Looking to get away for longer than just a couple of weeks? There
are a variety of ways to explore another country with greater depth than a
brief vacation, but without the commitment of completely moving to another
country. Whether you’re just testing the waters for a permanent move, or just
curious to learn more about a country beyond the usual tourist routes, these
extended stays are a few ways to “try out” a country for a few months to a
year.
Image courtesy of Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Study Abroad
A popular and easy way to explore another country for an
extended period of time is to study abroad. Studying abroad is a great
opportunity for students to go for a semester or full year, to explore other
cultures and earn academic credit at the same time. Many colleges have study
abroad programs for a variety of majors; and going to another country for a few
months while at school is much easier to do than when you have things like
rent, a job, a family, or other responsibilities.
Studying abroad is not only for those in college, however; many
continuing education programs also offer programs that allow participants to
travel for a semester or more to explore another culture.
The key to a successful trip abroad
(study programs or otherwise) is detailed planning. While many programs provide
the basics like housing, major transportation, job/study program, etc., it is
up to you to figure out other living incidentals like food, day-to-day
transportation, job (if not provided), weather, cultural norms and language.
Ideally, you should educate
yourself on some basic and important phrases of the country’s language and know
how not to insult your prospective host(s).
Be sure to confirm your flight and travel details, even if the school is
making the arrangements for you.
Additionally, you will need to make
sure you have the correct visa to study abroad. Student visas
allow you to stay in a country for an extended period of time, though you
will have to demonstrate that you are enrolled in an accredited academic or
university program.
Some countries, such as the UK,
don’t require a visa if you’re staying for a semester less than six months,
while others require a visa no matter how long your stay will last, in which
case a two to three month travel visa would be more appropriate.
Volunteering
For those who have graduated, or would rather travel outside of
an education program, volunteering is another excellent way to explore a
culture while contributing to their community. Volunteering abroad is a good
choice for those who wish to make a difference in people’s lives, or to explore
what it is like to live fully immersed in the culture, or to gain new skills.
Some volunteer programs do provide a small stipend (like the
Peace Corps), but some other volunteer opportunities will require
you to pay for the experience. That cost usually includes housing, food, major
transportation, and also a donation as part of the volunteer opportunity.
Most volunteer programs involve teaching, construction,
agricultural expansion and development, engineering, or animal welfare. If you
are interested or have a background in these subjects, volunteering abroad may
be a good way for you to explore or expand your talents while learning about
another culture firsthand.
As with students, be sure to review the visa situation in your
country of choice; while many allow for travel up to two or three months,
review options for extension before committing to a program that requires a
stay beyond the standard visa.
Image courtesy of africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Working Abroad
For those who either need or want to get paid while exploring
another country, working abroad is a possible option. The benefits of working
abroad, other than the income, is that it also allows you to discover the
country on your own terms. You will have less of a set schedule or group of
people, as is often less of a program. You will, however, also be much more
responsible for all the details of your stay—from housing and transportation,
to food and the employment itself.
Those best suited for work abroad programs are those looking
for an experience for a year or less and would be comfortable in a service or
labor-oriented job. As saving money can be difficult, depending on the position
and the cost of living, those who seek to work abroad should have an amount of
“cushion” saved prior to embarking on the journey.
The easiest types of jobs to secure, if you travel to an
English-speaking country, are service positions. Teaching jobs are often in
demand as many other countries have English language classes, and you can be
qualified even without teaching experience as long as you obtain your TEFL Certification. As for working outside of
education, if you are fluent in the language of the country you are visiting, you
might be able to secure an office job, depending on the economic climate of the
country.
In many countries you can get a work holiday visa, which
allows you to work any job you can get, in any village, town, or city of your
choice. Please note that working visas often have age limits. For US citizens,
working visas are limited to Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore
and South Korea, as the U.S. government does not offer working holiday exchange
programs with any other country.
Regardless of the type of program,
if you are interested in extended travel, you should make sure you have your
documentation prepared and valid for at least six months beyond your stay.
Additionally, you should get a check-up and immunization for the country of
choice prior to leaving—some immunizations require several visits over a period
of months, so be sure to start that well in advance.
Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer in the Los Angeles area. Her writing has covered everything from health & wellness, tech and marketing. She’s had the opportunity to go abroad several times, loved each experience, and recommends traveling to anyone she can!
3 comments:
Dear Dori,
I'm sharing.
Kisses
Dori,
My sister Leticia studied abroad when she was fifteen years old, for one period of High School in Germany.
And, since then, she never stoped living outside our country, Brazil.
As an economist, she has worked in Genève for 5 years and in Ireland for two years. But, as volunteer, she stayed in Kenya for six months, and in Haiti for a month.
pax et bonum
Marcos
Sissym,
Thank you for sharing! Hugs to you! :)
Marcos,
Your sister's story is so interesting! What a journey she is having in her life :) Thank you so much for visiting me and commenting!
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