Working Abroad - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

faith · 02-08-2004, 08:54 AM

Any thoughts on working in Europe for a first time traveller? I'm graduating form university this year and thinking of doing it next year in England or Ireland, just for a break and a totally different experience. I'm thinking of going through SWAP, any comments, suggestions?

**verstehen** · 02-08-2004, 01:20 PM

I've not done anything through SWAP, but I worked in Finland for 3 months with IAESTE and loved it. I would highly recommend traveling and working with one of these sorts of programs.

As for working on the road, it's become a lot harder to do without work visas or permits. The days of tooling around and picking up the odd job are fading quickly.

*sigh*

Best of luck

**Canadian Dude** · 02-08-2004, 01:37 PM

IAESTE That the link for verstehen's program...

What country are you from??? There are goverment sponsered programs in Canada for young people to travel and work abroad...how old are you? are you going back to school???

These all play a part in what programs you will be able to go with. ( if your going that route)

faith · 02-10-2004, 11:25 AM

I'm 21 and from Canada. I'm thinking of doing SWAP which is through Travel Cuts, probably going to be a student when you come back, not totally sure.
I'm not really interested in government things, because I'm assuming it would be government-related work and I think I want a year of just doing some fun stupid job.

**Fedfe** · 02-12-2004, 09:58 AM

faith, SWAP is a good idea.... well maybe i'm speaking too soon, but it looks good. I am going on SWAP france in april... and i mean its a good deal. If you are planning on travelling anyways, its a great idea, because then you can get a work visa. even if you are only planning on travelling and no working, you still have that work visa to fall back on if need some money. but also, i really want to live in france for a few months, and what better way then experience a culture by doing that! if you do go over there an work, then you can get an apartment, and use that as a base from which to do some travels, because once you get over there everything is so much closer!

Hughes9115 · 02-17-2004, 08:56 PM

A general comment on working abroad for a first time traveler.......

Last summer I worked as an intern for a plastics company in Germany. After my 6 weeks of work I traveled for 3 weeks. I think that working for the first portion of my trip was a huge benefit because I didnt feel sooo lost over there. I had a purpose and things to do. Maybe some of you would have no trouble traveling Europe solo at 22 as your first trip but for me it was better to work first. I had 6 weeks to build up my confidence and "relax" in the same town every night. I was lucky last summer to have such an oppurtunity.........I think it will be much more difficult to find work in Europe if I attempt it again.

My 2 cents.
Andy

faith · 02-18-2004, 10:47 AM

The way it seems to be working out, in regards to meeting up woth a friend, and being able to ifnd a job I think I'll have to travel first, it doesn't seem to realistic to get a job for three weeks and then ask them for a month off...

**Fedfe** · 02-18-2004, 06:02 PM

well i guess it really depends on what kind of work you are going to be doing. if it is just restaurant/bar or otherwise seasonal work, then fine, work for three weeks make a little dough, then go travel, then come back and find another job in another city if you want. thats the beauty of living out of your backpack, is that you don't have to have a base from which you always go back to. there is a lot of flexibility involved.