It can be tough whilst you are a student to be able to afford to travel, especially with the rise in tuition fees and living expenses. Being able to spend your summer in the sun is a dream most young people share and can relate to. Not only does it enhance our communication skills, but you also get to fully immerse yourself into another country’s culture and way of life. If you are afraid of going alone, don’t be! I always say you cannot sit around waiting for someone to join you, as will be waiting for a long time (possibly).
Although some of these jobs will cost you a start-up fee, with these you will earn back. It is also important to remember that it is all about the experience and sometimes money just isn’t everything. With an endless list of reasons to go and none to stay, I have compiled a list of jobs open to students, and how you can spend their summer having a once in a lifetime opportunity:
Work America:
One of my favorite options at the minute is Work America as it allows you to work in the USA for up to four months in a local job. Inherently, this will be suited to students who would rather not work at the camps with children and immerses you into a local life feeling as opposed to being on a camp. You can do this through the company Bunac who offer two different packages. Work America essentials costs £650 in which they will sponsor you and help you to find a job along the East Coast whilst assisting with the visa process.
They also have jobs with accommodation at a subsidized cost; these jobs can be anything from housekeeping to bar and restaurant work. They will provide jobs in New York, Maine and Massachusetts mostly. However, if you can find your own job in say California or beyond they will still sponsor you – I am hoping to do this next summer as I have acquired a contact in Santa Monica. Accommodation is easy to come by in the form of frat houses that are vacant and rented out over the summer if you are sorting it out yourself. If this doesn’t suit you, the Work America ultimate package provides everything from flights to accommodation for £1465 along the East Coast.
TEFL – Teaching English abroad:
Do you find Asia calling your name? There are many jobs every year to teach abroad in the likes of Thailand, China, and Vietnam. By completing a TEFL qualification and obtaining a certificate you could be getting paid to teach your native language. This is not limited to Asia either – it includes Europe and South America. While most of the time you do not need a degree to go, it is still a great option for students who have just had their three-year bubble burst and do not know what to do with themselves. This can be to your advantage in a country like Thailand where the living costs are cheaper as you can be expected to be paid around $18-$22 (USD) an hour. The TEFL course can either be conveniently studied online or through a classroom. Bob’s your uncle.
Party the summer away:
This next job is one that I am sure most students will find appealing because of the lifestyle that comes with it. You can either go through a website like Sun Kiss Holidays where you will pay for their services, which will cost around £449. Included in this is your first week tailored to settling you into the party atmosphere and helping you find a job. These jobs can be anything from bar work to selling shots. Accommodation for a month is in the package too, which can be extended if you wish to stay all summer, which takes the stress off of you. Or, if you fancy, you can avoid paying this money by flying out there, handing out CV’s and asking about. A few summers ago I spent a week on the island of Crete in Kavos, where my friend had a couple of trial shifts just whilst we were on holiday. The go-to places for these kinds of holidays include Magaluf, Malia, and Ibiza. What more could you want than relaxing on the beach and exploring in the day and partying straight into the night?
Work Away:
If having money is not an issue to you, then Work Away may be an option, as essentially you sign up to the website paying 36.00 EUR for the year. The website promotes itself as the ‘world’s leading community for sustainable travel and cultural exchange’. A vast range of volunteer projects can be applied from all over the world and is frequently used by travelers who are prolonging their adventures. For example, you can go to Uganda and help disadvantaged children or head to a permaculture project in the midst of Thailand helping in an eco-village, (just check you have the right visa). Feedback is left from previous workers, and the availability for it is marked through an amber light system too.
Clearly, the list goes on and on of the possibilities that exist. These three are the highlighted opportunities with something to suit all. On the other hand, there are jobs readily available on cruise ships, resorts and summer camps all over the world. Hopefully, this will inspire you to do something unforgettable this summer.
By Abi Trunk
Feature imagine courtesy of Travel Developer