Creative Ways to Travel, Work, and Live Abroad
Ever since sharing my experience on social media about moving abroad, so many people have reached out questioning how they can do the same. This is one of my favorite questions to get, because I love helping people brainstorm and realize there are so many ways they can achieve their dream life! Sometimes, ya just gotta get creative…
While one of the main ways to move abroad is to obtain a visa to live and work in the country of your choice for a set period of time, that’s only a fraction of the many opportunities out there. Especially if you’re looking for something less “permanent” feeling and more short term, there are so many options for you. Or, if you’re simply looking to explore a new place on a budget, I gotchu!
Let’s get into it…
Volunteer-Based Opportunities
1. Work Away
Work Away is a platform full of unique short-term programs where travelers can experience the world in a volunteer format. Once you create a profile, you can explore through the thousands of opportunities and filter by location or type of work you’re interested in.
Some of the types of work include nannying, teaching english, farm-work, gardening, helping around the house, hospitality (ex. working in a hostel or B&B), and more. You can then apply for these short term opportunities and get connected with your hosts who provide accommodation and food in exchange for work.
You work part time (usually 10-20 hours), so you still get the chance to explore the area you’re in while sticking to your budget!
Website: https://www.workaway.info/
2. WWOOFing (“World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms”)
Interested in getting your hands a little dirty? WWOOF on an organic farm or garden somewhere in the world in exchange for a place to stay. This is an educational and cultural based experience designed to get you involved in sustainable living, learn essential farming or gardening skills, and gain insight into that area’s land and people in a different way than if you were traveling through.
You can go by yourself or with a group! With 12,000 hosts in 130 countries to choose from, there are endless opportunities and places for you to explore.
Website: https://wwoof.net/
3. World Packers
World Packers is volunteer and cultural exchange program within 140 countries around the world with experiences ranging in permaculture, homestay’s, teaching, eco-villages, camping, farms, and more. Your volunteer work is in exchange for accommodation, meals, and authentic local experiences you wouldn’t get otherwise.
You also get peace of mind knowing you have the assistance and support of World Packers, such as travel insurance, other safety nets, and their community data base to connect you with other World Packers!
Website: https://www.worldpackers.com
4. House / Pet-Sit with “Trusted Housesitters”
Trusted Housesitters is a platform that connects you with short-term house and pet-sitting gigs around the world. With a profile, you can search your dream location and sift through the many house-sitting options (almost like airbnb).
Each listing will explain what the host is looking for as far as responsibilities and expectations while they’re gone, and if they have pets and how many. If you find a gig you like, you can message the host and pitch yourself to come look after their house and/or pets!
This experience is best if you have the time and flexibility to stay in a location for a decent amount of time, and if you’re looking to get more of that true local experience by “trying on” what it’s like to live in that city or neighborhood.
Ways to Work Abroad Without the Work & Holiday Visa
1. Teach English Abroad with TEFL (“Teach English as a Foreign Language”)
Interested in teaching and/or languages? One of the most popular ways to live, work, and travel abroad is by teaching English in countries where English is not their first language. TEFL is one of the best and well-known programs for doing just that!
You don’t need to be a teacher to do this, the only pre-requisite is being fluent in English. Popular countries to volunteer and teach in are Cambodia, South Korea, Japan, and China, but there are so many places you can go! This program generally offers a monthly salary and either free accommodation or a stipend for housing.
Website: https://www.tefl.org/en-us/
2. Enroll in School
If you’ve been considering going back to school, why not do it abroad? You can enroll in any school, anywhere! Could be a masters or a shorter term program.
If you’re a foreigner, most school programs allow you to work a certain amount of hours per week while you’re in school (ex. 20 hrs/week) to help pay for the program, living expenses, and travel. Most schools also give you a visa that allows you to live and work in that country for a certain period of time (example 2 years) after you finish the program! This way your skills stay in their economy.
School is an excellent excuse for going abroad, and a great option to look into if you know you want to try living somewhere more longterm.
Article: https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/10-ways-to-study-abroad
3. Self-Employed / Business Visas
If you have your own business or work full-time remotely, and you want to travel, this option is for you…
A lot of countries around the world let you come live and work there if you work remotely or have your own business! You just apply for a self-employed, freelance, or business visa. Each country and visa has their own restrictions and requirements, but it’s a great option to go somewhere short or long-term without all of the stress of “starting over” and getting a new job when you get there. This is the perfect option if you’re looking to escape the cold winter for a few months, or just switch it up and try living somewhere different for awhile!
Article: https://www.goabroad.com/articles/jobs-abroad/which-countries-offer-freelance-visas
Article: https://www.findawayabroad.com/post/the-ultimate-list-of-freelance-visas
Budget-Friendly Travel Accommodations
1. CouchSurfing
It’s exactly what it sounds like… CouchSurfing allows you to travel around the world while staying on people’s couches for free! Doing this allows you to meet the coolest locals who will often take the time to show you around their city, share a meal together, and answer any questions you have about that country or their lifestyle.
This is a great way to get a cheaper and more authentic experience than something like Airbnb. A free stay and great stories to tell after? Count me in.
Website: https://www.couchsurfing.com/
2. Hostelworld
Hostelworld is the number one platform backpackers and travelers use for budget-friendly stays! You stay in bunk rooms and get to make friends with people from all over the world. It’s easily one of the coolest ways to meet people and hostels often have their own tours or experiences like pub-crawls that you can sign up for.
Some Hostels are specifically working hostels where you are required to stay for a longer period of time while you work locally or remotely. Some hostels also allow you to work there in exchange for free accommodation, such as doing the bedding laundry, cleaning the kitchen, or working in reception!
Website: https://www.hostelworld.com
Phew! We covered a lot. I hope this has left you with some fresh ideas swirling in your mind, or maybe some newfound inspiration to get creative and go after your dream of experiencing a life outside of yours.
It’s a big world with lots to explore, and beyond this list, there are still so many other ways to do so. If you find any notable opportunities through your research that I should add to this list, please let me know!
Or, if you’ve done one of these, what was your experience like? Comment below or email me, I’d love to hear ❤️