Advice on working abroad

How to work abroad

Taking a gap year has become hugely popular over the past few years and, for many people, the best way to fund it is to work as you go. But working abroad can be more than just a way to make money. Those who have taken part in a working activity on a gap year have often gone back the year after for just a few weeks, because the experience has been so enjoyable. As such, working holidays for shorter periods of time – perhaps volunteering on a conservation project – have become popular choices in their own right. There is also a wealth of resources online and in the form of guidebooks to help you choose the perfect work abroad for you. They offer advice on where to go, what kind of work is available, who to contact, what paperwork you might need (e.g. visas), how much you might get paid and how the kind of work you do might benefit you in the future. Some also offer working opportunities that you can book in before you go. Six of the best sites to get you started include: www.payaway.co.uk www.realgap.co.uk www.gapwork.com www.anyworkanywhere.com www.bunac.org.uk www.overseasjobs.com

Don’t forget…

If you are going to be working abroad then there are certain basic things to remember:

• Depending on where you work and for how long, you may need a working visa or permit. Without one you could be seriously breaking the law. For example, one of the most popular places for UK residents to go and work is Australia, and in order to work here you will need to organise a one-year working visa before you go.
• The rate of exchange in the country you will be working in and the standard of living can make a real difference to how much you earn. Generally you should be earning enough to support you in the country you are in, but if you are working in a poorer country for example, and want to save and go on somewhere else it may be harder to do so. Taking some back-up money is ideal if you can.
• Some jobs do require certain skills or qualifications. Teaching English abroad does generally require that you hold a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate before you go – although some working holidays allow you to gain this certificate and then go on to teach afterwards. If you want to work with children as a nanny or au pair you may also need a childcare certificate or references at least. Make sure you don’t miss out – do your homework before you go.
• There are also a number of working holidays that require you to come up with some funds in order to take part. This includes volunteering positions with companies such as Raleigh International (www.raleigh.org.uk). The money is used to pay for your flights, accommodation, subsistence and also any materials you may need to complete the work. In some case, as with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) (www.vso.org.uk), you will need to be able to give your services for a certain period of time and work for free or the bare minimum in exchange for accommodation, food and the experience.

Staying insured

Whatever kind of holiday you choose, or for whatever reason you travel abroad, you should always invest in Travel Insurance to cover you for a range of emergencies including health, theft, cancellation and curtailment. Under Direct Line’s Discoverer policy you can undertake temporary work placements for up to 90 days, providing these jobs are not manual (construction), do not involve the care of children or involve the use, installation or maintenance of machinery. While this does mean we can’t insure you for nanny work or teaching children, we can cover you for temporary bar work, fruit picking or teaching English to adults abroad. You can find more details in your Direct Line Discoverer Travel Insurance Policy Document online.

Make sure you stay insured when you work abroad. Apply for a quote for Direct Line Travel Insurance today.