Editor’s note: This article is part of our Meaningful Travel Forecast series and official travel report for 2019. ☆ Have you ever sat down and day-dreamt about what it would be like to live and work abroad? Maybe you’ve dreamt about it, but have held yourself back because you don’t speak the language of where you’d like to live and work, or because you wouldn’t know where to start when it comes to looking for cool jobs overseas. Don’t worry! There are countless jobs abroad for English speakers, and you’re sure to find one in your area of work (or in one you’d like to explore)!
Read the GoAbroad Official Report on the 10 Best Types of Expat Jobs in 2019
Now that you’ve set your sight on working abroad, it’s time to start exploring all the amazing job opportunities abroad! It can seem daunting at first, because there are truly so many paths for you to pursue, but once you start looking through the programs, there’s bound to be one that’ll jump out at you. Think about what kind of job you’d like to pursue while you’re working abroad, and where you’d like to go to work.
Do you want to work somewhere familiar to you, (linguistically, culturally, gastronomically etc…), or do you want to step out of your comfort zone and try something truly new to you? Once you figure that out, you can start looking at the best sectors for work abroad.
We reached out to our network of job agencies, current and former expats, travelers of all shapes and sizes, and international educators to find out the “what’s what” of expat jobs this year. Read on to learn our collective predictions—and to find out which opportunity is the right one for YOU. Ready to find the perfect job overseas? Here are the 10 best types of expat jobs in 2019:
The best types of international jobs for English speakers in 2019
1. Hospitality
If you’re looking to learn about new cultures, and how to blend into said cultures, hospitality is a perfect industry for you. Since many of these positions are found in hotels, or restaurants in areas with many tourists, there can be many jobs abroad for English speakers available within this area of work. Whether you want to be a chef at an international ski camp, or work in a hotel down under, you’ll become a part of the community in which you work, and learn all about local traditions, or dishes, all while working in an energetic, and fast-paced environment.
2. Education
Perhaps you’re interested in a career that will allow you to teach others English while potentially learning another language yourself from your students. A great way to expand your teaching repertoire, and your skills of working with a diverse body of individuals is by teaching abroad. Whether you’re interested in tutoring or in paid teaching, the sky's the limit when it comes to education, and you can do it anywhere in the world. Although you can teach any subject while abroad, there are often great teaching jobs abroad for English speakers due to the current necessity of learning English.
“The easiest sectors to get jobs abroad will for sure be education, hospitality, and tourism, since that's where the demand will be next year.”—Cathryn Fortuna, GoAbroad Editor
3. Tourism
If you’re addicted to traveling, and want to help others achieve their dreams of seeing the world, the tourism industry might be right for you. Working in tourism gives you lots of flexibility: you can work in a hotel, local attractions, for a travel company, as a tour guide, or even as a flight attendant. No matter what you do, you’ll get hands-on experience, which can only boost your resume, and your confidence.
- Traveler’s program pick: International Camps Network's Jobs in Germany
4. Business
Business has become such an international sector now that at some point, you are more than likely to interact with international clientele. To get that extra layer of experience, and learn first-hand how to communicate interculturally, check out expat jobs in the field of business. You’ll improve your professional skills, while forging personal connections to help you get ahead. Whether you’re interested in learning about the constant changing business world in China, or want to learn more about accounting, get suited up for those business positions overseas!
Whether you're joining a program, striking out on your own, a student looking to learn a new language, a professional wanting to work in a different culture, or a volunteer, there are thousands of op's out there waiting to be found. Be patient, be persistent, and be flexible with your plans.—Aaron Horwath in "9 Best Places to Live Abroad for a Year"
Are you interested in working with social media to develop marketing strategies, or to see how you can cater advertising to an international market? You’ll want to do plenty of research to see how marketing positions in different countries operate, and to determine what exactly your goal is with your work abroad. Maybe you’re thinking about working on social media marketing in China or you want to learn how the land of Oktoberfest advertises such events. Ultimately, learning how to work within an international field can only benefit you positively!
6. Psychology
As discussion surrounding mental health becomes more transparent, and universal, the way different cultures and individuals react to these discussions is important to understand. A great way to learn these differences, and to become more sensitive to them, is to work abroad. If you are already a professional trained in the US, you can sometimes find jobs abroad for English speakers, as some countries lack the number of trained psychologists that are found in the US. Be sure before you look into these positions abroad to research licensing requirements, and the specializations most needed where you would like to go.
7. Photography
Are you looking to expand your photography portfolio to more than just run of the mill photos you can take at home? Whether you want to be an event photographer to learn more about cultural events, and interact with people, or you want to explore the world of photojournalism, there are plenty of places for you to experiment with your photography career. Not only that, but you might be able to capture photos of places you’ve never been, while also showing the world the beauty of traveling!
The concept of a working holiday is coming back into fashion. Young people return home from these experiences rich with the lessons learned from cultural exchange, and without the burden of debt to finance it.—Thomas Pastorius, Alliance Abroad
8. Au Pair
A great international job for English speakers is being an au pair. If you have experience working with children, and want to simultaneously explore a new city, this is the work for you. Many families look for a native English speaker, and you’ll have your housing sorted out for the duration of your stay. Make sure you figure out where you’d like to live, and speak thoroughly with potential families regarding their expectations of you, how many hours you’ll work, and your time off. Be smart about doing your research, and don’t be afraid to ask too many questions!
9. Nursing
Working as a nurse abroad will give you the opportunity to treat patients with different backgrounds, and cultures, and teach you about how medical techniques vary around the world. In order to have this cool job overseas, you will need to be a licensed nurse. Be sure to research what exams or classes you may have to take in order to be legally licensed in whatever country you choose to explore.
- Traveler’s program pick: Healthcare Counselor at an International Ski Camp
10. Resort
If you’ve ever dreamt of staying at a resort, but looked at the price tag in horror, think about working a resort job abroad instead! You’ll get to experience the views, the country, and other amenities that come with resort living, while also earning some money. One of the best things about working a resort job, is that you can choose a sandy beach spa resort, or a lodge up the mountains! There are plenty of resorts in all locations, so find what suits you, and get going! Remember, you’ll have the possibility to explore on your days off, so choose somewhere that you’d like to explore.
- Traveler’s program pick: EA Ski & Snowboarding
Next steps to finding short-term expat jobs abroad
Here are handful of resources to get you started on your very own journey to becoming an expat abroad. 2019 could be YOUR year to find international jobs—and we can help make it happen! Get free program recommendations that match your travel goals, or use MyGoAbroad to bookmark and compare program options with confidence.
Still hungry for more? Bookmark these bad boys:
Work Abroad Inspiration
Program Selection Advice
- How to Choose Between Work Abroad Programs
- 8 Best Jobs Abroad This Year
- Short & Sweet (and Well-Paid) Summer Jobs Abroad
Paying for Your Life Abroad
- How to Save for a Work Abroad Program
- 10 Cheapest Countries to Live & Work
- 10 Highest-Paid Teaching Jobs Abroad
[Get Matched with 5 Work Abroad Programs for FREE]
Find cool jobs overseas this year!
Where will YOU choose to work abroad this year?
There it is, the 10 best types of expat jobs in 2019 as predicted by experts in worker mobility. We’re confident that these 10 job types will continue to provide awesome, meaningful work (and adventures) for aspiring expats this year.
Regardless of whether you want to find a permanent job overseas or a temporary seasonal one, there are plenty of international jobs for English speakers available. Granted, there’s no magical “English workers wanted abroad” sign universally posted around, but with a little bit of research, you’re sure to find the best job for you. So why not start now?
If you still haven’t nailed down the perfect job overseas, or are still struggling to start looking, check out GoAbroad’s extensive list of jobs abroad for English speakers (and for those who are seeking to learn a new language). It’s important that you find a job that not only sounds interesting to you, but is one that you can picture yourself doing for some time. When you find the job for you, in the place for you, you’re sure to have the time of your life (while also earning some money as well)!