7 alternatives for those who want to travel
Although I'm a bit obsessed with the online direction and the nomadic life, there are many creative ways to finance your adventures while on the road. And here I have compiled a small list of alternative jobs that allow you to explore new places without having to spend all your savings.
Travel and work visum: Perhaps you have dreamed of a season as a ski instructor in Canada? Or a year of vanlife in Australia? Many countries offer visas specifically for those who want a residence permit to both travel and work. This is much more common than one might think, and in many countries there are backpackers who stay for several years with different visa plans. I have written a separate post about exactly the 417 WHS that Australia has, which I absolutely recommend taking advantage of if you want to go to the land of kangaroos, the Great Barrier Reef and Vegemite. Read more about it here.
Language teacher and TEFL: If you are proficient in another language, or have another mother tongue, you can offer services such as a language teacher or guide for travelers who want to learn the language you speak. The demand for language educators is high, and I know at least 5 people who are attending courses to learn either Japanese, Italian, Korean, French or Portuguese. There are opportunities to work both online and at language schools around. I myself took a TEFL course (Teach English as a Foreign Language) and for a while considered working as an English teacher in Thailand. I still have the certification, but unfortunately it has gone unused.
Volunteer work, or work for accomodation: For those who want to do something meaningful and rewarding while experiencing a new place, volunteering or charity projects can be a good alternative. This may include work with environmental conservation, relief work or teaching of various forms. And there are multiple websites where people need volunteers in exchange for some help in their organization or sanctuary. A couple of these are: worldpackers.com, volunteerworld.com and wwof.net. Make sure that you choose an ethical and proper program where the work the organization does has a positive impact on the individuals and the surrounding community.
Cruise employee: Unless you get easily seasick or claustrophobic from being on a boat, cruise ships can offer a variety of jobs for travelers: waiters, entertainers, spa therapists and shop assistants. This provides the opportunity to travel from port to port while working, and can be fulltime or seasonal/periodic. In Cairns I met a girl who worked on a private yacht with a bunch of young people from different nationalities, who sailed around the world, looked after the yacht guests and got to see new places all the time!
Erasmus + or ESC/EVS-project: This is more of an option for those aged between 19 and 24. Erasmus + is an education and exchange program funded by the European Union (EU). They offer a range of opportunities for students, teachers, apprentices, volunteers and other professionals in education, training, youth and sport. After I finished a bachelor's in social work at UiA, I went to Palermo for 1 year on an EVS project. And through this international project I worked as a volunteer for a year, lived for free, and received monthly pocket money and food money. My tasks ranged from writing blog posts, managing social media, creating street libraries, working in a secondhand shop and spending time at a center for young adults with autism.
Au pair or babysitting: Some travelers choose to work as an au pair or babysitter while they are traveling. This gives the opportunity to live with a host family abroad and get to know their culture and everyday life. Of the people I know who have done this, some have had incredibly good experiences, while for others the family they lived with was not a good match. So here you can be a bit unlucky, but also increadibly lucky and end up in a host family that becomes like a second family.
Self sufficient farmwork and community: I haven't done this, but it seems incredibly cool! Some people choose to work on farms or in agriculture while traveling, becoming part of a small community that focuses on sustainable living, natural movement and self-reliance. And they spend their days giving back to a small community, and in return they get a place to live, lots of new acquaintances and deep relationships.
There are probably many other options within the category of "travel and work", but these are the ones I have had experience with myself, or know others who have. The most important thing is to do your own research and contact others who have tried the various options, read blogs and get tips and inspiration.
"Travel work" can be a fantastic way to experience the world, learn about different cultures and broaden your horizons. I hope that these suggestions have opened your mind to new possibilities and inspire you to start a new adventure. 