How to Get Paid to Travel the World - Craghoppers US Community

Do you have a case of wanderlust disproportionate to the size of your travel fund? Don’t despair. The travel industry, internet culture, and ingenious websites have made it easier than ever to offset your travel expenses. Some opportunities will merely cancel out your expenses while others can be quite lucrative! Read on—there is a travel job waiting in the (airplane) wings for you…

1. Teach English Abroad

Teach abroad and help kids learn English while immersing yourself in a new culture. Julia Rogers — Teach abroad and help kids learn English while immersing yourself in a new culture.
Julia Rogers

English is the language of the global economy and many foreign governments are clamoring to educate their school children and employees to equip them with this essential skill. To begin, obtain a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate, available in-person or online. Then investigate potential countries and job opportunities on websites like Dave’s ESL Café. Popular locations include South Korea, China, Thailand, Brazil and Saudi Arabia.

Salary: $1,000-$3,000 per month, depending on the country. Housing is often included as a perk.

2. Work Exchange on Organic Farms

If you’re not afraid to get dirty, you can find yourself in a new and exciting country. Julia Rogers — If you’re not afraid to get dirty, you can find yourself in a new and exciting country.
Julia Rogers

For those who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, a work exchange on an organic farm is a low-cost way to experience a culture first-hand. In exchange for 4-5 hours of farm work, WWOOFers receive free room and board from their hosts. People praise WWOOF and similar sites like Help Exchange and Work Away as a fantastic way to enjoy a genuine foreign exchange.

Salary: None, but helpers receive free room and board.

3. Become a Social Entrepreneur

Connecting the world through social outlets is a great way to give back and travel at the same time. Pexels — Connecting the world through social outlets is a great way to give back and travel at the same time.
Pexels

Making a living while also creating positive change in the world are not mutually exclusive ideas, especially these days. Industrious individuals are solving problems all over the world with creative business models. Companies like KuliKuli and Eneza were founded by people that conceived their business idea while traveling.

Salary: Sky’s the limit! Ashoka is a great place to start for tips on finding a socially responsible company.

4. Housesitting

House sitting is a great gig if you can land it. Pexels — House sitting is a great gig if you can land it.
Pexels

Like AirBnB for free, housesitting is a fantastic opportunity to spend time abroad in the comfort of a home… someone else’s home. Housesitters are hired to care for a family’s home and are expected to perform a variety of tasks. Duties can include pet/farm animal care, pool maintenance, lawn mowing, gardening, cleaning, and any other responsibilities specified by the homeowner. Length varies by assignment from a few days to several years.

Salary: Depends on the agreement. Some websites like Trusted Housesitters arrange a free exchange while other arrangements can pay between $100-$300/week.

5. Work Remotely.

Work remotely and your office can be anywhere in the world. Pexels — Work remotely and your office can be anywhere in the world.
Pexels

I know a couple who work in web design and have taken their jobs with them to mountain bike in Moab, live in New Zealand, and ski in Alaska. If you want to become a digital nomad, all you need is a laptop and an internet connection. By their nature, some tech and writing jobs are already suited to this. You can also look into freelancing on websites like Upwork and FlexJobs. Consider joining a group of peers to travel with on Remote Year!

Salary: Depends on hours worked and type of job.

6. Au Pair with a Family.

If you like kids, the Au pair option is a fun way to share your culture in another country. Pexels — If you like kids, the Au pair option is a fun way to share your culture in another country.
Pexels

If you are good with kids and want an up-close cultural experience, consider living with a family as an aupair. Au pairs act as nannies and become part of the family, also offering an opportunity for language exchange if the hosts are from a non-English speaking country. Expect to work 30-40 hours a week and be flexible in learning to live with a nuclear family in a different country! Check out the International AuPair Association for verified agencies to work with.

Salary: $150-$250/week plus free room and partial board.

7. Teach a Skill.

Bring your knowledge abroad and work somewhere new. Julia Rogers — Bring your knowledge abroad and work somewhere new.
Julia Rogers

Everyone has a unique skill set and this can often be monetized to fund your travels. If you can ski, you can get a job coaching at a ski field in New Zealand. If you are a yogi you can lead classes at a retreat center in Bali. You grew up sailing? Join a crew and take to the sea! Think about what you have to offer, and how that can translate into a gig abroad.

Salary: Expect to earn enough to cover the costs of your travels.

8. Guide Tours.

Tour guiding is an excellent option to see the world for the adventurous. Unsplash — Tour guiding is an excellent option to see the world for the adventurous.
Unsplash

If you want to share your passion for a place you adore, perhaps you’d enjoy tour directing or guiding. If you like managing logistics, tour directors are the ones who make a trip run smoothly for a group tour. Tour guides specialize in sharing their expertise in a specific area (i.e. museum guide or raft guide). Check out the International Tour Management Institute for information on trainings and their annual job symposium.

Salary: $20,000-$50,000/year

Originally written by RootsRated for Craghoppers.

Featured image provided by Steven Lewis