Last week I took you through some of the best overseas summer jobs that can not only make your some extra cash, but can help you really enjoy yourself this summer. Most focus on outdoor adventure, some working with children and teens. But they all have one thing in common, and that is that they will probably make the summer fly by!
Bartender: I have to confess, being a bartender doesn’t seem like the most fun job to me. However, hearing from friends and reading message boards about people who have stepped behind the bar to serve a few pints has been eye-opening. People love it! And not just for the tips (which a little) or the work itself, but for the people. Think about it: and exotic out-of-town bartender would probably get a bit of attention, and that means people talking you sharing stories. If you love people, and love the nightlife (and are old enough!), bartending might be for you. I know many people who got their bartending jobs once they were already in their host country. You’ll need to be careful if you don’t have a work permit – a bar will probably be willing to pay you off the books, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get into trouble for it! If you want to make sure that you have the right paperwork, consider BUNAC, which will help you will permits and job placements in parts of Western Europe and Australia.
Eco-lodges: I wasn’t sure whether to include eco-lodges on this list, because few actually qualify as paying jobs. But the beauty of eco-lodges is generally the experience, living and working communally in an eco-friendly environment. Great for a short-term stay, ecolodges do offer some part-time work to travelers, like cooking or general maintenance. Since many ecolodges are small and may not have the resources to maintain a website, or run full programs, check out some jobs abroad message boards for opportunities for ecolodge work abroad.
Summer Camp Counselor: Everyone loves summer camp! Well, maybe not everyone, but they certainly are popular the entire world. And those spots close to the equator have the added benefit of beautiful weather, and many have access to sandy beaches, giving you loads of options for summer camp activities to take part in. This should go without saying but, if you don’t like kids, this probably isn’t the best fit for you. Once thing to be aware of is that many summer camp “jobs” are volunteer experiences in disguise. I love volunteering, but if it is essential that you get paid this summer, make sure that you read all of the fine print before you fill out and application. API Study Abroad hires camp counselors for month-long camps in China, and pays a modest stipend.
Summer Internships: this is kind of a broad category, but I felt that it was worth noting that with the right planning and creativity, you can score yourself a summer abroad, gain some work experience, and even get paid. Paid internships abroad are extremely rare, and those that also give college credit are almost non-existent. But if you can figure out what your priorities are (money vs. academic credits), you should be able to find a great internship that can also be fun. You’ll have much more flexibility with an unpaid experience, and many organizations will let you design an internship for yourself. If you are studying in a field that is transferable – like language, hospitality or business – there are tons of tourist destinations that would be willing to take you on as an intern. English majors can often find work at English-language newspapers and website geared toward tourists and expats. I can’t even list all of the possibilities here! But one this to remember is that there are tons of students who have come before you, so check in with your study abroad office and look into some of the internship possibilities abroad to get a sense of what is out there. You can also try GoAbroad.com which has an internship section devoted to helping people find a great program, whether for the summer or the whole year.
Do any of these look like a fun summer job to you? If so, you’d better get moving now to set up your job. There are even more resources available at JobMonkey.com, which posts fun seasonal and cool jobs both in the United States and overseas. Just remember that they best way to have a great summer is to go into any job with a good attitude. Remember that cultural differences tend to reveal themselves in the workplace, and the best thing you can do is embrace, talk to as many people as possible – and take lots of pictures!