A dream job for a lot of us would be one that pays you to travel. The reality, however, is that it’s rare and difficult to find such niche jobs, so the best way to ensure that you get to backpack all over the world is to save up and work hard to earn it, or figure out jobs that can help you travel while you work. Fortunately we’ve found a couple of easy ideas and inspirations for you; here are the best of them:
1. Be a sports instructor: If you’re passionate about a sport like kayaking, parasailing or scuba diving, the best thing to do would be to get a professional certification, like one from PADI if you want to scuba-dive professionally. Being an instructor is not only fun but also lets you travel while you teach.
Image Source: http://wasatchadaptivesports.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/dean.jpg
2. Crowd-funded travel: This is a brand new concept that has many people jumping on the bandwagon. If you have a unique idea for a trip that will also add value and appeal, you can crowd-fund your travel on sites like Trevolta or Kickstarter.
Image Source: http://lifejunkiemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/MachuPichu-960×420-960×420.jpg
3. Online Jobs: Freelancing is extremely common these days; whether it’s by being a writer, designer or photographer, and payments can be set hourly or on a project basis. Figure out where your talent lies, sign up on a freelancing website and you can make a lot of extra money during a trip.
Image Source: http://dsim.in/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/047.jpg
4. Summer Camp Counseling: If you love kids and are good with bonding with them, being a camp counselor is yet another fun job which is very popular in countries like the United States. However, be prepared for exhausting hours with a lot of patience thrown in.
Image Source: http://www.sspblue.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/iStock_000017496383Medium.jpg
5. Bartending or waiting tables: Ever fancied waiting tables at a quaint little French café? In countries like France and Switzerland, this is a great way to meet the locals and understand the culture better while making money in the process – it’s especially useful if you know the local language.
Image Source: http://69.195.124.132/~hellabas/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/img_1716.jpg?w=640
6. Fruit Picking: Grape picking in France, kiwi plucking in New Zealand, strawberry-picking in Denmark…sounds exotic? Although it’s hard work, it’s one of the most popular jobs that backpackers take up on their travels, and sometimes you can even be provided with food and accommodation.
Image Source: http://californiamediterraneandiet.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/adrian-picking.jpg
7. Teaching English in Asia: If you’d like to travel the length and breadth of Asia, and have an excellent command over the English language, you could teach English in countries like Japan and South Korea. A TOEFL certification certainly goes a long way but sometimes it’s enough if you’re fluent.
Image Source: http://www.journeyetc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Teachin-English-in-Asia.jpg
8. Being a Tour Guide: If you have a preferred destination that you know like the back of your hand, why not guide other tourists around? Being a tour guide exposes you to other travelers from different countries and helps you learn along the way too. Be creative: if you’ve found some offbeat spots, create your own walking or hiking tour and earn while you guide people around your favourite spots.
Image Source: http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/life/travel/2012/09/21/europe_travel_bus_tours_a_great_way_to_see_the_sights/europe_tour_guide_in_dingleireland.jpeg
These are some of the smartest ways to fund your own future trips during your travels – they have the added benefit of letting you soak up the culture while getting to fund your next adventure.
