This summer, why not work as part of a hot-air balloon ground crew in
France, lead outdoor treks for kids in the American Rockies or run the
check-in counter at a hostel in Mongolia?
Exciting summer opportunities abound for adventurous students and young
adults looking to immerse themselves in a new culture while earning
money in a foreign country.
Most major universities and colleges offer counselling and assistance
in finding both short-term and long-term work abroad, so find out what
resources your school offers. For example, The University of Calgary,
Queen’s University, The University of British Columbia and The
University of Toronto all run information sites for students interested
in working abroad to find out about visa requirements, job
opportunities and links to employers and job boards in various
countries.
For students looking for outside help, the Canadian Federation of
Students runs SWAP, a program that helps students find and transition
into summer jobs abroad. SWAP partners with Travel Cuts to arrange
airfare and insurance and take care of visa documents. They also offer
a myriad of resources to help you pick not only the right job, but the
right destination.
“We’re like a big brother or big sister overseas. We don’t just want
you to work, we want you to travel and absorb some of the local
culture. After all, you can work any place in the world, but what
matters is the people you meet and the experiences you have when you
get there,” said Libby Law, deputy director of SWAP.
SWAP sends nearly 3,000 adventurous Canadians every year around the
world for short-term and summer job programs to places in Asia, Europe,
South America, the U.S., New Zealand and Australia. SWAP applies on
your behalf to get a working visa, offers pre-departure counselling and
an orientation seminar when you land to help you find work, set up a
bank account and get up to speed on the customs and quirks of the
particular country you’re in. While some people do manage to secure a
job abroad before flying out, Law says — just like any other job — most
find it’s a lot easier to secure work in-person once they’ve arrived.
“The majority of participants work it out when they get there,” Law said.
Another great online resource for summer jobs around the world is at
www.transitionsabroad.com, which lists links to hundreds of summer jobs
along with study, volunteer, travel and living opportunities around the
world. Sites like www. anyworkanywhere.com also specialize in
short-term and summer job opportunities, so follow your mouse and dig
around to find your perfect summer job.
