Whether you’re looking to take a gap year before you attend a university or after you’ve graduated university (and before taking on a long-term employment opportunity), there are a wide variety of exciting options out there for you. One major consideration for those looking to take a gap year is employment. Obviously, you’re not looking for something that’s a full-blown career position, but financing your travel is a must. So, what kinds of jobs exist for the traveler looking to do something interesting during their gap year? The answer is that there are many kinds of positions available to you, all of them holding a unique value (and all of them providing steady financial security during this time of your life).
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Or Any Language)
If you’re interested in travelling with pay (and possibly having some of your expenses paid for) teaching English as a second language might be a good option for you. In fact, there is a need for foreign language teaching around the globe, so even if your first language isn’t English there’s a good chance that there is something out there for you.
Organizations like Go Overseas help people find language teaching jobs abroad through specific programs. While some countries are more difficult than others to teach in depending on the kinds of government programs and visas they have set up on behalf of the international language teachers coming to their schools, it’s worth considering.
Consider WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms)
WWOOF is an amazing organization that offers travel opportunities to individuals willing to work on an organic farm in exchange for a place to stay, or some of their expenses covered. It’s not necessarily a full-time job, but it does provide a unique opportunity to see the world from an entirely different perspective for your gap year. Additionally, WWOOF’s mindset of promoting excellent cultural and educational experiences is one that you can get behind during your gap year. What better time is there to travel and experience new things?
Tour Leader
If you’re looking to spend time in an amazing place, why not share your newfound love of your new gap-year home? Becoming a tour guide is easy, and you’ll learn so much about the place you’re staying. Some companies operate exclusively in specific countries or areas, but others are more generalized and you can search for employment based on where you want to go during your gap year. Not only will you be getting paid to travel and explore your new city, you’ll be able to share the exciting new information with people who are just as excited to be there as you are!
Consider Freelancing
Do you have a special skill or just a large amount of free time on your hands? Freelancing may be the best option for you. First of all, freelancing doesn’t tie you down to one location during your gap year. You can work from wherever you want, which frees you up to do more travelling and exploring. Additionally, freelancing comes in all shapes and sizes.
There are freelance writers, accountants, virtual assistants, social media specialists, graphic designers, writers and more. You set your own rates and determine your own hours, so by taking on just a few clients you can successfully keep yourself afloat while you travel during your gap year. Who knows? Maybe you’ll decide the freelancing way of life is the life for you long-term!
Work on a Cruise Ship
No, you don’t need to know how to captain the vessel to work on a cruise ship. Cruise ships are often hiring for staff, and what better way to see some amazing locations and meet interesting people? Try checking out Yacht Crew Wanted to find a cruise in your desired area and to see what positions are available. Not everything will be wonderful, and you may have to take a job cleaning up the rooms guests stay in, but you’ll be getting paid (and usually given room and board on the ship for free) to travel and see the world. What better way to spend your gap year?
These five unique jobs are all available to people looking to take a gap year, and all of them provide interesting benefits. Decide what you’re looking for in your gap year – whether that’s travel or fully immersing yourself in a different culture abroad for a full year – and narrow down your options from there. You may even find that you’re open to more temporary employment possibilities once you hone in on your interests and where you’d like to be located. Wherever you end up, and whatever job you end up doing, make sure you’re taking the time to fully enjoy yourself before diving in to your next stage of life.