Spending a year in a completely different country, working there and perhaps getting to know a new culture is something many young people dream of. So these days it's no rarity for students, after finishing high school, to head off for a year to Australia or New Zealand, for example. Simply to experience something and discover new things. Before most of them continue with college back home. But of course, a Work & Travel year like this only works if you can also find work in the destination country. In this article you'll learn what to keep in mind when working during a gap year abroad.

Working on a gap year abroad - which jobs are an option?

Which jobs are an option for working on a gap year abroad depends very much on the country you're in. It should go without saying that you generally can't practice full professions during a Work & Travel year, since those come with certain requirements. Instead, what you can do on a working gap year abroad are mostly small odd jobs. Waiting tables, helping out on farms, delivery services (provided you have a driver's license and it's recognized in the country in question), warehouse work and other small side jobs generally qualify for a Work & Travel year.

work abroad gap year

The good thing about all this is that the countries that are popular destinations often offer information centers to help you find work. This is the case in New Zealand or Australia, for example.

Working on a gap year abroad - what eventualities should you be prepared for?

In general, when it comes to working on a gap year abroad, it's always better to prepare accordingly in advance, rather than suddenly standing there without work in the destination country. That means you should look into the topic before the trip. If it's a popular Work & Travel country, you'll find plenty of websites, portals and contact points online. They can already be helpful from home in your search for work.

However, something like this can rarely be planned down to the last detail. So think in advance about where on site in the destination country there are contact points for job seekers from abroad.

Working on a gap year abroad - the most important tips for finding a job abroad

If you prepare thoroughly in advance and can secure work at least for the first phase of your trip, not too much can really go wrong. Still, it's always worth having a small financial backup. Finally, here are the most important tips once more in brief:

  • Look for jobs BEFORE the trip
  • Visit online forums and portals for Work & Travel
  • Look for local contact points on site for job placement
  • Plan a financial backup for emergencies