We can all admit it: no one really enjoys sitting in a cubicle at their 9-to-5 day in and day out. Likewise, no student truly enjoys the constant grind of four months of study, work at home, four months of study, work at home. What if there was some way to do something much more fun and rewarding while still making money AND giving you the break that you most likely desperately need? Good thing there is. Enter: seasonal jobs abroad!
The great thing about short term jobs abroad is they can fit into basically any schedule, and is ideal if you need a break but still need some sort of income, like most of us. Even if you’re just looking to make a little extra dough for the holidays (and we don’t mean cookie dough), why not do it while you explore a new culture and lifestyle? Whether you’re a ski bunny or surfer (or a little of both a la Johnny Tsunami style), there are seasonal jobs overseas out there calling your name!
FAQs on seasonal jobs abroad
How do seasonal job visas work abroad?
Finding a seasonal job is only the first step, and many job seekers overlook the often frustrating and unclear task that is obtaining a visa. Make sure you know the parameters and requirements of your region by checking with your designated embassy before embarking on the hunt for seasonal work abroad!
Many areas, like the Schengen region of Europe, allow visitors to stay for up to 90 days under a “tourist visa.” If you are only planning on working very temporarily and your job will be babysitting, teaching private lessons, or something else that is “under the table,” then you probably do not need to worry about obtaining an actual visa. However, if you are planning on living it up in paradise for as long as you can and/or you’re one of those people who obtained an actual job with tax deductions in your paycheck (go you!), you will probably need to get a visa. (dun dun dunnnn)
Just kidding, selecting and applying for a visa is really not that bad. In fact, there is actually a visa that exists that allows young people looking for seasonal work or short-term jobs abroad to live in the country and work legally—the working holiday visa. This beautiful little thing is available in many countries and typically for people up to 30 years old. The country list and requirements differ depending on where you’re from, so be sure to look into it carefully (start by checking out BUNAC and InterExchange). If you do not quality for this, make sure to talk to your consulate to figure out your other visa options before accepting a job abroad.
What are popular seasonal jobs?
Short term overseas jobs tends to fall in a few broad categories: hospitality and tourism gigs, like working in a hostel or restaurant, are often seeking extra hands during peak travel seasons. These can be perfect skills to develop for easy and quick transitions between jobs, and customer service skills are useful in ANY future career or role.
You can also easily find seasonal agricultural projects, like farm labor, outdoor work, or harvesting. Since these jobs are largely based on the growing seasons for crops, they can a fruitful (wink) approach to stringing together multiple gigs over the course of a year.
You can also find summer teaching English jobs pretty easily. Here are a couple of summer teaching jobs hiring right now even! Seasonal childcare jobs abroad often look like summer au pair gigs and can be REALLY REALLY fun and awesome if you get matched with the right family.
What's the best way to find seasonal jobs abroad?
We recommend you look into the top countries by season. Remember that the seasons are flipped depending on what hemisphere you’re in, so make sure you’re headed out in the season you intended! If you only packed a swimsuit and find you need a parka… well, we warned you! Once you've found a few organizations or potential jobs that you're into, be sure to read our guide on how to choose between work abroad programs—it's not as easy as you might think.
Next, consider your present skills set (what you bring to the table) and the types of skills you hope to walk away with (#resumebooster). Now, choose a destination that incites your wanderlust and hit the job boards!
Best destinations for summer seasonal jobs abroad
A summer job doesn’t always have to be waiting tables or teaching swim lessons in your hometown in between semesters. Even if one of those is your gig of choice, why not get a summer job abroad instead? Rather than wading in a gross public pool that a kid pees in every hour while surrounded by floating Band-Aids, how does being a surf instructor at a crystal-clear beach surrounded by sea turtles and tropical fish sound to you?
1. Australia & New Zealand
Seasonal jobs abroad in New Zealand are sweet as!
Working down under has some serious perks, with the biggest being that both Australia and New Zealand offer a working holiday visa with no academic requirements (most other countries require applicants to currently be enrolled in university or graduated within the past year). That means all you 25-year-olds going through a quarter life crisis can rejoice! Working in Australia or New Zealand during the summer season means one thing: diversity. With it covering such a huge area of our planet, there is a wide variety of climates, and subsequent job opportunities that are perfect for any type of traveler!
Seriously, anything and everything is available in Australia and New Zealand. From Great Barrier Reef conservation to farm work in the Outback, there are no limits down under! Even though English is the most widely-spoken language in both countries, only about 75 percent of Australians and New Zealanders speak only English at home, meaning that there is a lot of opportunity for English teaching in the region as well. If you’re looking for something really cool, get your inner hobbit on and consider working at Hobbiton in New Zealand, the Lord of the Rings movie tour company. For real, is there anything more amazing?!
2. Austria
You might think this a locale only for powder hounds, but alpine summers are a dream in Austria and a great opportunity for seasonal work.
Not to be confused with Australia, this tiny country smack dab in the middle of Europe is perfect for any history lover, outdoor enthusiast, or culinary extraordinaire. Although Austria is known as a winter paradise, its warm weather opportunities are not to be missed either. With its alpine landscape, it rarely gets hotter than 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and humidity is practically nonexistent. Its mild climate and breathtaking surroundings make it a prime location for seasonal jobs overseas, and the abundant amount of gelato and aperol spritz don’t hurt either.
Austrians are all about their educational summer camps, so native speakers of foreign languages are particularly in demand during the summer months. Native English speakers have a serious leg up, so if you’re into leading adventures in the wild while teaching nouns and verbs here and there, check out camp opportunities. Austrians also take their food and wine seriously, mixing the delicacies of their German and Italian neighbors with their own to create absolutely delicious grub. WWOOF-ing at organic farms and vineyards is very popular in Austria, but there are plenty of paying jobs in this field (get it?) as well.
3. Norway
Another spot you might not think of as “hot,” but summer job opportunities in Norway are a-fjord-able and fun!
Known for being the gateway to the Northern Lights, Norway is much more than an arctic land. Its cold weather options are truly amazing, but what makes this country so unique is its totally underrated summer job opportunities. A large chunk of Norway is made up of fjords, or long and very deep inlets of sea between high cliffs and mountains, and its crystal-clear waters and spectacular scenery are absolutely not to be missed. The Norwegian countryside, littered with quaint farms and deep Fjords, attracts visitors from all over the world, and its mild temperatures don’t hurt either. Much of this land is only accessible during Norway’s warmer months, making it a very unique experience.
The key to nailing a kickass gig in Norway is to get creative, as the opportunities available are probably things that most people would never think of (that’s how great Norway is). Working on a cruise ship navigating through tight and deep fjords with whales surrounding you is definitely the most popular option for obvious reasons, but there are also tons of jobs involving hiking, farming, hospitality, reindeer herding, or even wolfdog training. If none of that sounds appealing (really who are you), then you could always settle for Jarlsberg cheese production, too. A true hardship, nei?
Top destinations for winter seasonal jobs abroad
Do you hate being stuck at home in between semesters dreaming of hitting the slopes and kicking back by the fire after a long day? Or maybe you’re a professional looking for a temporary change of pace, and think some time spent in the great outdoors with a hot toddy by the fire will solve all your problems? Whatever your situation is, you’re definitely onto something. Why not take your dreams abroad and make some money on the side?
4. Switzerland
It’s snow big news that Switzerland is a great spot for seasonal winter jobs.
Switzerland is in a nutshell the picture of winter paradise for season jobs overseas. Due to its location in central Europe and its four languages and cultures meshing together, this small country is ideal for anyone looking to get a truly international experience while surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Whether it’s translation, tourism, teaching English, or dishing up ridiculous amounts of all varieties of cheese, Switzerland has it all!
No exaggeration, Switzerland is every snow bunny’s dream and there is basically an infinite amount of resort-related jobs available. Whether you’re ready to hit the slopes and teach skiing, you are mad with a spatula and make a mean brunch, or you’re more business-savvy and kill it on social media, there is something for everyone. Not only will you make some easy money, but seasonal resort jobs come with serious perks, including free ski/boarding passes, discounted rates for resort amenities (helloooo slopeside hot tubs!), and the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Plus, don’t forget the resort-quality fondue. You would be insane to turn this down.
5. Chile
It does get a little Chile, but if you’re looking for seasonal winter jobs you’ve found just the place!
This coastal country running over half the length of South America is so much more than wine and beaches. While typically thought of as a warm-weather haven, Chile is home to potentially the most diverse geography in the world, from its pristine beaches and hot weather in the north to its larger-than-life glaciers in the south. Patagonia alone is enough to make any person immediately pack their bags, and if you’re into extreme outdoor adventure at basically the edge of the earth, short term jobs abroad in Chile are right for you.
The sky’s the limit for outdoor-related seasonal jobs in Chile: teaching skiing, working as a cave tour guide in Patagonia, leading snowshoe treks up glaciers, you name it. Getting involved in cold weather activities is literally just the tip of the iceberg (or glacier), so if you’re more of a mild climate person, never fear! Check out opportunities at Chile’s many world-renowned vineyards (they don’t close in the winter!), or if helping cute animals is more your thing, look into wildlife and nature conservation. Many types of animals migrate north from Antarctica and need protection, as well as helping to keep the country’s many national parks safe and beautiful.
6. Thailand
If you’re more of a winter on the beach person, seasonal jobs abroad in Thailand are the way to go.
Are you one of those people who hates the cold and thinks it should be perpetually warm? Well, seasonal jobs during the winter don’t just have to fall into the “let-it-snow” category. If you’re looking to escape the frostbite and head someplace warm for short term jobs abroad, consider the beautiful country of Thailand. Typically viewed as Thailand’s most pleasant season, winter in this area is comfortable and, best of all, empty. While usually ridden with tourists in the hotter months, much of northern and central Thailand clears out once the rainy season and then winter hit, making it much more enjoyable to live and work here.
Thailand is a much bigger country than most people probably realize, meaning there are some very diverse seasonal jobs available. While hospitality and tourism jobs are very popular in southern Thailand because of its yearlong warmth, the country is also full of English teaching, outdoor adventure, and wildlife conservation opportunities. An emerging market is actually in elephant rescue, so if helping to rehabilitate friendly Dumbos strikes your fancy, be sure to check this out!
Whatever the weather, seasonal jobs abroad are, well... in season!
There are so many ways to obtain short term overseas jobs that it is amazing more people don’t jump on it. As you work through picking your ideal location and job, be sure to read reviews, reach out to program alumni or company employees, and compare programs side-by-side with MyGoAbroad. Make sure that whatever seasonal job abroad you pursue (especially if it is in hospitality or conservation) is done ethically and with the local community in mind. Now pack your bags and enjoy breaking out of the cubicle mold to pursue awesome seasonal jobs abroad!