Working & travelling

[Greedyfly]

I have been wanting to travel for long time and have never left this country once. Now at 25 ive decied I am sick of the boredom and actually want to d something about it. I was wondering if anyone had any tips/personal experiences about travelling and working the world. No where specific, but I dont have any money, would probably only have enough to get to a destination and would have to work from there. I have looked on various websites and have found so good suggestions. Like working festivals such as Oktoberfest etc.. Teaching holidays... Volunteer work. I just want to get as many opinions and info as I can before I actually go. I cant actually leave until I have finished paying off the rest of my debt which is in about 2 years, but planning now will ensure I am in the know and that I have something to look forward too. Thanks. Any great websites you can suggest will be welcome too please. Also I will have someone tp travel with.

[coccinelle]

For starters, always have enough money available to get home wherever you are at short notice; you never know what can happen back home.
Finding work in USA is nearly impossible (or has been) unless you're prepared to work for back handers. Japan take on english teachers in the rural areas quite easily but the kids don't speak english so best have some experience in that way.
Volunteer work is no problem but you don't get paid but food and shelter is provided.
I'll let someone else continue...

[jno]

try googling for gap year websites. That in effect is what you plan to do, though you're not between school and university and it might not be a year.

[whiskygalore]

I've been researching options for a career break too this year, so have listed a few websites below. Most of these are related to volunteering overseas, as this is what I'm going to do, but some of the sites have sections about paid work, too. The first one listed is a compendium of links and advice and the best starting point I have found.

http://www.thecareerbreaksite.com/
http://www.frontier.ac.uk/gap_year//
http://www.gapyear.com/
http://www.volunteer.org.nz/
http://www.bunac.org/uk/
http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/default. asp
http://www.projects-abroad.co.uk/
http://www.raleighinternational.org/our-expedi tions/career-breaksretirement

[Rosetta]

Good luck to you. Its a great thing to do when you are young and not tied down by mortgages etc. Its also an advantage to have someone else with you.

Have fun.

[Greedyfly]

Thanks guys

[eash]

I came back from travelling Australia and NZ in June this year. I went for a year and it was great!
Definitely try and go sooner rather than later as some visas are restricted to age. For example Oz and NZ you can only get working holiday visas up to the age of 30.
I worked in offices while in Oz but many of the friends I met and made while out there did fruit picking or cattle/farm work. This can actually extend your visa too if you do this type of work. A normal working holiday visa lasts a year.
You'll have an awesome time and meet loads of people and make new friends, I thoroughly recommend going travelling :-)

The websites I used to help me plan my trip were:
http://www.gapyear.com
http://www.lonelyplanet.com
Both of these are full of some great tips and advice from people who have been there, done that, got the T-shirt!

I ended up booking my trip through:
http://www.realgap.com
Just to put my mum's mind at ease but you can easily do it yourself. :-)

Wherever you end up going you will enjoy yourself and have fun!

Good luck!

[eash]

Sorry that should have been http://www.realgap.co.uk

[terambulan]

Try the VSO; my son did this in San Franciso, (horticulture). Enjoyed the experience and learned a lot about flora & fauna; and wild bears!

http://www.vso.org.uk/volunteering/index_stand ard.asp

[Jenga]

I remember reading about fruit picking in Greece and getting free accommodation and earning enough to travel onto Turkey after the season. I think I remember the season started about March/April. I thought it sounded worth doing if I was free and not working. You could look into that if that is your cup of tea? At least it's not too far to fly to and come home from.

[mikey0118]

I would not plan anything extravagant until you are sure that you like what's on offer outside of the UK. To have not left the country before and then to suddenly up and leave for several months is likely to be a daunting experience.

Even with debts to pay off, now is a perfect time to see some of Europe, especially with Ryanair offering a number of free flights or flights for just a few pence. Get yourself over to Spain, Italy, France etc for a day or two and sample another country's culture before making any commitments.