Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
5. Working abroad
Working abroad is a great option if you desperately want to go overseas, can't really afford
it and the bit you have managed to save won't cover much more than air fare.
It's one of the best ways to experience a different culture; you'll be meeting locals and ex-
periencing what the country is really like in a way that you can't do as a traveller passing
through. Most jobs give you enough spare time, in the evenings and at weekends, to enjoy
yourself and make friends.
You don't have to be tied to one place for your whole gap-year - you can work for a bit and
save up for your travels. That way you can learn more about the place and get the inside
information from the locals about the best places to see before you set off.
You cover at least some of your costs, and, depending on what you do, the work experience
will look good on your CV - but even if you're only doing unskilled seasonal work, pro-
spective employers will be reassured that you at least know something about the basics like
punctuality, fitting into an organisation and managing your time.
An internship with pay is a good way to get work experience if you already have an idea
about your eventual career and will help in those early stages of the problem that affects
many young people - when employers want experience but won't take you on so you can
get it.
Jon Arnold, of Oyster Worldwide, told us: “Earning money on a gap-year is a very popular
thing to do. A gap-year is a chance not just to flip burgers in your local burger restaurant or
stack shelves in your local supermarket, you can go overseas and get a far more worthwhile
experience.
“Paid work overseas looks fantastic on your CV. Good grades are simply not enough any
more. Employers are looking for people who can demonstrate those 'soft skills' of team-
work, determination, leadership, confidence, independence and social skills. A well-spent
gap year is the perfect way to add these skills to your CV
Older gappers, too, may find that, despite the current global economic problems, their skills
and experience are in demand, particularly in developing countries.
Key questions to get started
What kind of work do you want to do? There are some suggestions in this chapter but they're
only a start.
Is it to help pay your way on your gap?
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