things as small as being unable to purchase self-raising flour to make cakes (What’s the go Holland?) or having to navigate and source out all new brands of the everyday items. We take for granted the ease of zipping around the supermarket & filling your cart with your usual shopping list. The simplicity of scanning the shelf, locating the label & grabbing the detergent that makes your clothes feel like cotton-wonder-hugs, is something one will NEVER appreciate until lived abroad.

THE SNOW BUNNY If strapping on a pair of skiis & getting paid to hit the slopes sounds like a dream come true- look no further than one of the many ski villages around the world. Mountains lined with the thrill seeking travelbug all over the world are the perfect place to work where you play. Jobs range anywhere from qualified instructors to lift operators and many inbetween. The gig will generally come with housing, food and an all access skipass.

There you have it.
Hopefully I’ve managed to spark a little interest, manifest some motivation & shed some light on the base information when considering your options. For anyone determined enough to make it happen - it really is a dream within reach. If you’d like some more info or direct links to some of the services or ways I’ve found positions feel free to get in touch for some one on one advice thislittlenomad@gmail.com 

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