Are you tired of making chump-change in a job you don’t like? Fed up of doing the 9 to 5 in your hometown and itching for something new? Have you had it with living in a flea-bitten box even though you’re spending more than half your salary on rent? You don’t have to live like this! Even though it may sound crazy, why not consider a complete change of scenery and instead, work overseas?
Get ready for a knockout adventure! Here are the top destinations for working in Asia and the South Pacific.
If you’re a first timer to the world of working abroad, you should look to Asia and the South Pacific. This is a very happening part of the world, where economies and technologies are growing at lightning speed. The upshot of all this development is more jobs. Asia is the largest continent on planet Earth, with booming job markets in the Far East, Southeast Asia, Western Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. When it comes to employment in the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji remain expat favorites.
What kind of jobs abroad can you find in this region? In Asia, many find work in teaching English, business, and tourism whereas in the South Pacific, travelers find positions in hospitality, the service industry, au pairing, and manual labor, like fruit picking on the farm (a longtime favorite when it comes to jobs in Australia for Americans!).
Are you dying to try a new, more Asian or islander, workplace now? We got you. Our meaningful traveler community interests indicate these are the top destinations for working in Asia and the South Pacific in 2018.
1. Australia
There are so many ways to work abroad in Australia, even remote jobs!
Even though many people think Straya is just beach blondes, waves, and didgeridoos, it’s also a very popular destination for those who want to work in the South Pacific. There are tons of ways you can work abroad in Australia. Jobs in Australia for Americans and other eligible nationalities include spending a working holiday pouring pints and welcoming dusty travelers at hostels in Sydney or Cairns. If you’ve got the stuff, you can even find a temp job in offices in Melbourne or capital Canberra. You can also work abroad in Australia without experience on farms, wilderness preserves, and ranches in the Outback. See you there?
Recommended program: Work as an au pair in Australia with GeoVisions
See ALL jobs in Australia
2. China
Teaching English in China remains one of the most popular ways of working in Asia.
Get ready for some serious(ly awesome) culture shock while earning dough in China, one of the best places for working in Asia. Swap cereal for noodles for breakfast and English for Mandarin or Cantonese. China is one of the most fascinating and affordable places for working in Asia, with an age-old civilization and super-modern urban sprawl. Teach English across the country or find jobs in the bustling business hubs of Shanghai and Hong Kong. The incredible cuisine (legit Chinese food is heaven) and insight into one of the world’s largest and most influential cultures will pay their weight in gold.
Recommended program: Work in China with LoPair Au Pair China
See ALL jobs in China
3. Japan
Work in Tokyo, one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities
Are you looking for jobs in Asia for English speakers? Why not try the land of the rising sun? Japan surprised everyone when it swiftly recovered from its crushing defeat in WW2 to become one of the world’s leading economies. Today, it remains a destination where the Force is definitely with you. Teach snowboarding in Hokkaido or English in Tokyo. Bonus: if you’ve reached level N1 or N2 in the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), the job market gets much more diverse, with positions in business, media, and entertainment.
Recommended program: Teach English in Japan with i-to-i TEFL
See ALL jobs in Japan
4. Thailand
In Thailand, you can work on projects related to seed saving, gardening, and land preservation.
Don't worry—we've also been dreaming of white sandy beaches, golden temples, monkeys, and monks on gorgeous green mountaintops. Let's say we make that dream a reality, shall we? The Land of Smiles is the perfect starting point to work in Southeast Asia. As one of the most popular places to dip your toes into Asian culture, Thailand’s locals and expat community make for softer landing for foreigners who want to work there. It’s also one of the best countries in Asia to live because of its legendary full moon parties, glorious street food, floating markets, and Buddhist monasteries.
Recommended program: Teach and travel in Thailand with ACT
See ALL jobs in Thailand
5. South Korea
Teach English in South Korea, one of the top destinations for working in Asia.
Psy’s homeland couldn’t be more attractive for those trying to find work in Asia for foreigners. As one of the Asian tigers, South Korea is a rock-solid economy with tons of jobs in teaching English and in the business and technology sectors. Not only that, it’s one of the more thrilling places to live on the planet with Seoul, the city that never sleeps, jagged mountain ranges, and the DMZ, one of the most controversial land borders in the world. Pro tip: This country is notorious for its high-paid English teaching jobs.
Recommended program: Become a sales professional in South Korea with Military AutoSource
See ALL jobs in South Korea
6. New Zealand
How’s this for happy hour? We love working in New Zealand!
Calling all daredevils, LOTR fans, or people who just want to work abroad in a gorgeous place! New Zealand awaits. Instead of competing with other foreigners to work abroad in Australia, move (further) south to hipster wonderland—full of friendly cities, beaches, rainforests, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, hobbits, and yes—pour over coffee! Thrill seekers will fit in nicely in Queenstown, the world’s extreme sports capital while others can find more sedate work on farms and in offices across the North and South Islands. If you need the big city feel, Auckland and Wellington should be your first stop on your job search abroad.
Recommended program: Find work in adventure travel in New Zealand with Pure Exploration
See ALL jobs in New Zealand
7. India
IT and web developer jobs are prevalent in India, one of the top destinations for working in Asia!
For centuries, India has intrigued travelers from the across the globe. Visitors and expats can’t get enough of its charm, complexity, and contradictions. India is also one of the top destinations for working in Asia because of its booming economy and emphasis on technology, science, and research. Find swanky finance jobs in New Delhi or IT positions in Bengaluru. If you’re looking for more quirky options, become a Bollywood dancer in Mumbai, manage a sports academy, or teach makeup techniques to Indian students.
Recommended program: Find the best jobs across India with Knowledge Must
See ALL jobs in India
8. Vietnam
Feel the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh city while working in Asia!
If you want something more short-term, or are looking for summer jobs in Asia, try Vietnam. What makes it one of the best places for working in Asia in 2018? Vietnam’s natural beauty, intriguing history, and digital nomad hotspots make it a winner. Expats usually find jobs for Americans in Asia in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, or smaller cities like Hue. In the big cities, you can find jobs in teaching English, IT, business, finance, engineering, construction, and agriculture. Before you go, learn some key Vietnamese phrases so you won’t feel like a fish (or a puppet) out of water.
Recommended program: Teach English in Vietnam with TEFL Heaven
See ALL jobs in Vietnam
9. Fiji
Spend your days at the office in Fiji.
Still daydreaming of alternative destinations for working in the South Pacific? Instead of struggling to find work abroad in Australia or New Zealand, say Bula to Fiji! Head to Viti Levu, the main island, to teach English or to the smaller islands to become a PADI instructor. Fiji offers a very unique cultural experience, with indigenous Fijian, Indian, Chinese, Tongan, and European influences. Fijians are also very friendly, so you’ll feel like part of the community in no time!
Recommended program: Teach English in Fiji with International TEFL Academy
See ALL jobs in Fiji
10. Nepal
Head to Kathmandu to teach English to monks, holy men, and school kids!
If you’re thinking of working in Asia and looking for a world within the world, try Nepal, a Himalayan nation wedged between India and China. In spite of the 2015 earthquake, this mountainous country of fluttering prayer flags, snowy peaks, and butter tea is an absolute dream destination for TEFL teachers. Make a real difference by teaching Buddhist monks or kids English in Dr. Strange film locations like Kathmandu.
Recommended program: Teach English in Nepal with International TEFL Academy
See ALL jobs in Nepal
A note from GoAbroad
We’d like to thank our community for not only inspiring us daily, but for also giving us enough insight to share accurate predictions for meaningful travel in 2018.
Learn more about our research methodology, recommended programs, and links here.
Browse more of this year's report on top destinations for working abroad
- Best Destinations to Find Jobs Worldwide in 2018
- Best Destinations to Find Jobs in Europe for 2018
- Best Destinations to Find Jobs in the Americas for 2018
- Best Destinations to Find Jobs in Africa for 2018
- See ALL top destinations for ALL travel