Has anyone ever dropped it all and worked/travelled abroad?
Discussion
A thread for that little voice in many travellers who've come home and got a settled job that keeps saying, "Why not go back for more?"
With the UK job market looking pretty grim, how many people have seriously considered it and has anyone actually done it now or in the past? What are peoples' experiences?
The thought of doing a professional Teaching English qualification or working for a travel company on the ground in somewhere much more exotic than the Midlands keeps rearing it's head
I've always met a few semi permanent-travellers, working for a few months then heading off for a few more somewhere else every time I've been on a decent length trip overseas and I've always wondered whether the dream of living next to a white sandy beach and cruising round on a moped chatting to endless blonde hotties is really all it's cracked up to be
With the UK job market looking pretty grim, how many people have seriously considered it and has anyone actually done it now or in the past? What are peoples' experiences?
The thought of doing a professional Teaching English qualification or working for a travel company on the ground in somewhere much more exotic than the Midlands keeps rearing it's head
I've always met a few semi permanent-travellers, working for a few months then heading off for a few more somewhere else every time I've been on a decent length trip overseas and I've always wondered whether the dream of living next to a white sandy beach and cruising round on a moped chatting to endless blonde hotties is really all it's cracked up to be
As you're already in the travel industry (agent I presume given your knowledge?) then try the usual suspects like Exodus, Oxford Walking Tours etc and you might get lucky in becoming one of their tour leaders. OK it's not much cash but you do get to travel and get paid for it and occasioanlyl meet intersting folk. I think for some of the overland stuff you might have trouble breaking into if you do not have any experience but you could start out with some of the easier European trips esp if you speak another language well.
If you have a particular skill / language this could add strings to your bow.
All the tour leaders I have met seemed to really enjoy their work and meeting new folks. One was lucky enough to run a number of trips for Exodus and spent time in Corsica in the mountains and then cycling in Cuba. He was very pleased with how things turned out.
Chris
If you have a particular skill / language this could add strings to your bow.
All the tour leaders I have met seemed to really enjoy their work and meeting new folks. One was lucky enough to run a number of trips for Exodus and spent time in Corsica in the mountains and then cycling in Cuba. He was very pleased with how things turned out.
Chris
Yes Katie and I did at the end of 2007.
Gave up proper jobs, sold cars and house and moved out to the French Alps.
Still here trying to make our businesses work!
Most of our family thought we were mad giving up our careers, money and everything but most of our friends thought brave decision why not!
Gave up proper jobs, sold cars and house and moved out to the French Alps.
Still here trying to make our businesses work!
Most of our family thought we were mad giving up our careers, money and everything but most of our friends thought brave decision why not!
yes chris, we've been renting a chalet for the winter so haven't a summer business as such... we're in the process of trying to buy our own chalet which if we manage we will have an all year round business... in the interim if anyone wants to come we can find them accomodation at good friends (aka competitors)..
polarbert ......... he's your man to talk to about this me thinks, currently living it up in the USA 
I left the UK in January, got fed up of the commute into the City - and there weren't any other decent opportunities near me.
I moved out to Abu Dhabi, and I've been here for about 5 months now. It's been a good challenge, but now I'm ready to move on again I feel, and I don't fancy coming home and paying tax!
If I do decide to give up the position here, I'll just go traveling until the next tax year - having my travels paid for by HMRC!
I moved out to Abu Dhabi, and I've been here for about 5 months now. It's been a good challenge, but now I'm ready to move on again I feel, and I don't fancy coming home and paying tax!
If I do decide to give up the position here, I'll just go traveling until the next tax year - having my travels paid for by HMRC!
I'm hoping to do this soon. If I had the money I would go travelling tomorrow, trying to save up at the mo. To be fair, I wouldn't be giving much as I work as a temp and I rent. I am currently sick of living in this s
thole! I think a nice year of travelling around the world would be the best thing I will ever do!
thole! I think a nice year of travelling around the world would be the best thing I will ever do! My family and I were chugging along with life, everything comfortable and familiar, nice house, kids happy at school, secure job for me, no real moans to speak of.
Out of the blue came an offer of a lifetime that was a little scary but just too good to turn down. We gave it a lot of thought and basically deceided if we didn't go for it we would never get the chance again and would always regret not making the move.
We now live in Northern Italy and are enjoying it very much, life is very good but can be difficult at times due to the language but we have no regrets what so ever.
Better to have given it a go than think what if for the rest of your life, you never know what it could lead on to.
Go for it, you only live once!
Out of the blue came an offer of a lifetime that was a little scary but just too good to turn down. We gave it a lot of thought and basically deceided if we didn't go for it we would never get the chance again and would always regret not making the move.
We now live in Northern Italy and are enjoying it very much, life is very good but can be difficult at times due to the language but we have no regrets what so ever.
Better to have given it a go than think what if for the rest of your life, you never know what it could lead on to.
Go for it, you only live once!
smifffymoto said:
We had had enough of Blighty so moved to the Pyrenees,me,wife,2 kids,2 dogs.We have been here 2 months and the campsite bookings are taking off,thank fk
k
Where are you? I'd love to do this but realistically we'd only get as far as Dorset due to SWMBO's family.I've done three overland trips and haven't wanted to come home at the end of each one but real life* intervened.
*ie the need for cash.
Currently working and living in Ukraine, although to be honest still actually employed by UK company: here on a project that could be as much as another 6 - 8 years. I've been here about a year and it is amazing how you can adapt to a different lifestyle.
The language is a real sod (not helped by there being Ukrainian to deal with as well as Russian) - trying to learn Russian, but it is such a difficult language to learn, not least getting used to the alphabet!
Biggest issue with this end of the world (in adapting) is the difference in retail culture (all cash vs UK: buy everything on the card!) but the natives are very friendly.
I would say that you have to have an idea what you are going to do....just shuffling off somewhere without some plan is just a long holiday! But I must admit having been here a year or so that I wonder if I should have tried it earlier: so go for it!
The language is a real sod (not helped by there being Ukrainian to deal with as well as Russian) - trying to learn Russian, but it is such a difficult language to learn, not least getting used to the alphabet!
Biggest issue with this end of the world (in adapting) is the difference in retail culture (all cash vs UK: buy everything on the card!) but the natives are very friendly.
I would say that you have to have an idea what you are going to do....just shuffling off somewhere without some plan is just a long holiday! But I must admit having been here a year or so that I wonder if I should have tried it earlier: so go for it!
Funnily enough, have just got the opportunity to go live in Seoul for 6months - despite the interruption to my career (HSBC are sending my Mrs to lead up a team there & consequently pay for everything) I cant help but think its an opportunity not to be missed. Maybe I'll find some great photography contacts whilst I'm there, who knows! Either way I think its a must-do.
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