Travel And Work: Free Opportunities For Nomadic Souls

If you're looking to work and travel for free, there are a variety of options available to you. Volunteering is a popular choice, with many platforms such as Workaway, World Packers, and WWOOF offering opportunities to exchange your time and skills for free accommodation and sometimes food. These programs can be a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture and build meaningful connections with locals.

Another option is to find paid work that allows you to travel, such as teaching English abroad, working on a yacht or cruise ship, or becoming a flight attendant. These jobs often provide accommodation and meals, allowing you to explore new places without incurring high living costs.

Additionally, you can look into work exchange programs, where you exchange your abilities and time for accommodation and other perks. Trusted Housesitters, for example, offers free stays in exchange for house and pet-sitting.

Lastly, consider using your skills to teach online or work remotely as a digital nomad. This can provide the flexibility to work and travel simultaneously, as long as you have a stable internet connection.

Hitchhiking

• Choose a safe location: Select a spot where cars are moving slowly and have enough space to pull over safely. Avoid hitchhiking on highways, near intersections, or at bus stops, as this may be illegal in some places.
• Ask at gas stations: Approach drivers at gas stations and look for trustworthy people. Explain your situation and offer to chip in for gas. This gives you more control over your journey and helps establish a connection with the driver.
• Use a sign: A sign indicating your desired direction or destination can be helpful, especially if there's a major junction ahead. However, be aware that some drivers may be put off by far-off destinations.
• Make eye contact and smile: Remove sunglasses and keep your hat pushed back so that drivers can see your face. Smile, wave, and look cheerful to make a positive impression.
• Dress appropriately: Avoid wearing old or scary clothing. Opt for clean, bright, and colourful clothes that inspire trust. Conservative attire tends to work well with most drivers.
• Be flexible: Hitchhiking often involves unpredictability. Embrace the unexpected and be open to conversations with your drivers. You might make some interesting connections!
• Trust your instincts: If a situation doesn't feel right, decline the offer politely. Your safety should always come first.
• Know the local laws: Hitchhiking may be illegal in certain areas or road types. Ask locals for advice and be mindful of any regulations to avoid getting into trouble.
• Plan your route: Carry a map or use digital tools like Google Maps to navigate. Knowing the language, even just a little, can also be helpful when asking for directions or communicating with drivers.
• Be prepared: Bring essential items like food, water, a map, a marker, a hat, a flashlight, sunscreen, and a small first aid kit. Consider taking a foldable bike as backup transportation.
• Travel with a companion: Hitchhiking with a friend can provide company and an extra layer of safety. If you're travelling alone, let someone know your plans and intended route.

Volunteering

Free Volunteer Programs

• Peace Corps: Travel to and from project sites, room and board, and a stipend are provided to volunteers. This is a US government program with a two-year commitment and a rigorous application process.
• Habitat for Humanity: Help build houses and other structures like latrines and schools. While most projects are in the US, there are international projects as well. Volunteers are generally responsible for local living costs and travel to and from the project country.
• Mission trips: These are typically faith-based programs run by religious organizations.
• Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOF): WWOOF connects volunteers with farmers who are looking for help in working on organic farms. There is a small registration fee, but food and accommodation are free.
• United Nations Volunteers: Volunteers are highly skilled and involved in policymaking and implementation in developing countries or those in crisis. Volunteers are given an allowance to cover their living costs, as well as medical and general support.

Low-Cost Volunteer Programs

Some programs provide accommodation, meals, airport pickup, and in-country transportation for a low cost. Examples include:

• International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ): Program fees start from $20 per day.
• Plan My Gap Year (PMGY): Prices start at $624 for two weeks.
• Volunteering Solutions: Prices start at $200 for a week.
• The Excellence Center: Prices start at $266 for one week.
• Atlas Volunteering: Prices start at $65 for a week.

Funding Options

Even if you choose a low-cost program, there are opportunities to fund your volunteer project, such as scholarships, grants, and crowdfunding.

Teaching English

If you're a native English speaker, teaching English abroad is a great way to travel the world for free. There are plenty of opportunities to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL) in countries across the world, and many schools will provide free accommodation or a housing stipend on top of your salary.

Qualifications

To get started as an English teacher abroad, you'll typically need a bachelor's degree, native or equivalent English skills, and a TEFL qualification. Some countries or schools may also require you to have a teaching license or previous teaching experience.

Finding a Job

There are several recruitment agencies that can help you find TEFL jobs abroad, such as Footprints Recruiting and Teach Away. You can also find job listings on websites like Workaway and Worldpackers.

Choosing a Destination

The availability of TEFL jobs and the benefits offered vary depending on the country and school. Here are some popular destinations for teaching English abroad:

• China: It is common for schools in China to offer reimbursed airfare, rent-free housing, contract completion bonuses, paid holidays, and medical insurance. There is also a wide variety of work available, from co-teaching in public schools to teaching small private classes.
• South Korea: TEFL contracts in South Korea often include return airfare, fully furnished housing, paid holidays, contributions to health insurance, and bonus upon completion. The low tax rate and low cost of living make it possible for teachers to save money during their time there.
• Middle East: The Gulf States in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, typically offer generous packages that include reimbursed airfare, end-of-contract bonuses, housing allowances, and health insurance. Salaries for foreign teachers are also usually tax-free. However, jobs in this region often require teachers to have completed formal teacher training programs or have teaching licenses/certifications and previous teaching experience.
• Japan: Japan's JET program offers return airfare and helps teachers find accommodation, although housing is not always included. Schools in Japan often provide contract completion bonuses, full or subsidized medical insurance, paid vacations, and refundable pension contributions. Salaries are relatively high compared to other Asian countries, and it is possible for teachers to save money while also enjoying a comfortable lifestyle.

What to Consider

When considering a TEFL job, it's important to do your research and ask questions about the contract, the school, and the lifestyle you can expect. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Housing: Find out if housing is provided and, if so, what is included. Ask for photos and details about the location, furnishings, and any bills you may need to pay.
• Airfare: Find out if airfare is covered and if there is a cap on the amount the school will reimburse. Also, clarify when the reimbursement will be made (before, during, or after your contract is completed).
• Work expectations: Be clear about the number of teaching hours expected per week, and remember that this doesn't include preparation, marking, and admin time. Also, ask if you are allowed to work outside your contract, such as taking on private lessons.
• Vacation time: Clarify how vacation time is allocated, including when and for how long you can take vacations.
• School reputation: Research the school online and, if possible, reach out to current or former English teachers to get their perspective.

Working on yachts

How to Get Started

To get started, you'll need to be in the right place at the right time. Yachts move around the world seasonally, so you'll need to follow them. For example, the winter season is in the Caribbean, with the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in October being a good place to start your job search. For the summer season in the Mediterranean and New England, head to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, or Antibes, France.

Qualifications and Experience

You don't need prior yachting experience to get an entry-level position on a yacht. However, professional hospitality experience and training are advantageous. Holding specialty skills such as massage therapy, fishing guide, or engineering can also help you get your foot in the door.

Basic STCW (Safety Training Certification for Working on Ships) is a minimum requirement for working on chartered yachts. The course takes about a week to complete and covers fire prevention, firefighting, personal survival techniques, personal safety, social responsibility, first aid, and CPR.

Job Roles and Salary

There are various job roles on a yacht, including deckhand, steward/stewardess, chef, engineer, first mate, bosun, and captain. As a deckhand, you'll be responsible for cleaning and maintaining the exterior of the boat, driving the tender, taking out the garbage, changing lightbulbs, and other maintenance tasks. A steward/stewardess acts as a waitress, maid, laundress, and sometimes a nanny, working with the chef and deck crew to plan the guests' daily activities.

Inexperienced yacht crew can earn between $2000-3000 a month, while more experienced crew in higher positions can make $3500-$6000 a month. On chartered trips, guests typically tip 5%-15% of the weekly charter fee, which can mean an additional $1000 per person per week.

Lifestyle and Perks

Working on a yacht can be demanding, but it offers great rewards. You won't have to pay rent or worry about food since that's included, so you can save a lot of money. Additionally, you'll get to travel to beautiful locations like the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Many yacht crew use the money they save during the season to fund their travels during the off-season.

However, it's important to remember that working on a yacht isn't always glamorous. When the yacht is on charter, the crew has to work long hours and adhere to strict rules, including no alcohol consumption.

Finding a Job

To find a job on a yacht, you'll need to pound the pavement and network. Stay in crew housing or hostels near marinas, and don't be afraid to strike up a conversation with someone wearing a yacht logo. Sailors are known to frequent bars, so that could be a good place to meet potential employers.

You can also register with crew agencies, such as Blue Oceans Yachting, Elite Crew International, and Nautic Crew Worldwide. These agencies help boat owners find crew, so increasing your exposure to multiple agencies can improve your chances of getting hired.

When meeting with crew agents and interviewing with captains, it's important to dress and groom conservatively. Cover any tattoos, remove face piercings, and trim your beard. While some owners may not care about appearance, others will, and it's better to be safe than sorry.

House-sitting

Advantages of House-Sitting

• Free accommodation: Paying no rent saves you a lot of money, allowing you to travel longer.
• Home comforts: You can enjoy the comforts of a home, such as doing laundry, cooking, and having private space, which can be a nice break from the chaos of travelling.
• Connect with locals: By staying in one place for a while, you can get to know the local shops and bars, meet people, and discover the region better.
• Routine: Amidst the unstructured nature of travelling, house-sitting provides a gentle routine with pet care and household chores, giving you time to catch up on work, sleep, or personal projects.
• Escape tourist areas: House-sitting lets you discover places off the beaten track and experience the local life.

Disadvantages of House-Sitting

• Responsibility: Looking after pets restricts your lifestyle as you have to be home for feedings and walks.
• Isolation: House-sitting can be lonely, especially if you are travelling alone, as it lacks the social aspect of hostels or other volunteering opportunities.
• Things will go wrong: You may need to fix broken things, look after sick pets, or deal with power failures, and there might not be anyone to help.
• Not completely free: You may have some expenses like groceries or vet visits for pets, so it's important to discuss these things with the homeowner in advance.

How to Find House-Sitting Opportunities

Websites like TrustedHousesitters, Nomador, and Workaway offer numerous house-sitting opportunities worldwide. To increase your chances of being selected:

• Have a complete profile: Include as many photos as possible, especially with pets, and add references from previous employers or landlords.
• Be concise and sell yourself: Focus on what you can offer the homeowner, rather than why you want a free holiday.
• Be honest: Don't oversell yourself as a handyman or gardener unless you have those skills.
• Start small: Consider starting with house-sitting in your local area to get some experience and references before applying for bigger opportunities abroad.

Frequently asked questions