THE ULTIMATE RESOURCE FOR TRAVEL CAREERS, STUDYING, LIVING, BUDGET TRAVELING, AND TRAVEL HACKING
This is a huge list of resources for those who are currently traveling, want to travel or want to make a career out of traveling.
Why did I create this and why listen to me? I have sailed around the Atlantic Ocean, backpacked Europe, performed clarinet internationally and visited 25+ countries. This is not for bragging rights but to let you know that I’ve traveled in many different ways and of course wanting to do it on the cheap. As a result, is this huge list of resources to incorporate travel in your life whether you are in college, graduated or traveling right now (lucky you). There was so much I learned over the years about budgeting, getting free hotels and flights, finding a career involving travel and studying abroad that I lost track. This is the resource I created so I can refer to and now you can too!
How to use this guide:
It is split into different parents depending on what you’re looking for:
1) In college and want to study abroad
a) Different Study Abroad Programs (Sailing, Volunteer, Specific Country)
b) ROTC Language Programs
c) Undergraduate Teaching Programs
d) Most popular study abroad companies
2) Graduate/Post-Graduate international opportunities
a) Entrepreneurship
b) International Research
c) Language Studies
3) Jobs that get you away from home
a) Fun/Unique jobs
b) Seasonal, Remote Jobs
4) International Volunteer Programs
a) Paid
b) U.S. Government Funded
5) Careers that incorporate travel
a) Teaching Abroad
b) Airline Industry
c) U.S. Government
d) Humanitarian (Private, non-profit)
6) How to live abroad and become an expat
a) Resources
7) Currently traveling: Budgeting, Places to Stay and Jobs
8) Alternatives
9) Travel Hacking, How to get free flights and hotel stays
a) Easiest method
b) Harder method
Please keep in mind that this is a huge list but I am certain there are so many opportunities out there just waiting to be discovered.
TIP: Press Ctrl+F and search for a keyword you are interested in.
In College and Want to Study Abroad
Study Abroad! Before you even start reading this section go talk to your study abroad coordinator about options to go abroad!
Are you interested in seeing as many countries as possible?
Semester at Sea
Want to spend a whole semester learning how to sail, scuba dive or navigate the seas?
Sea|mester
Or specifically for Canadians: Class afloat
Want more out of your experiences abroad through an apprenticeship and training that will help you in the future?
Global Citizen Year, Thinking Beyond Borders, Maritime Careers
Check out JET (Teach English in Korea)
IES, CIEE,AIFS
For more information check out: Go Overseas. A great website that I write for that has resources for all types of study abroad programs.
ROTC Language Flagship Programs (Government pays ROTC cadets to travel to a foreign country for language learning)
Popular one is Project Go sponsored by the Department of Defense. There are many Language ROTC programs as well for specific universities. So check around!
Graduate/Post-Graduate student international opportunities
Not as many opportunities as undergraduate students but if you missed your chance here are some ways to get go international
Attending an international graduate school many times is a lot cheaper. Check out programs in Thailand, Mexico, Sweden, Spain, France, South Africa, Singapore, Germany
German Program There is no tuition, as well as Finland
Want to learn a new language? Apply for the Boren Fellowship Program
More interested in oversea research? Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Stanley Graduate Awards for International Research
Post Graduate:
Interested in social justice and willing to commit to a yearlong service fellowship in education, conservation, poverty, or housing reconstruction? Grinnell Corps
Jobs that get you away from home
- Work at a Resort whether it be in paradise or somewhere else away from home. They usually pay for housing and meals.
- International Summer Camps
Check out Village Camps or to work with international camp staff and campers in the United States apply to Windsor Mountain International Summer Camp. I’ve personally done this and was a great way to meet international people. Months later when I backpacked Europe I stayed a two friends I met at camp!
- Love the water? Lifeguarding.
- Prefer the cold? Then in the winter apply for a ski resort or as a ski patrol. Winter Jobs, Vail Ski Resort (U.S.)
5. Check out these websites for Unique/Adventure Jobs!
Backdoor jobs, Cool works, Job Monkey, Seasonal Workers, Looking for Adventure
- Love work with Children? Become an Au Pair. A German friend of mine that I worked with at summer camp has been doing it for 2 years and she absolutely adores it! Interexchange, Go Aupair
- Into music or have a background with audio/lighting/musical equipment? Looking into becoming a Roadie, Get into music.org. This can even be done professionally if you are very good.
- Work for a gap year travel company Rustic Pathways, Global Routes, where there be dragons
- Work online as a freelancer (writer, editor, graphic designer, website developer, virtual assistant, photographer) Check out Fiverr or upwork or Freelancer
- Or find a job where you can work location independent, remotely (consultant, day trader, Independent agent: Leapforce, Lionsbridge) Interested in tutoring online? Tutor Or try the more difficult paths as a blogger, internet marketer or content creator. If you do really well then it can become your career!
- Entertainer: Had a friend who was a Corporate Comedian, has won 8 New England Emmy’s, worked with Snoop Dogg and a finalist for ABC’s Star Search. I’ve also had the chance to travel the world with Barry Lubin aka Grandma the Clown and he has been clowning all over the world!
- Apply for a work visa! The most common countries are Australia, Canada New Zealand or the U.K. Want to make the process easier? Do it through BUNAC, STA Travel
International Volunteer Programs
Government Funded:
Se7en Database of nearly-free volunteer opportunities worldwide
Paid Volunteer Programs
Global Service Corps , Rustic Pathways, Cross cultural Solutions
Omprakash “a free online platform that connects grassroots health, education, and environmental organizations in over 30 countries with a global audience of volunteers, donors, and classrooms that can learn from and support their work.”
Career Paths that incorporate travel
- Teach English Abroad: First earn a TEFL or CELTA English Teaching certification. CELTA is the more widely regarded but more expensive course.
Teaching Opportunities
EPIK (English Teaching Program in Korea)
JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching Program)
Auxiliares de Conversación (Spain)
-Check out this blog post by blogger Young Adventuress
CIEE (non-profit/non-governmental)
Resources: Eslcafe.com, Reddit (TEFL), Top Ten Places to Teach Abroad
2) Work for an airline company as a Flight Attendant, Ramp Agent or etc. You get free travel benefits for you and the immediate family!
US Airlines: Virgin America, Southwest, Delta, American Airlines, US Airways, United Airlines, Alaskan Airlines
International: Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Air Canada, Swiss Airlines, Asiana Airlines and the list goes on…
3) Digital Nomad (work remotely)
4) Worldwide Chef
Chef David Gilbert travels the world, cooking. Check out his blog Beyond the Kitchen or another blog The Vagabond Chef
If you’re serious about taking your skills internationally, check out The International Culinary Center
5) Work for the U.S. Federal Government and be placed abroad
Federal Law Enforcement: FBI, NSA, ATF, DEA, NCIS, Homeland Security, Federal Air Marshal Service, Secret Service (they do more than just guard the President of the United States), State Department
Humanitarian Aid: USAID, FEMA, U.S. Foreign Service, Civil Servant for U.S. Department of State
6) Work for Independent agencies that are government owned
United States Antarctic Program
7) Work for worldwide organizations U.N.. UNICEF, NATO, ICRC
Government contracted: Fire fighter, oil rigger, Field Service Technician (apply on usajobs.gov)8) Join the Armed Forces (Go talk to a recruiter in your area!)
Coast Guard, Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy)
8) Join the Armed Forces (Go talk to a recruiter in your area!)
Coast Guard, Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy)
9) For the religious, consider becoming a Missionary. Go to Seminary then enter a program like Youth With A Mission (YWAM).
If you want to do it through the military, check out the Chaplain Program with the armed forces: Coast Guard, Army, Navy or Marine Corps, Air Force
10) Work for a non-profit/private organizations/charitable organizations:
Idealist (“The world’s best place to find volunteer opportunities, nonprofit jobs, internships, and organizations working to change the world since 1995.”) International Committee of the Red Cross, World Vision International
11) Become a Diplomat
12) Work on a cruise ship (Royal Caribbean, Disney, Carnival, MSC, Celebrity etc). Work on a sail boat, or luxury yacht as deckhand, maid, engineer, cook or crew worker. These two websites would be your best bets Crew bay, Crew Yacht
14) Travel Nurse http://www.travelnursing.com/
15) Archaeologist. List of open positions at http://shovelbums.net/index.php/jobs
16) Great with words? Try following the footsteps of a reporter, journalist, writer for a international news company (National Geographic, CNN, BBC, Huffington Post)
17) Apply as a Teacher or Professor for Special Travel Schools: The Traveling School an or Semester at Sea
18) Want to be trained to work for a startup company after graduation?: Venture for America
19) Become a Pyrotechnic: A good friend of mine does firework shows internationally. You need to first get your license, check out PGI, Pyrotechnics Guild International
20) Work as an outdoor guide (Outward Bound, NOLS, BOLD & GOLD)
21) Youth Conservation Corps: work in conservation through a federal program
22) Wildland Firefighting: Live outside, fight fires mainly out West
How to Live Abroad and become an Expat
Living in a different country than your own is consider an expatriate. There are many forums and websites that I can help you achieve this.
Forums: Ex Patriot Cafe
Resources by countries: Transitions Abroad
Website on Migrating to Canada Migrating to Canada informative post
Amazing website: Expat Exchange
12 Tips For Moving to a Foreign Country
Blog post on how a Californian moved to the south of France
Currently traveling: Budget, Places to Stay and Jobs
- Work abroad websites (Helpx, Workaway, WOOFING, Moving Worlds)
I personally used a workaway to work on a farm in Utizgen, Switzerland for two and a half weeks!
Work as a Bartender, SCUBA Instructor, Surf Instructor, waiter, hostel worker (sometimes all you have to do is ASK
Volunteer Travel Jobs
Hostel worker
Farm travel jobs
Yoga Travel jobs
Surfing jobs
Diving jobs
2) Find people to host you in on your travels!
Couch surfing, Couchers, Trust Roots, Warmshowers (bike travelers)
Homesitting, taking care of someone else’s home while they are away
Mind My House ($29 annual fee)
Trusted House Sitters ($169 annual fee)
House Carers ($55 annual fee)
Odd jobs
Check out Turners blog: Around the World in 80 jobs or Jacqueline’s Escape Normal
Travel by bicycle: One of the cheapest ways to travel, especially if you camp everywhere. I have primarily traveled by bicycle for the past 10 years. Adventure cycling, Bikepacking
Tour Guide (Walking Tours, Schools for becoming a Tour Guide ITMI and IGA )
Have a hidden talent and want to start taking it to the street? Consider busking also known as street performing (music, living statue, magic, special skills)
Want to have a free road trip? (U.S. Only) Transport a Car! If you have a clean driving record you can drive cars with delivery companies. Call and ask them if they have cards they need transporting. Here’s one example: http://www.autodriveaway.com/
Alternatives
Feeling lucky? Enter into travel competitions
Start looking for those Travel Job Competitions! Jauntarro’s Chief World Explorer: http://www.bestjobaroundtheworld.com/, https://bestjobs.australia.com/Conde Nast Magazine , Travel Onion, STA Travel , Competition Crazy has travel competitions year round
Adventure: Want to have an adventure for a good cause? Rickshaw Challenge
For Extra Information on Living, Working and Studying Abroad:
http://studentsabroad.state.gov/
http://www.gonomad.com
http://www.transitionsabroad.com
http://www.goabroad.com
Travel Hacking: How to get flights and hotel stays
What is travel hacking? A legal method of collecting miles and rewards in order to achieve free or close to free airfare or hotel stays. I found out about this in college, way back in 2012 and it opened up the world to me as a broke college student.
Credit Cards: The Easiest Way to Get Free Flights/Hotels Stays
Signing up for reward credit card offers. Unfortunately, it is mainly for U.S. and Canadian residents. But there is a catch. You need to have a good credit card history in order to be accepted for these bonus offers from credit card companies. Check out your credit score at Credit Karma which is a free, trusted resource. Also responsibility is paramount for this method as you need to pay off your credit card in full in order to be in good standard and not fall into debt.
The Difficult Ways without Credit Cards
Purchasing products through online airline malls
American Airlines
Delta
U.S. Airways
United
Filling out Online Surveys: The most difficult way to earn points. Only receive points in small amounts but if your points are coming close to their expiration date, this is an easy way to renew them.
Read this excellent post: http://advancedriskology.com/secrets-of-online-surveys/
Resources to get you started:
Best list of resources for all things credit cards: http://millionmilesecrets.com/credit-cards/credit-card-resources/
Read these informative blog posts to get started on frequent flier mile hacking (using credit cards):
http://chrisguillebeau.com/3×5/how-to-use-frequent-flyer-miles-to-go-anywhere/
http://advancedriskology.com/frequent-flyer-tactics-part-one/
http://advancedriskology.com/advanced-travel-hacking-the-credit-card-blitzkrieg/
Reddit (Churning), Flyer Talk, Mile Point, Frequent Flier (online forums about travel hacking)Cards for Travel (Best Credit Cards for earning flier miles)
Million Mile Secrets, The Points Guy, Boarding Area, Hack My Trip (Popular Travel Hacking websites)