Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to get paid to work in some of the world’s most exotic locations? Here, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular working holidays and where you can apply.
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Fruit Picking in Australia
The great thing about fruit picking is that it’s so flexible – farmers are always crying out for farm labourers, and, as long as you’re happy to spend all day outside in the sun (hmm, that’s a hard one), anyone can do it. Depending on the season and you’re chosen location, you can pick anything from onions to oranges. Pickers are normally paid in two ways: either you’ll receive an hourly wage or be paid for the amount of fruit you’ve picked. Fruit picking is also a great way to extend your Australian Working Holiday Visa for a second year, since the government requires you to do specific work for a minimum of three months.
Check out Australia’s Harvest Trail website for a range of jobs in various locations. BUNAC also has a regularly updated jobs database.
Teach English in Thailand or Vietnam
If you are reading this, then you are already qualified for the job! Thanks to the popularity of the English language, teachers are required all over the world. i-to-i gives volunteers the opportunity to teach in either Thailand or Vietnam. Since you’re only needed during school hours, your free time could be spent visiting the elephant research centre or munching on local delicacies. £1,295 for 5+ months (Vietnam) or 6 months (Thailand), including accommodation, airport transfers and around £500 p/m salary, www.i-to-i.com/supported-tefl-jobs.
Alternatively, get paid for teaching by taking the TEFL qualification. TEFL England offers a 50 hour online course for £179; www.tefl.org.uk/courses/online-only-tefl-courses/50-hour-online-tefl-course and advertises jobs from all over the world on their job site www.tefl.org.uk/tefl-jobs-centre.
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Stewarding on a yacht in the Caribbean
Sun? Check. Sea? Check. Sand? Well, not really. As long as you don’t suffer from seasickness though, most stewarding jobs don’t require any previous yachting experience. Roles on board can involve cleaning, cooking, serving and assisting with cabin duties. Most stewarding roles are paid positions, and if you’re lucky, occasionally owners pay for all travelling costs. Contract length is dependent upon the length of the sailing trip.
Register with Crewseekers to find the most up-to-date job listings – a six month membership costs £75 for 6 months mebership. www.crewseekers.net/opportunities.
Work at a summer camp in the USA
Every summer, thousands of travellers flock to the US of A to work at summer camp. You can earn around £400-£550 for nine weeks as a standard camp counsellor – the most popular position. If you do have a lot of childcare experience, or have qualifications in certain skills, higher paid positions are also available. A typical day can involve practically anything, from pottery to singing round the camp fire – all you need is a ‘let’s get stuck in’ attitude, and to enjoy spending time with kids! After camp finishes, get together with a few counsellor-friends and travel for the remainder of your visa. Sounds like the perfect recipe for a memorable three months!
Camp America and Wild Packs find placements for you across America. Camp America’s fees start at £599 for a ‘first-timer’ including flights and medical insurance. Wild Packs start at £345.
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Volunteer for the Desert Elephants Project in Namibia
Get up close and personal in the African desert with the area’s small population of desert-adapted elephants. Based in the Damaraland region of the Namib Desert, volunteers work with local subsistence farmers to build protective walls around their water points, before following and monitoring the elephants. You’ll experience areas normally unseen by tourists on the patrol, as you help with herd identification and other data collection projects. Evenings are spent camping out under the stars and socialising around the campfire. Projects take place in two week rotations throughout the year, and volunteers are welcome to stay between two and 12 weeks.
Two weeks cost £885, and 12 weeks £3,295. This payment covers all food, transportation and accommodation costs, flights and insurance are not included. www.workingabroad.com/projects/namibia-elephant-volunteer.
Volunteer for the National Trust in the UK
Want something a little closer to home? The National Trust offers plenty of volunteering opportunities in England and Wales. Volunteering duties range from building dry stone walls in the Peak District to archiving material in the Trust’s historic houses. The holidays are really flexible too, and range from single days to full working holidays. Current last minute holidays for March (2018) include moorland conservation in the Peak District and coppicing and woodworking in Cumbria www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/working-holidays, prices start at £85 for a short-break working holiday.
For more information, and to see the full list of volunteering opportunities, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
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Work as a Ski Chalet Host in the French Alps
Don’t be put off if you’re not a skier – along with lift passes, food, accommodation, travel and insurance, some companies also provide free lessons. Chalet host responsibilities include cleaning, cooking and looking after your guests. Though the pay isn’t great, (around £80 a week) and the hours are quite long, you still get tips (which can be quite hefty) and, of course, downtime on the slopes! There are other jobs available too – companies also seek chefs, baristas and nannies to work throughout their winter seasons. Most companies start the recruitment process in May, and it’s best to apply early, as the highly competitive host positions fill up fast.
Three companies to try are Scott Dunn, Mark Warner and VIP SKI. A wide variety of jobs can also be found on www.natives.co.uk and www.ski-jobs.co.uk.
