It would be a dream come true if international airfare and traveling were free and we could roam the world as we pleased.
The reality is that that doesn't happen to be the case, and traveling - especially long-term - can get expensive, even if you stick to a budget.
One of the best ways to travel and remain on the road is to work while you do so. Working abroad can allow you to extend your dream trip even longer!
Before I graduated college, my dream trip was to spend a few weeks traveling Europe with a friend.
Since my budget didn't allow for that, I applied (and was hired) to work for a travel company in Italy, where I was based and got to travel around Europe for my job (I did both marketing and tour guiding).
I saved up some money from a summer job to pay for those pesky international flights but was able to extend my dream trip from a few weeks into five months, and travel much more than I had originally planned.
Make sure to grab your free copy of the free starter guide on working abroad!
Tour Guide
Like I mentioned above, being a tour guide is a great option if you're looking to both work and travel. Do your research on tour companies around the globe and your preferred region to travel. It usually helps if you've traveled in the area you'd be working in, but for some companies that's not a requirement.
Teach English
This is a very popular method of working abroad. You can earn a decent salary depending on where you teach (apparently South Korea and Saudi Arabia pay high salaries) and the main requirements are usually a bachelor's degree in anything plus a TESOL or TEFL certification. You'll get to live abroad, have a rewarding experience teaching, travel on weekends/breaks, and have the opportunity to save money if you plan on continuing to travel after.
Blogger
If you have a profitable blog, you can work anywhere with internet. While most blogs don't earn any money, there is a decent amount that do - and possibly earn enough to fund travel. Just make sure you have plans to keep up with your blog before you take off, so that you don't lose advertisers/sponsors/readers - aka what would be driving your source of income.
Freelancer
Freelancing is another way to keep your funds up. Depending on the gig(s), what you get paid per piece and the amount of freelancing you're doing could be enough to stay afloat while you travel. Problogger is one of many resources that has a job board for freelance writers, but you could also freelance graphic design, social media, etc.
Remote Work
Going off of the above two, if going remote with your current job is doable, then you have the comfort of knowing your job and keeping it while not being tied to a home base.
Work at a Hostel
If you are drawn to one particular city then consider working at a hostel. Whether you do front desk work, cooking, or bartending, you have the opportunity to earn money and/or live at the hostel for free. Plus, you'll constantly be meeting new travelers as they come and go.
Au Pair
If you enjoy being around children, being an au pair (live-in nanny) could be a good a way to live and work abroad. You'd live with a host family, take care of the kids while their parents are away, and learn/speak a new language.
Bartender/Server
Depending on work permits, serving at a restaurant or bartending is a way to earn some extra cash while you travel. This will give you international hospitality experience, too.
Work Away
With Work Away you won't be making money, but you will receive food and accommodation in exchange for work. Since food and accommodation are often the larger expenses of travel your previously saved money will last longer. There are a number of Work Away jobs to apply for all over the world.
WWOOF
WWOOF is similar to Work Away, but specifically geared toward working on organic and sustainable farms. You'll receive food and accommodation in exchange for work on the farm. There are opportunities all over the globe!
Work On a Cruise Ship
There is a wide variety of job opportunities available on cruise ships, and if you like the sea, then this could be a great option for you. Cruise companies are all over the world, and since you'd be living on the boat, you'd go wherever the boat goes. Check out this job board for opportunities available aboard cruise ships.
This list just scratches the surface!Make sure to grab your free copy of the free starter guide on working abroadand check out The Ultimate List of Jobs That Pay You To Travel the World!
