Working abroad
Photo: Flcikr user: perzon seo, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Does earning money while living in new and exciting surroundings sound appealing to you? Accepting employment overseas can offer both a cultural experience of living abroad and the possibility of new job skills. More people than ever are working abroad, so if you like the concept, consider what options are available to you. A large benefit of working abroad is that it can give you both the income and a base for further travel. For example, seeing Southeast Asia is certainly possible if you live on another continent – see Banana Pancake Trail for some of the routes – but it becomes much easier if you get a job for a few years in Singapore.
While this article deals with paid labour, there are also numerous volunteer jobs overseas. Also without taking a job abroad, business travel is common in many professions. Time and distance away from home vary a lot.
Understandto spend a substantial amount of time living somewhere other than where you grew up.
OrganizationsNearly all national governments send staff abroad for various reasons, mainly long-term government employees but also consultants or contractors for particular projects.
JobsA non-exhaustive list of some of the most typical skilled jobs offered abroad:
Starting a businessSome travellers settle in a country and start a business there.
Digital nomad workA digital nomad is someone who takes their work with them while travelling, typically working from a laptop in a café or hotel room in some interesting spot.
PrepareIf considering a long-term assignment in a country you haven't been to before, especially with family, pay a visit first, on your own time if necessary.
Expat lifeExpat life can be dull and lonely at times, but also exciting if one embraces new opportunities. In countries and regions less connected to the "outside world" than other parts, life can feel dull and uneventful.
Stay safeMillions of people from countries all over the world have great experiences working overseas. Excellent opportunities are out there, but there are serious risks as well, so be cautious and look out for yourself.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Working abroad" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Flcikr user: perzon seo, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons