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Working whilst travelling?

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I need the greatest advice on working whilst travelling....
11 years ago, April 29th 2012 No: 1 Msg: #155458  
Hey Guys!

I'm 28 and new to independent travel. First of all it's so refreshing to read the blog on here on how you are never too old to travel, I wish I had done it in my early twenties but things have prevented me from doing so (mainly fear and health).

Annnyway. I want to do it. I want to leave everything behind for a while. I'm terrified as I have never been to uni and have nothing (in regards to job and assets) to come back to. I literally have £2000 if that in the bank due how bad the work situation is where I live. But I just want to go...I need to find myself and desperate to heal my soul and I'm hoping travel will help. My birning question is how much money do I need to start off with? I'm hoping to venture to europe first or do a TEFL course? I obviously just want to leave as soon as I can but have very little money to do so so can anyone reccomend the best way to go about this ? Can I work whilst I travel to make money and live at the same time being that I don't have a lot to start off with? Any advice would be great, I need some hopeful news as I'm not happy where I am. Also....am I being completely stupid doing this, knowing that I have nowhere to live or job to come back to when I get back?? Scared...

Thanks everyone

Robyn x
[Edited: 2012 Apr 29 16:05 - RobynTee:238365 ]
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11 years ago, April 29th 2012 No: 2 Msg: #155473  
Hello Robyn, welcome to Travelblog!

Okay, I've never worked when travelling, but just want to provide a small piece of advice. If your funds are starting to drain, you need to go somewhere where your pound is going to last longer. Without a doubt, Asia is going to provide that. You could either try to do a course closer to the UK, but the cost of living whilst doing the course will be higher, whereas in some countries the cost of living is much cheaper. There are a few bloggers here who have undertaken the path you are thinking of, so I'm sure that they can provide some better guidance than me.

I have travelled for a long time and then returned to nothing, and I have to be honest, it is a scary situation. However, you may end (as with other bloggers on this site) not returning home for years, so therefore not having anything back in your usual country of residence doesn't matter. Reply to this

11 years ago, May 4th 2012 No: 3 Msg: #155705  
Hello, you very chic Oh, so the traveling is my dream Reply to this

11 years ago, May 5th 2012 No: 4 Msg: #155737  
Hi Robyn,

Welcome to Travelblog!

Where are you from? If you're in the UK (which, since you have mentioned pounds, I assume you are) and Europe is on your doorstep, then you could get a summer job somewhere there. Have you looked at being a holiday rep or a camp courier with someone like Eurocamp or Keycamp? I found this website that might give you some information Holiday break jobs . There may also be summer work in bars or restaurants around Europe.

What skills do you have? What is your current job? Any chance you could do that in another country? You are still within the age limit for an Australian or New Zealand work visa so if you have a skill that is in demand over there, you could do that.

With a lack of money and no degree, I would avoid a TEFL course right now. A lot of tefl jobs require a degree for the work visa so it may be difficult for you to find work after the initial outlay of the course.

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11 years ago, May 5th 2012 No: 5 Msg: #155752  
Hi There. I totally understand where you are coming from and it was a year ago exactly that my husband & I decided to travel full time and give up our home. We decided to buy a Motorhome to save on accommodation and travel (rail bus plane) fayres and planned to sell hand made jewellery on beaches around Europe. Our first trip lasted 26 weeks on the road in France, portugal, spain and back and we published a diary or blog of our experience on this site you can find us by name on the bloggers index.(michelleandstephenswan) if you want some money saving tips etc. We were on a shoestring budget and over our time including ferries deisel and food etc we only spent £2500 approx. What i would say to you is that you can work legally in the UK, Europe and further afield without major skills but the will to work hard and meet new people. and most importantly FREE OF CHARGE!!!! But first.......What are your circumstances???

Are you travelling alone?
Do you drive/own transport?
own a passport?

The reasons I ask is that it is usually safer to travel in numbers when backpacking or working in strange places with strange people. If you have a passport you can travel abroad to seek work and if you drive and own a car it will save you on travel expenses and packing a tent etc is also a money saving option.

When we were in spain we met a couple who told us about a scheme they were a part of that offers helpers to work for "hosts" globally. You pay a one off annual fee of only £18 each person but a couple could easily just register one of you as a member to access the "host" data base. You then contact the hosts who want helpers for various time scales doing a massive range of jobs from cleaning to gardening, dog sitting and more ..... the couple we met had just spent 2 weeks renevating an old building in the pyranees...... In return for your help the host offers you accommodation and food as part of the scheme. SIMPLE!!! We were going to register to this ourselves this year but had a lucky windfall. If it is something that you would like to look at it can save you a fortune and you can use your 2k for travel and other stuff. The name of the scheme is helpex. Take a look around their website and see what you think. And best of luck with your travels 😊

Michelle
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11 years ago, May 5th 2012 No: 6 Msg: #155754  
sorry Robyn google helpex.org and dont be afraid, Im sure everything will be fine and it will be a successful soul healing progress if you have any questions you can Email me at j<snip>

May peace love and light surround you hunny

Michelle x
[Edited: 2012 May 06 03:39 - Rat on the Road:23681 - Please contact the poster via the personal messaging system, as posting email addresses on forums attracts spam to your account.]
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11 years ago, May 8th 2012 No: 7 Msg: #155926  
This blog might be interesting to you.

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11 years ago, May 8th 2012 No: 8 Msg: #155937  
Wow, what a lovely overwhelming response. Lovely people you are!! Thanks for all the hints and tips, I'm definitely going to take up those options and advice once I get myself into a position where I can do some healing of the soul.

Michelle I will private message you for email as this site edited it out, thanks so much xx Reply to this

11 years ago, May 14th 2012 No: 9 Msg: #156146  
Decided to adopt this form of tourism, adequate preparations should be done prior to departure Reply to this

11 years ago, May 17th 2012 No: 10 Msg: #156322  
oh ,my god! Reply to this

11 years ago, June 17th 2012 No: 11 Msg: #157721  
B Posts: 8
Hi Robin!

SInce 2007 I don't really do anything only travelling and working. Well maybe that is more than nothing😊. I left my country with no money and went to volunteer to Ireland. In some communities you can earn pocket money while your accomodation and food also provided because you work for them. Forexapmle the worldwide famous L'Arche community. You can find it all over the world. They are very special. It depends what you able to do. Also true, Asia might be just the place to travel with low badget. In India I spent 3 month and used Couchsurfing and hostel services. Couchsurfing is a very great site I would suggest to go on it and look it up online. I use it since many years and never made me dissapointed. You can stay for free with local people because it's about giving a chance to each other to discover our cultures. Couchsurfing.com have a look!
Never be scared the world is full of travellers. Nowdays I think easier to travel than to stay in one place😊 Reply to this

11 years ago, June 18th 2012 No: 12 Msg: #157761  
Hi Robyn - me too, chucking in the job and heading off at the end of the year alone and I am fifty! I'm a bit nervous but I'm far more excited.
Im heading to India - talk about jumping in at the deep end - to start with then meandering across to SE Asia. Where were you thinking of going? Money wise Asia is definitely the best place to stretch your money as far as possible.
Will keep an eye on your blog - feel free to follow mine as well once I get away from here! Reply to this

11 years ago, June 24th 2012 No: 13 Msg: #157970  
In response to: Msg #157761

Hello Bekk D and welcome to Travelblog! Yes, India is certainly the deep end! Though it does depend where you go to some degree - south is a bit easier to adjust to them the north - but regardless, it is still a manic, noisy, and intense experience.

[Edited: 2012 Jun 24 02:57 - The Travel Camel:11053 ]
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