Working Abroad on Location
Working Abroad and Finding Jobs
While many travelers have gradually moved to work online as digital nomads, there is a different brand of traveler too.
On-location workers are those who travel to a new part of the world to complete a job or impart their knowledge. These jobs are generally location-specific and require a physical presence. Travelers can fund entire journeys around the planet by setting up permanent or temporary shops in these places. There are millions of jobs which fit this description around the world.
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English as a Second Language Instructor (ESL)
Average Yearly Salary: $46871 (Note, salary varies greatly depending on the country)
One of the most popular methods for working abroad on location involves teaching English. There is high demand around the world for English teachers, since it is the operable trade language of Earth.
English teachers can work in almost any non-English speaking country for a respectable local salary. Generally, ESL teachers are required to have certification called a TEFL/TESOL. (Teaching English as a Foreign Language or Teaching English as a Second Language). The two certifications are practically interchangeable.
For more advanced teachers, there are also certifications including the CELTA and DELTA.
An ESL teacher is generally accepted to a job prior to moving to a new country. Once they move, they are required to work a certain number of teaching hours on a regular schedule.
Though many countries, such as Japan, require a teacher to have a university degree and certificate, there are many other countries which have no such requirements. Teaching in Guatemala, for example, can be done without certification if a school or learning center agrees to hire someone.
Click here for a list of ESL Resources
Hotels and Hospitality
Average Yearly Salary: (This is usually a non-salary position with a limited term. Pay varies greatly by country and type of lodging).
The hotel and hospitality industries are found throughout the world. No matter where you travel, there is always demand for lodging.
Many of these buildings require staff members. They will offer free lodging in exchange for a certain number of hours worked.
Scams are very common in this industry, so it is wise to research potential locations thoroughly before accepting a job or position.
One of the best ways to travel the world is by working for hostels. Hostels often hire travelers for short contracts to maintain and upkeep the location. This is a wonderfully entertaining field to work in, since you get to meet many other travelers passing through the area.
Doctors Without Borders
Medical professionals generally start with a monthly stipend of $2,039 with increases for experience or expertise
For people with a medical background, there is no better option for working abroad on location than Doctors Without Borders. This humanitarian organization sends medical professionals to impoverished areas which lack medical expertise. There are many subdivisions of this field depending on the medical task involved.
Doctors are paid a small salary for this work while gaining considerable frontline experience. The organization is very culturally immersive so living conditions vary greatly depending on the assignment. However, the aid rendered is real and potent.
Yacht and Cruise Ships
Average Yearly Salary: $16,000 to $20,000
One of the best ways to earn a substantial amount of money quickly is by working on a boat. Working for a cruise ship or yacht involves general maintenance, cleaning, serving and hospitality work.
Working on a boat generally diminishes the cost of living while traveling. Meals are part of the deal and lodging is provided. People using a ship as transport can make arrangements to hop off at a port of their choosing.
Working in the yacht and cruise industry is rather strenuous. Staff members rarely get days off during service trips, so expect to be frequently busy.
On Site Photography
Average Annual Salary: $36,000
Many photography positions require a photographer to visit actual locations. This includes fashion photographers, brochure photographers and many others. People who work freelance in this field need to spend additional time organizing logistics, including transport and the weight of photography gear.
Live in Caregiver (Au Pair)
Average Salary: This depends largely on the family and country in question, but roughly $600 monthly is average
For many, this is a perfect method for traveling the world. A Live-In Caregiver provides care for children while working abroad on location. The job requires that an individual stays with a host family to teach and care for kids.
This job generally requires having some experience working with children. In return, an Au Pair receives food, lodging, access to a new country and a fair bit of spending money.
Pet-Sitter and House-Sitter
Average Yearly Salary: $25,723
Another option for helping people while traveling the world is a job as a professional pet-sitter or house-sitter. As the name implies, this is a person who cares for a household and pet while staying in a foreign country.
The job is generally pretty easy and provides free, temporary lodging. It’s an excellent way to travel the world on a shoestring budget. There are various websites and applications that help beginners start using this service.
Cook
Average Yearly Salary: $27,580
If you can flip a burger, you can work anywhere on Earth.
Working in the food industry, especially as a cook or chef, is a brilliant way to travel. Food is always in demand in all countries, so a talented and dedicated cook is always appreciated.
People working in the food industry know that kitchen-folk are transient people. As long as a person remains professional and hardworking, they can be hired to work abroad on location.
Scuba Master
Average Yearly Salary (Tech Diving Instructor): $29,914
Scuba instructors are people who provide training to new divers. They tend to work mostly around tropical regions with lots of diving sites. Their jobs are undoubtedly some of the most interesting and beautiful in the world.
A diving instructor is required to get several certifications prior to teaching. They must have six months of diving experience, a PADI Divemaster Certification, a CPR and First Aid Training Certification, a current diving clearance medical approval and at least 60 logged dives.
Wherever there’s a beautiful sea or ocean, a scuba instructor can find work.
Yoga Instructor, Pilates Instructors
Average Yearly Salary: $35,000
As the world trends toward personal health, yoga instructors and Pilates Instructors have begun health-and-self-care businesses across the world. This field does well in affluent places with large numbers of expats, allowing a sustainable business model for working abroad on location.
Yoga instructors are generally required to complete training with a certified yoga school, obtain CPR certifications and earn additional certifications for specialized classes. However, once this is completed, a yoga instructor can work anywhere in the world.
Farm Work
Average Yearly Salary (Seasonal work, salary varies depending on harvesting and planting times)
Similar to a working holiday, it’s possible to find jobs in the rural parts of the world. Farm work is difficult, physically challenging work.
Whether this involves herding goats, caring for chickens, planting crops, harvesting food or birthing cows, farm work is versatile and challenging. It is also incredibly informative and rewarding. There are many programs across the world that allow people to perform farm work in exchange for having a place to live while earning money.
Tour Guide
Average Yearly Salary: $29,323
For people who like to travel or who fall in love with a specific area, a job as a tour guide is ideal. Tour guides research places in great detail and show groups the best places to visit.
Storytellers and comedians tend to shine in this field. People who speak multiple languages are especially beloved, as tour groups are often multilingual.
Flight Attendant
Average Yearly Salary: $62,680
There’s a reason this is a competitive field. Working as a flight attendant allows a person to travel all over the world, almost nonstop. Though the hours are somewhat strange, there is merit in the job. Flight attendants can live virtually anywhere they desire by simply calling a favored hub “home base.”
Flight attendants generally work long and strange hours. However, they tend to meet interesting people, enjoy company benefits and get extensive travel experience. If you ever meet a flight attendant, be sure to ask for some stories. Flight attendants as a group collect some of the most outlandish and amazing stories in the world.
Seasonal Work
It is also possible to find seasonal work around the world. By necessity, these jobs are temporary. Because they don’t offer a permanent position, these positions tend to pay better-than-average to attract a constant rotation of workers.
Seasonal work is reliant on the environment. For example, canaries in Alaska are mostly active only during salmon season. Ski resorts usually only hire in the winter, especially around holidays. Lifeguards only work in large numbers during the four months of summer in many areas. These are great oppertunities for short stays while working abroad on location.
Overall, there are numerous jobs for travelers. Millions of temporary or permanent positions can provide excellent gateways into continuous travel. More than just visiting an area, a traveler can also be an asset to the communities they visit and thrive within.
Read about my jobs abroad, including volunteer work, photography, ESL jobs and life as a digital nomad. Visit the Leftfade Trails Blog.
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