The travel bubble isn't something you're likely to notice when you're caught up in the initial excitement of travelling in a foreign land for the first time. Look around the traveller trail and you'll notice the westernized biosphere; Pirate DVD sellers, laundry services specializing in taking two months worth of stink out of your clothes at a reasonable cost. Travellers aren't as removed from the tour-guide-following crowd as they once were. Travelling for longer or further won't help you escape. Instead, go deeper. Learn a language, communicate with the locals. One of the best ways to form a first hand perspective of a country is to work alongside the locals or volunteer on a project.
WORKING
The first rule of working abroad is: work where the currency is strong and spend where it is weak. An hourly wage in Japan will get you three nights in a cheap Indian hotel, whereas an hourly wage in India wouldn't cover a tip in a Japanese hotel.
Theoretically, depending on your age, nationality and professional skills, you can get legal permission to work nearly anywhere. Often however, many people work illegally because they can't be bothered with the paperwork. Of course, this carries a serious risk that should be weighed carefully.
When you are looking for work, think carefully about what you want from the job, are you saving for further travel, do you want to learn a new skill, or is having free time to partake in activities your priority? Often, travellers working abroad take the first job that comes along which can lead to frustration later on. If the reality of working eight hour shifts six days a week washing up means that you haven't put your skis on once, then you'd do well to look for another job.
| NEXT STEP : | Check the visa section of the country you are travelling to for working requirements. The internet is a great source for job hunting before you go, visit a search
engine and type in the key words regarding location and type of work you want. You can start with these: www.transitionsabroad.com or www.jobmonkey.com. |
STUDYING
Studying whilst you are abroad is one of the most rewarding things you can choose to do. From learning the art of capoeira in it's homeland Brazil to Japanese cookery classes, it's a chance to learn a new skill that will remain with you long after you've returned and is an opportunity to meet up with some locals. There are a wide variety of courses easily accessible to foreigners, and by engaging yourself in this way you're more likely to get under the skin of a place. Consider studying a language or developing a skill in photography, cookery, or maybe one of the martial arts. Many courses can be arranged at the last minute, especially if you're travelling alone. But most often, the better programmes require some advance booking. Look into this before you arrive.
| NEXT STEP : | See the working, volunteering and studying section in The Rough Guide First-Time Around the World for suggested courses and website listings. |
VOLUNTEERING
Dedicating time to a local charity or cause can be a tremendously fulfilling experience. It is a chance to pick up language skills, make local friends and possibly put your professional skills to use to make a contribution to people's lives. However, be advised that some organisations' definitions of efficiency and utility may differ substantially from your own. Before you sign up, make sure you know exactly what you will be doing. Also, most projects have specific dates for training and transporting new volunteers. However well informed you are just by turning up to lend a hand, your best bet is to make arrangements well before you leave.
