Summer holidays are that perfect time of the year when you can finally let go and set out on an adventure.
Now, if you’re keen on traveling, you typically have two options: save up for the trip during the year or find work abroad and mix business with pleasure. And if you’re reading this, you’ve opted for the second one.
You don’t have to choose the “Ugh, I have to do my homework and prepare for exams” over “I want to travel,” after all. For three months, you’re free to do whatever you want!
Now, your search for a summer job should always start with “Where?”. Not that the how’s aren’t important, of course. But for every country, there are always multiple opportunities that you can choose from. You just need to do your research well enough to find the most suitable one.
What countries remain the top destinations for students looking to make a buck while traveling? Here are four long-time champion ones you might want to consider, presented in no particular order.
China
If you want to experience a radically different way of living, China is the destination for you. Combine that with an abundance of short-term job opportunities for foreigners (especially English native speakers), and it becomes obvious why China keeps getting included in these lists.
Yet, there are some things you’ll need to keep in mind before venturing into China. For starters, China’s Great Firewall blocks most websites you probably frequent. Besides, there’s air pollution to worry about in big cities – and you’ll indeed get a lot of stares as a foreigner.
3 Reasons to Go to China
- Unless you’re originally from South-East Asia, living in China is bound to feel like a completely different world.
- There are plenty of teaching English work opportunities available for native speakers.
- Everyday life is relatively inexpensive, and most jobs pay well enough to allow you to save money.
France
Do you dream of saying “Bonjour, la France, ma chérie”? Going there on your own buck is going to be a bank-breaker for most students. Luckily enough, you can make it work even if you don’t come from the riches. Just spend your salary to cover the travel expenses!
Of course, France is an expensive country for day-to-day life, even without traveling. So, if you’re considering it, make sure you have no illusion of putting any money in your savings account. You’ll probably spend it all on groceries, transportation, and leisure.
3 Reasons to Go to France
- Most employers maintain an excellent work culture. They respect a healthy work-life balance, maintain a proper work environment, provide sick leaves if needed, etc.
- You can find job opportunities in the Alps mountains or lively cities like Paris, Nice, or Cannes that every tourist dreams of visiting.
- This is your opportunity to experience the real French way of life. It’s not going to match what’s in the movies 100%, but it’s still a distinctive lifestyle you’ll learn a lot from.
Ecuador
This is a bit of an outlier on the list – you probably weren’t expecting to see Ecuador here, were you?
Since Ecuador is kind of off the beaten path, you’ll find a more peaceful day-to-day life here with fewer tourists. The culture itself might also be a good kind of weird for you. No one rushes anywhere; people take their time to enjoy every day.
3 Reasons to Go to Ecuador
- Day-to-day life is cheap, while jobs for English native speakers in hospitality pay well above the average.
- Flexibility and focus on people rather than schedules and strict routines are the cornerstones of work culture. So, you won’t get stressed at work once you get used to everyone being laid-back.
- There are plenty of less touristy but still astonishing places to visit, especially if you prefer mountains and nature over cities.
South Korea
Like in most countries in South-East Asia, prepare to experience a demanding work culture in South Korea. That said, it’s not as dramatic as often painted in the news or films. Once you get used to it, you’ll see how many benefits actually come within this cultural framework.
As for jobs themselves, fluent English is valuable here. You can find plenty of opportunities for teaching English, for starters. Jobs in the hospitality industry are also plentiful for English native speakers.
3 Reasons to Go to South Korea
- Family-like work culture: prepare to bond with your colleagues and spend time together during company events.
- Traditions and modern tech blended together: South Korea keeps its centuries-long practices alive while giving off the futuristic vibe.
- Benefits like health insurance and free lunches are combined with a relatively low cost of living.
What Kind of Jobs Are Out There for You?
So, you’ve settled on the “where” part of the equation. Now what?
Now, you’ll need to scout for job opportunities there. Here are five usual aspects when it comes to summer jobs for foreigners.
- Hospitality. Resorts worldwide experience a boom in the number of customers every summer, so they need extra hands.
- Teaching English. If you’re a native speaker, you already have your golden ticket to most countries around the globe! All you need to do is catch up on the teaching part, and you’re good to go.
- Au Pair. This is your type of program if you enjoy spending time with kids and want to see how families in other countries live.
- Agriculture. These jobs are typically open to foreigners because they’re low-paid. But if you’re used to being thrifty (and you don’t mind physical labor), it’s not going to be much of an inconvenience.
- International camps. Oftentimes, you’ll have only the food and accommodation covered. But there’s nothing like a camp to become a part of an international community and have fun with like-minded people.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, there are pretty attractive options when it comes to traveling for summer work. So, choose the most suitable country and sphere and start your adventure this summer!
