What job were you doing?

Reporter – Intern

Jobs in Australia - Sydney Harbor Bridge

Why did you choose to work there?

I was living in Wollongong at the time and the regional newspaper The Illawarra Mercury was based there. My journalism tutor suggested I apply for an internship there so I did. By doing an internship it meant that I studied less courses for my MA.

How did you find the job (website, paper, etc.)?

I moved out to Australia to do a MA in Journalism. Part of the MA involved an internship at a regional daily newspaper. In my interview the editor asked which area of reporting I was least interested in and I told him sports. This probably wasn’t the best answer for a “pommy Sheila” to give a redneck newspaper editor and on my first day I was thrown in the deep end as he handed me a cricket story. It might sound macabre, but I was relieved at lunchtime when I was sent to cover a drowning story. That story made the front page, while my cricket report was on the back.

What was your day to day routine?

I started work in the office at 9 am. I was given press releases to follow up in the morning and often had to write up sports stories and correct badly written ones. This was a challenge for someone who did not know the difference between rugby union and rugby league. I normally asked my sports crazy friend if he could sense check it before I submitted it. In the afternoon I’d go out with a photographer to cover a story. This was the best part of the day as I got to see a lot of the NSW coastline and countryside. I’d have small stories to write like interviewing a local artist but bigger responsibilities such as covering the education supplement. I’d go to local schools and interview the teachers and kids and write up different aspects of the school which I really enjoyed. Each day at the newspaper was different and I covered everything from the war on terror to swimming galas.

What was the salary like?

As I was on a student visa and the work was part of my degree programme I was not paid but the experience was invaluable and when I finished my newspaper internship I moved to a second internship at a magazine in Sydney – the freebies were great! (Learn more about working in Sydney Australia here)

Is accommodation included if not, is there accommodation locally and do you know what’s the cost?

I shared a flat with a friend while I was doing my MA and working. A two bedroom flat (one street away from the beach) with a balcony with a sea view cost me about £65 a week!

Would you recommend this type of job? Do you feel this experience will help you with your career?

There aren’t too many places where you can lie in the sun sipping award-winning Shiraz whilst writing up an interview, but Australia is one.

Although I was not paid for the work, if you are abroad and have the time, or are studying abroad internships or work experience is invaluable. I would not have been given such an opportunity here in the UK and since returning I have edited 5 magazines, interviewed Jean Christophe Novelli, have been published and more importantly paid on several occasions. The work I did in Australia started off my portfolio, gave me a good grounding in all aspects of journalism and when I returned to the UK freelance commissions soon followed.

What’s the night life like?

Wollongong was a small student town about one hour from Sydney which has a great nightlife although a little more expensive on a student/intern budget. Don’t forget your ID security have been known to ID 40 year olds even though the drinking age is 18!

Are there other things to do like sports/beach/tourist attractions?

Where do I start? If you like sports you can’t beat Australia. The beaches are also amazing and Wollongong is a top surfing destination. Sydney has all the usual offerings with my favourite hangouts being The Rocks and Darling Harbour, Manley and Palm Beach for scenery and the George Street for shopping.

What’s so good about working out there?

There was not the long hour’s culture as in the UK – people actually want to leave the office. Although I was an intern most reporters worked 9 to 5 and at the magazine it was a relaxed dress down culture.

Do you plan to work abroad again (or have you since you worked there)?

Yes, I would love to return to Australia to work in journalism or marketing. I’d also like to set up a hotel or spa in Australia or SE Asia, if I had the money and some helpers!

Out of interest did you go to College or Uni in the UK?

I graduated with a 2:1 in media studies and Swedish from UEA where I’d spent three years writing for the student newspaper Concrete and enrolling on every available photography and writing course. After graduation I knew I wanted to study journalism and I wanted to go to Australia, and thought: why not combine the two?

How long is your contract?

I have been teaching here for 5 months. My contract is for one year, but I plan on coming back to teach for an additional year.

What was the salary like?

The average teacher makes around 2.2million won per month, which includes housing. The won has not been doing so great these days so English teachers have seen a drop in their salary. However, I came here to experience a new culture and meet new people, which is exactly what I have been doing. I am still able to send money back to the states, pay off college loans, and still have spending money in South Korea.

English Teaching Jobs in South Korea

Would you recommend teaching abroad?

Teaching English abroad is definitely the way to go. It is a great way to explore the world, meet amazing people, and get real world experience all while getting paid to do it. It is the perfect job for recent graduates, or anyone for that matter, who don’t know what career path they want to pursue.

Do you need to get a TEFL qualification to teach in South Korea?

The only thing you need to teach English in Korea is a 4-year degree. You do not need a TEFL qualification to teach in South Korea. However, those with TEFL qualifications, education degrees, or experience with teaching will receive a higher salary.

How did you prepare for teaching in the classroom?

I went to my college professors for help. All of my professors were extremely excited about my opportunity and eager to share their advice. I still keep in touch with them and continue to get advice from them. Once you are here, it is also helpful to ask your English-speaking co-workers for any advice they may have.

What was your day-to-day routine?

The usual schedule for English teachers is 3-10pm or 4-11pm with an hour lunch break. My school has four, 70 minute class periods per day. I spend the beginning of my day prepping for each class. The rest of the day I am in the classroom or enjoying a break period.

What’s the nightlife like?

The nightlife in Seoul is absolutely crazy! It is a 24-hour city with people up at all hours of the day and night. There are tons of foreign districts filled with people from all over the world who are simply enjoying life. You meet so many people who are teaching English, so it is great to know that you have a common bond with someone wherever you go.

What activities did you get up to outside of teaching?

My favourite activity is hiking on the weekends. I also enjoy visiting the many temples and other various sites around Korea. The ocean is really close, so it is always fun to take a weekend trip and soak up some sun. Shopping is huge here so I obviously go shopping as often as possible!

Is there much opportunity to travel?

It is possible to travel to other countries, but you have to do careful planning and make sure you give your employer plenty of notice before you travel. Most teachers receive 10 paid vacation days. There are also a lot of Korean holidays on Friday or Monday, which free up your weekend for any type of trip.

What was the highlight of your experiences?

My best times have been meeting all of the amazing people and eating the delicious Korean food! I love living in such a diverse city with so much action. Every day is a new experience for me.

Were there any difficulties teaching in South Korea?

Teaching has definitely been the easiest job I have ever had. The first couple of days can be quite challenging as you are adjusting to a new culture as well as a new job. You have so many people to go to for help and advice. Prior to this, I had no teaching experience, and I have been doing just fine!

What qualities do you think someone needs to teach in South Korea?

Most people think that you have to have an education degree to be a good teacher, but I do not agree with that. Some of the most important aspects of a great teacher are having an open mind and one who enjoys being around children. Korean children are so eager to learn from a foreign teacher that it really makes teaching so much easier and enjoyable.

How can they apply?

I am actually a recruiter so you can e-mail me at meghanpfaff@yahoo.com. You can also check out the website at www.eslpia.com where you can fill out an application and get additional information on teaching in South Korea.

Teach English Abroad

Many of the largest graduate recruiters are international businesses; they need employees who can demonstrate they can adapt to working abroad.

The majority of travelers look for a job overseas at some point during their gap year to increase their dwindling funds. Work can either earn or save the traveller crucial cash.

Working abroad is a realistic opportunity for summer holiday adventures and is a fabulous way to meet new people, retain independence and of course to earn some money.

On my gap year I took advantage of unpaid opportunities where I traded work for board and lodging. I helped clean the hostels I stayed in when visiting cities and through WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) I stayed on some amazing farms. WOOFF enabled me to visit peaceful places off the well-trodden traveler routes, the work was really enjoyable and the unspoilt views were out of this world. I feel my experiences working abroad greatly added to whole overall traveling experience.

But if trade is not for you, and you want to earn real money working abroad then teaching English is an ideal opportunity. This is perfect working abroad experience to impress graduate recruiters.

The most commonly accepted qualification is a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate. A qualification is not required in some countries but with the certificate there are opportunities to work abroad in innumerable countries. You don’t even need to speak the local language!

Jo Stucky, a friend from university, lives in Sicily teaching English. She went out there four years ago meaning to stay a few months, get some experience working abroad and have an adventure. Jo enjoyed Italy so much she is still living there in the sunshine, with a lower cost of living, great restaurants and buzzing café culture.

“My decision to work abroad stemmed from both circumstance and childhood dream. Finding myself going nowhere in my first job after university, I decided to seize the moment and fulfill my dream of learning Italian and living abroad. Thinking back over the last few years has made me realize how many challenges I’ve got through. Arriving with an Italian vocabulary limited to ‘ciao’ certainly made life difficult but hardly impossible!

Even though I’ve only gone as far as Italy, there certainly are cultural differences that you need to get your head round at the beginning. You have days where you can sometimes feel a bit of an alien! However, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. After four years abroad, my Italian’s certainly improved which, in turn, has opened up new opportunities on the work front. And, of course, I don’t overcook pasta anymore!

I think living and working abroad is one of the most positive things you can do. It is a challenge but the satisfaction you get is second to none.”

What job were you doing?

Mainly bar work, but i have tried my hand at Pring, Waitressing, Hostessing, selling photo keyrings and I’ve also been a shot girl!

Why did you choose to work there?

I had worked a few months in Faliraki in 2002 and I wanted to do it again somewhere else. My friend suggested Magalluf and i thought why not!

Party Jobs in Magalluf

How did you find the job (website, paper, etc.)?

Word of mouth! Everyone was really helpful my first year because everybody has done it themselves. They tell you where they’ve heard there are jobs going.

What was your day to day routine?

Wake up early afternoon, go to the beach and sunbathe most of the day! Sometimes if it was a bit cloudy we’d go to a bar and drink and play pool! Now I live here permanently, it’s a bit different. I tend to go into Palma shopping, lounge by the pool or spend time with my boyfriend and our dog.

What was the salary like?

A lot better than I expected. It usually starts at about €40 per night depending on the bar – and that’s good considering most places let you drink for free. So when you finish work and go out, you don’t need to spend as much on drinks!

Is accommodation included if not, is there accommodation locally and do you know whats the cost?

My first year my first boss helped me find accommodation. But there are almost always signs up for apartments to rent and people looking for room mates. There’s also a really good local paper for English that always has apartments in the back!

Would you recommend this type of job?

Definitely! It’s addictive though. I came out here in summer 2004, came back in summer 2005 and then ended up moving myself out here permanently in 2006! It’s something people will remember forever! Note – Find out more about clubbing jobs in Europe on another page of WAM!.

Do you need to be qualified?

Not at all! As long as you’re outgoing and enjoy a good laugh you’ll fit in anywhere! I’d never even worked behind a bar when i first came.

What’s the night life like?

Varied! There’s so much to choose from depending on your tastes! A lot of the bars play the same music, although new places are opening every year offering different things. There are clubs that play house, clubs that play RnB, clubs that play old skool!

Are there other things to do like sports/beach/tourist attractions?

There are loads of beaches scattered around Magalluf and Palma Nova, with all the water sports and pedlos! TWO water parks! Marineland, a place with dolphin shows and lots of other marine life to see, just a 5 minute bus journey!

The most amazing show in the world – “Pirates.” I have been so many times, it’s great! Fantastic acrobatics along with a comical story line! It’s a #1 attraction for tourists and workers alike! There’s Gold Fantasia in Palma Nova, which is a large, popular, crazy golf course! New in Magalluf in 2007 was the House of Katmandu, which is a kinda Indiana Jones themed museum, with lots of modern and interactive things for all ages based around a story.

For the brave, there’s a bungee ball called “The Slingshot,” I’m sure I don’t need to explain what that is! For those who like shopping, just a 15 minute bus ride will take you to Porto Pi a fantastic shopping centre or a bit further on there’s Palma city centre! There is also a sports centre close to the centre of Magalluf with a gym and a football pitch!

What’s so good about working out there?

A lot. It’s a totally different lifestyle over here. Everyone works hard and plays hard. I’ve made the bestest of friends out here over the last few years because such fab people come to work here. What’s better than laying on the beach everyday and partying every night? Even being at work over here feels like a party!

Tell us about the best and worst bits!

Worst bits…You do get your idiots! Those people who think they can handle all the free shots and then just turn into proper losers, get into fights or be sick everywhere! I swear somedays I see too much vomit!

Best bits are the nice people you meet. Tourists and workers! I’m in contact still with a lot of people I’ve met who come on holiday here, people who I’ve worked with here and people who want to come and work here! How can I forget that the weather is also one of the best bits! Also it’s just such a good laugh!

Are there any negatives?

Maybe for the people who get homesick! I’ve always been quite independent, but I do have my days when I just want my mum!

Did you make some new friends?

Ha ha! I’ve already said enough about this one! You don’t make some new friends, you make loads of new friends!

Do you plan to work abroad again (or have you since you worked there)?

I now have my residency here and live here all year around!

Do you have any advice for other people who want to work there?

Do it! If you’re already thinking about it and don’t do it you will always be wondering “what if I had?” Even if you come here and don’t like it (you will!), it’s only a plane journey back home!

Do you feel this experience will help you with your career?

My career will be here in Mallorca when I decide what I want to do!

Out of interest did you go to College or Uni in the UK?

I tried college, but I get frustrated just sitting in a classroom, so I left after a couple of months. I like being out and about doing things. I know many people, though, that have come here and worked a summer after taking a year out before going to uni.

If Uni or College, which one and what did you study?

I studied psychology, English literature and social studies.

Have a Winning CV

1. Presentation is important. Don’t hand-write your CV, or use wacky typefaces or colored paper. Arial or Times New Roman will do fine, in 10, 11 or 12 point.

2. Pay attention to layout: make your resume easy to read by spacing sections out and keeping margins generous.

3. Use a ‘professional’ sounding email address such as (your real name)@hotmail.com rather than kitty_kat_ibiza_angel@email.com

4. Keep it simple. Weigh up information that has to be on there with stuff that’s more suited to conversation at interview.

5. Use active verbs (such as ‘achieved’, ’set up’, ‘managed’, ‘led’) to make you sound positive and dynamic.

6. Don’t use bullet points: prose is easier to read and allows you to get more description into the same space.

7. Proofread (for spelling errors, misuse of words or poor grammar). Then do it again.

8. Then ask someone else to do it, too.

9. One last check: has the CV got your name, address, phone number and email address on it?

10. If you’re applying for more than one kind of job, you’ll need more than one CV. Have a ’skeleton’ CV but be prepared to change the order of things around or highlight particular skills or experiences to fit the job you’re going for.

What job are you doing?

I worked as a dolphin trainer.

Work with Dolphins in Bermuda

Why did you choose to work there?

I have a friend who works here and she recommended their internship program to me.

How did you find the job (website, paper, etc.)?

Initially through my friend, and then the Dolphin Quest website www.dolphinquest.org.

Can you describe your day to day routine?

Assisting in the training, feeding and veterinary care of the dolphins. Running interactive swim programs with guests. Preparing fish, washing buckets and various other daily duties. Also helping in other areas of the facility including photography and guest services.

What is the salary like?

It’s an unpaid internship but a great way to gain experience in marine mammal care.

Is accommodation included?

Accommodation is not included but there is intern accommodation available at the facility at a cost of $40 per night. (£20 per night)

Would you recommend this type of job?

If you like dolphins and have an interest in working with animals this type of job is definitely for you! There’s lots of hands on experience and the opportunity to learn about these amazing animals.

Do you need to be qualified?

Although not required, it helps to have a degree in biology or psychology and also some previous experience working with animals.

What’s the night life like?

The night life in Bermuda is good but it depends on the time of year. The island is quite reliant on tourism and therefore outside the holiday months it can get pretty quiet.

Are there other things to do like sports/beach/tourist attractions?

Bermuda is a small island, there are many amazing beaches and also some great golf courses. The tourist attractions include an aquarium and zoo and a maritime museum.

Have you made some new Friends?

Of course. The crew at Dolphin Quest Bermuda are all extremely friendly and happy to help teach all the things you need to know. They are a great bunch of people and I will be staying in contact with all of them.

Do you plan to work abroad again?

My intention is to try and get a permanent position as a trainer and this will mean working abroad as dolphin training opportunities are limited in England!!

Do you feel this experience will help you with your career?

Without a doubt, participating in this internship will only help to improve my CV and provide me with the experience I need to find a position in the field of marine mammal care.

Tell us about the best and worst bits!

Working with animals can be hard work. There are lots of buckets to scrub and fish to prepare. But if you don’t mind getting elbows deep in fish guts then you can endure the worst this job has to offer!

Obviously working with the dolphins is amazing, I also worked with 3 baby dolphins which had been born in June, working with them was definitely a great experience. It was really interesting to see the early stages of their development. Working so closely with them really gives you the opportunity to get to know each one individually.

Building a relationship with the animals and learning their personalities is definitely one of the highlights of the job!

12 – 3pm – Wake up, hit the beaches or pools / get boats out, cliff diving, water parks etc.
5-9pm – Eat, get ready 4 work and go
7-10pm – Everyone’s at work setting up the bars getting ready for the night ahead
10-3/5am – Work, whilst drinking (a lot of drinking) have fun with colleagues/owners/customers
3-7/8am – Party every night with the workers (we’re out every night)
7/8am – Get food at various fast food restaurants then go to bed and do it all again the next day!!!

When I decided I wanted to have a fun, sun soaked summer with a good bit of partying, I decided the Greek islands would be a perfect destination. So I booked my holiday to with a mate for a week to Laganas.

I booked it for the beginning of the season which was good because all the venues in Laganas were looking for staff at this time. Just in case I couldn’t find work I could always fly home with my return ticket from the UK so I was reassured knowing, that I wouldn’t be stuck in a strange place.

As soon as you get there the heat hits you so hard that you’re itching to hit the pools and beaches! So that’s exactly what we did! We found the resort quiet but it gave us time to look around at where we would be hopefully working and living for the next few months. Tip – Look into Greek resort jobs for the summer with InGlobe (see our profile).

Party Jobs in Zante, Greece

At night, I recommend you go out and cut loose! Enjoy the bars and experience the strip. It’s important to make friends with bar staff and even the owners. But don’t ask for a job the first night, as you may forget where you asked (especially after all the free alcohol shots they’ll give you). So Enjoy the nights as this will be your holiday and the majority of places won’t give you a night off throughout the summer so have fun this week.

When looking for a job think about where you have been and where you think you will mostly enjoy it. Whether you’re a DJ, promoter, bartender, waitress, etc., with over 100 bars in Laganas finding work isn’t hard. Start at the top of the strip and work your way down going in every bar! Even beach bars are great to work in if you want to work in the day (whilst catching a tan). If you can’t find a job just ask people in the bars for advice. Everyone knows each other and most people are happy to help. The same applies for accommodation – apartments and rooms are all over Laganas but sometimes the best circumstances are found through word of mouth. This also helps you make new friends around the resort and you will find that these friends will become your new family throughout the summer and even after…

Although you are likely to work 7 days a week it’s all really fun work! (7 Days?) Don’t sweat it. I wouldn’t compare it to working a job in the UK because working in Zante is so much fun.  You meet so many interesting people. Customers from Scooby Doo to Santa Claus (not even mentioning the Playboy bunnies EVERYNIGHT). The customers you meet out in Zante are generally nice enough to get along with, if you can have a laugh with them and help them take the pain away from the sun burn they will tip you more than often which will help you pay for those extra drinks later on!  And I’m sure the boss will love you for it too!

As you’re a worker nearly everywhere in the resort will give you a workers discount. In bars restaurants, bike and car rentals, everywhere! So enjoying yourself is easy.

The workers army (as we like to call it) normally arrange days for us all to get to know each other better by arranging days out like going to the water park, renting nearly every boat in Laganas bay and have a party on Turtle Island and not to mention the countless amount of workers parties held in and around Laganas! The days are great and you get to meet everyone and generally go mad whilst having Zante’s best DJs playing just for you!

For those who like a bit of entertainment, Zante workers have an annual flair competition which is always a great day out on the beach (normally).

So book ya holiday, find ya job, find ya apartment, and enjoy the lazy summer days and wild summer nights – see you soon.

Dan Marks
Zante worker 2005-2008

‘So, I’ve got my visa, now I need to organise a job…Where am I going to stay? I’d better book somewhere…’

These tend to be the thoughts that go through a first time traveler’s mind – certainly did with me anyway! I left school at 18 and got ready to spend 12 months away, travelling and working. With a work visa for New Zealand and a return flight to Australia, I wanted to try and be organized and slightly planned, because it not only puts your mind at rest, but also reassures the family and friends you are leaving behind. However, once you set off you realize one of the wonders of traveling is that you really do not need to plan!

Organic Farming Jobs in Australia

I began my travels in New Zealand and before I left I organized work in a vineyard for a few weeks, after seeing an advert on a website. One of the joys of working around a country such as New Zealand is that it caters perfectly for casual, seasonal workers, due to the number of farms and exported produce. No work came from the vineyard, so I found a job in a bar and worked there for a week.

You shouldn’t just wait for notices in windows of shops/cafés advertising vacancies – walk in, smile, be confident and you will be more likely to come out with a job than if you hang back. What you must remember is that employers have a high turn-over of staff, especially in popular places, and so tend to employ more people than usual.

Working Hostels

One top tip to those wanting to work and travel down under is to find a ‘working hostel.’ They are scattered around both Australia and New Zealand, and they help you to realize you do not need to organize jobs before you reach your destination. Have a peek in a Lonely Planet guide or travelers’ websites, so you can contact the hostels before arrival if you need peace of mind. The owners have contacts in the local area, so always have jobs available. Check which season you are visiting though because the vacancies often get filled quickly during low-season.

The best thing about the hostels is the socializing. In any hostel, you will meet lots of people but at working hostels almost everyone is in the same boat as you, so when you come home after a hard day picking peas, or pruning apple trees, you can chill out with others. You also get the benefits of eating the produce, from pineapples to asparagus! Many people say that they would hate work like fruit-picking, but I feel that you should always have a go – it’s fun, sociable, and you keep fit whilst topping up your tan! If you do not like the job that you have been given, or you feel you are being mistreated or underpaid, don’t be afraid to voice your thoughts! Many people keep quiet and inevitably do not have such a good time. The owners are on your side, and they are always willing to help or find you another job.

In this type of work the wages vary enormously, and tend to be contract rather than hourly.

Contract work is the best if you are a hard worker, because you are paid by how much you pick or how many rows you prune, for example. Employers often have people that do not speak great English, so that they can take advantage of them easily. I found I became the spokesperson for my group, because what they can sometimes do is change the pay halfway through the jobs. As soon as they realize you have your wits about you, they tend not to mess you about again.

If you are only staying in a place for a couple of weeks, then this sort of work is ideal as employers follow the seasons and harvesting can sometimes only last two weeks. You could find yourself working with the locals, who vary from farmers who’ve been there for years, to young teenagers filling their summer holidays. This makes it really nice, because you feel more like a local, rather than a tourist.

When I was working in the awesome town of Queenstown, in New Zealand, I spent 6 months living in a hostel that was just like home, with a log-fire and young owners. I worked in a restaurant and a café, and got to know many of the locals so bagged a free hang-glide trip and cheap snowboarding equipment. When working in a town like Queenstown, you get a locals rate when booking onto adventure activities. The trick when working out how much you will get paid is not to convert it into English pounds! I was being paid NZ$12-13 (£4.50), which was a good rate for that time. You have to remember that it is all relative. The cost of living is so much cheaper, so you spend less.

New Zealand Ski Season Jobs

Many people love the idea of working a ski season in another country, and I was no exception. I bought my season pass for the mountains around Queenstown for £100, all my snowboarding kit for another £100 and I was set for 3 months of fun! If you are prepared to work hard and play hard then this is the life for you. Hitch-hiking up the mountain after a day at work is brilliant. New Zealanders are great people to work for and will always give you lifts up the mountain. The main tip, in contradiction to the rest of this article, is to plan and know by March whether you are going to be spending the winter season in the area. This will ensure you get the season pass cheaply, because from March onwards they steadily increase in price. The town is backpacker central, so after June it is virtually impossible to find a job because everybody else has got there first! The trick is to visit earlier in the year, spend the summer there or simply just get contacts, then travel the country and go back once the winter season begins.

Whitsunday Islands

Anyone who has visited Australia will know about the amazing Whitsunday Islands-Australia’s version of Paradise. Almost all backpackers spend 3 days on a boat, traveling around, snorkelling, diving and visiting the stunning beaches. Every boat has a skipper, a deckhand, and a host (i.e., cook), and often a volunteer that helps in all areas too. For those who love being on the water or simply want a challenge, I suggest volunteering on one of the many boats that do regular trips. I paid to go on one trip, loved it, and then visited companies in Airlie Beach (the gateway to the Whitsundays) until I found a boat to join. It is perfectly legal to work on the boats because you are getting food and accommodation in return, rather than money. The work is hard but you play hard too, so it’s well worth it. There are not many opportunities in life to wake up every morning to clear blue sea and turtles swimming around you!

If you have time to hang around, confidence and a basic knowledge of sailing, you’re probably ideally suited for a crewing job on a boat up the coast, or from one pacific island to another. The best place to look for a job such as this is on notice boards in yacht clubs.

Willing Workers on Organic Farms

Many travellers decide to WWOOF around the world (funny name I know, but it stands for Willing Workers on Organic Farms). If you are interested, you can become a member for a small cost, and you receive a booklet listing all the hosts in a specific country. Members do not need a work visa for the country, and can spend as little as a weekend with a household, or even a few months working from 2 to 6 hours a day, in return for food and accommodation. It is worth being wary of some places though, because they can take advantage of volunteers by making them work longer than 6 hours, so make sure you put your foot down! The best way is to commit to a short period of time, and then only extend your stay if you are truly happy.

Jobs Abroad in New Zealand

In Byron Bay in Australia, I WWOOFed for a really cool couple, working in their café for 4 hours a day. What is nice about this type of work is that you get your dose of home-life, as when you’ve been away for a while you tend to miss the cosiness of home.

When you travel you meet so many people along the way that it is easier if you can be flexible with your plans. If you are traveling solo, working abroad is a great way to meet potential traveling partners for a part of your trip.

Overall, I believe that it is so beneficial working in a country, rather than simply traveling around, taking pictures, and leaving. You feel more at home, make more friends (who you can visit another time!), whilst getting experience in varying fields of work.

The most important thing is to be confident and not be scared of not knowing exactly where you will be working, or what you will be doing, two weeks down the line.

My advice is to be spontaneous, and enjoy all that a new and exciting country can offer you! Talk to me through my Facebook page or join the Working Abroad Magazine group on Facebook where there is a discussion board, and people who have worked in Oz and New Zealand can tell you more about what it’s really like!

Have Fun!

What job were you doing?

Character Performer.

Why did you choose to work there?

I was a big Disney fan and in a way it was like a three month working holiday.

Disney Jobs in the USA

How did you find the job?

I got it through Yummy Jobs.

Do you need to be qualified?

No, but I think you have to be a college or university student or a recent graduate due to visa restrictions.

What was your day-to-day routine?

My shifts and days varied but once at work I would collect my costume and then do a set which would last for 20-30 minutes meeting park guests. I then had the rest of that hour in the break room re-hydrating and getting changed (you still get paid for this). I did about 8 sets a day, you would get about 2 days off each week.

What was the salary like?

It was about $6.40 an hour, which isn’t great but the cost of living is cheaper so it was enough to live on. Also, apart from staff discount in the parks and free theme park entry, many restaurants and shops in the local area gave Disney discount to staff members.

Is accommodation included?

You stay in Disney-sponsored accommodation, which are spacious apartments near to Disney World. You usually have to share a room and apartments are shared between 4 and 6 people. The more people you share with the less your rent is. The rent comes out of your pay packet and it varies from $60-$80 dollars a week. They provide free transport to and from all the housing complexes to work – in other words all of the Disney complex. They also have free buses that run to the Florida Mall and supermarkets.

What’s the nightlife like?

Inside Disney World they have Pleasure Island which is a night time entertainment complex with night clubs, restaurants, shops and bars. There’s also live music and a comedy club. Entrance to Pleasure Island is free for Disney staff members and most places give discounts on food and merchandise so you can usually have a cheap night out. There are also many other bars and restaurants around Orlando which are in walking distance, or you can get a bus or taxi to downtown Orlando.

Are there other things to do like sports/beach/tourist attractions?

There are beaches such as Clearwater and Miami isn’t too far although you would have to hire a car to go to these places. International Drive has many other tourist attractions like the non-Disney parks Seaworld and Universal Studios. You can get a taxi to these quite cheaply or there are special bus services.

What’s so good about working out there?

You meet and live with people from all over the world and make great friends. Generally the work is not difficult and the emphasis is on fun and giving the guests the best experience possible, which in turn is very rewarding. Also the perks of free theme park entry are pretty hard to beat as it would cost much more to go on holiday there.

Tell us about the best and worst bits!

The best bits are making some really good friends and learning lots about yourself. The worst bit is probably the low pay and sometimes you work long hours.

Are there any negatives?

Only when you have to get up at four in the morning to start a 12 hour shift after finishing work at 11pm the night before. You work about 35-40 hours a week and because they are shifts, sometimes the way they are scheduled is annoying.

Did you make some new friends?

Yes, lots. I keep in touch with them by email as some live in America, Canada and Hong Kong. I feel like an experience like this bonds you with the people you live and work with so I believe I have made life-long friendships.

Do you plan to work abroad again?

I am planning to go back to Disney for six months when I graduate. I’d also like to do some volunteer work in Australia or Africa.

Do you feel this experience will help you with your career?

I think it will as Disney is such an elite company so it looks good on any C.V. It makes you stand out from the crowd a bit more.

Would you recommend this type of job?

Absolutely, I gained so much out of my experience and working in Disney World really feels like a fantasy!

I was a podium Dancer for one on the most popular bars on Magalluf Strip – Alex’s.

Why did you choose to work there?

I went there on holiday the previous year and loved it. I knew I wanted to go back and try and get a job there for the summer. Alex’s plays the best R&B music around so I thought I would love to work there.

Magaluf Club Jobs - Be a Podium Dancer

How did you find the job?

I just walked in and asked for the Manager and said ‘have you got any jobs going’ which is the way most people find jobs there. You don’t need a CV for bar work, PR work or as a Dancer even though I have been learning to dance for years, I didn’t need to prove it.

Do all pubs and clubs there employ dancers?

The main bars and most popular ones may have dancers but for only a few hours a night when it is the busy time.

Did they interview you?

No, if they like you, they give you a trial night, which meant you would give the job a go for a night and if you were any good you would get hired and get paid for that night!

What was your day to day routine then?

I was very lazy during the day as I was dancing from 10 each night until 4 in the morning. I didn’t tend to get up till around 2, but that was ok as the sun was still strong so you could still go to the beach and get a tan! After the beach I tended to just go and chill out at one of the bars ­ Alex’s lounge was my fave, it’s a chill out lounge and there are three different bars. Alex’s Indie, Alex’s R&B, and Alex’s Lounge. During the day Alex’s Lounge is very popular for the workers as everyone would tend to go there late afternoon to hang out and have a drink or 2!

What was the salary like?

The salary was average 50 euros a night, (about £28) maybe during mid season if you’re doing well it would go up to 60 a night.

Is accommodation included?

Not with the job but there is a lot of accommodation available locally. We had a flat 30 seconds walk (crawl) from Magalluf strip. The cost of our apartment with kitchen and bathroom was 350 euros a week which sounds steep but when there are 4­5 of you sharing its not so bad! Ours was a two bed apartment with a bed settee in the lounge. You could get cheaper ones than that, there’s a lot of choice.

Would you recommend working as a dancer?

Yes I would, you don’t have to have qualifications in dance, you just need to show that you are there to have a good time and that you are a hard worker. Also, when I was working out there my shifts were 6 hours a night 6­7 days a week, it was hot and I lost over a stone in weight through the constant exercise, so stamina is definately needed.

Well everyone knows that Magalluf is the party capital but are there other things to do like sports/beach/tourist attractions?

There are plenty of things you can do, lots of excursions, but the shopping trips are the best days out! Palma is an amazing city. Down at the beach there are a lot of water sports, jet skis, banana boats, lots of things to keep you and your mates happy…

Tell us about the worst and the best bits?

The best thing is that you don’t have to rush all the time like a lot of people do in England you just take your time to chill, relax… Plus earning the money by doing something I love is even more of a bonus!

The worst bits I would say are the hangovers the next morning, but the beach and smelling that sea air soon sorts you out! You make so many new friends and soon enough you’re part of a little community and you all know each other and get on really well, there wasn’t one person I disliked out there!

Do you plan to work abroad again?

Yes! I heard it rained all summer in the UK when I was in Magalluf last year! I’ll be back there in March to have a break before starting the same job, to meet more new people and catch up with the old ones…Can’t Wait!

Do you feel this experience will help you with your career?

Yes, very much so as I want to be a professional dancer and to dance in a hot country for 6 hours a night 7 days a week will give me experience of what’s expected of you as a dancer.