So, you want to travel the world but your bank account is totally killing your vibe. What can you do? Get a second job, wait months before you save enough money, wallow in self-pity... or, you can work abroad. Getting a job abroad is one of the most financially sustainable ways to travel, if not the most. You earn a regular wage, gain valuable skills and can work wherever you want, so how do you do it? There are a few different paths you can take—and none of them require a Bachelor's degree or years of experience.
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#1 Teach English
If experiencing different countries around the world, meeting new people, making new friends and earning lots of money sounds appealing to you, consider teaching English overseas. Many schools, especially around Southeast Asia, ask only one requirement: that you speak English. If you want more perks like a higher wage, a better school, return airfare and accommodation, you'll need a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate. Plenty of TEFL companies like The TEFL Academy and Teachaway offer online and in-class courses, which take an average of one to four months to complete.
#2 Get a working holiday visa
Working holiday visas allow people under 30 (or 35 if you're from a select few countries) to work and live abroad. Most of the countries that offer working holiday programs are English-speaking countries such as England, New Zealand, Canada and Australia. The visa application process is pretty simple and relatively inexpensive. Visas last one or two years. Most of the working holiday jobs you'll find are service-oriented (waiters, bartenders and retail workers), office jobs or labor work, but there are a few higher-paying gems, like public relations and personal assistants, available too.
#3 Do freelance work online
If you have a background in writing, translation, web design, logo design, programming, social media marketing or a host of other creative jobs, there's a good chance that you can do your work online from anywhere in the world. Websites like Upwork are a great way to get started and can help you find online jobs while you travel. If you don't already have experience in tech, marketing or writing, you can still create a profile and start searching for jobs like virtual assistants, data entry clerks and researchers.
#4 Become a scuba diving instructor
Okay, you can't just become a scuba diving instructor with no experience, but you can learn how to be one and then get a job doing it abroad. There are dozens of scuba destinations around the world (like Thailand, Bali and Honduras) that will take you from novice diver to divemaster in a matter of months. Once you have your certification, getting a job can be as easy as just asking around.
#5 Be a tour guide
Tour companies are always on the lookout for new guides, and if you don't mind living out of a suitcase, this job could be for you. Tour guides often have to agree to long-term commitments, meaning you'll be on the road for a while. And while the pay isn't great, you get all (or most) expenses paid for while on the road. Check out tour companies like Kiwi Experience, Busabout and Contiki for openings.
