Gap Year Jobs Abroad

Author Susan Griffith's book and discussion of the Gap Year describes why year-long gap year jobs, short-term work, internships, teaching English, long-term travel, and summer study are part of a significant trend that has spread from England to the U.S. in recent years. We explore the primary options for U.S. students.

Exploring Your Gap Year Options will likely be one of many paths in life to pursue before or during your college years. The experience of extended travel through jobs abroad opens up new worlds and invaluable adaptability skills in the long term or as part of a job and career choices.

Please note that many jobs abroad require visas, which are sometimes challenging to procure by U.S. citizens, depending upon the rules of the destination country. Our piece on How to Get Work Permits Abroad provides an overview on obtaining visas allowing work abroad, and ultimately the specific rules of the destination must be observed, with information provided in articles and links for releveant resources within other sections of the site. See William Nolting's article on the subject: An Introduction to Short-term Paid Work Programs for Students and Recent Graduates for programs abroad that address some work permit issues for Americans in several countries through programs that have deleloped specific agreements with host countries. Keep in mind that all such agreements are subject the rules of countries abroad that are subject to change.

InterExchange Work and Learning Abroad Programs InterExchange, a nonprofit organization with more than 50 years of cultural exchange experience, offers work programs for U.S. citizens in a variety of countries, including during the summer. Working Holiday Programs are offered in Australia and Canada (18-35). Group Tours in Costa Rica and the U.K. Fellowships worldwide.

InterExchange Work & Travel Canada Our program enables US Citizens ages 18-35 to obtain a Working Holiday Visa in Canada for up to one year. For our department: WorkingAbroad.org.

BUNAC Work in Australia Dreaming of a rockin' adventure down under? Of course you are. With its amazing surfing, vibrant cities, tropical rainforests and relaxed living, it's easy to understand why Australia is one of the world's most popular backpacker destinations. At BUNAC, we have two different working holiday programs for you to choose from. We'll assist with job and accommodation hunting on arrival, BUNAC's full supportive packages for up to 12 months will make your working holiday the experience of a lifetime.

Anywork Anywhere
Resources for work, adventure and travel throughout the UK, Europe and Worldwide. Many opportunities provide accommodations and are full-time temporary positions, with contracts running from 1 week to 12 months; permanent vacancies are also advertised.

CIEE: Gap Year Abroad
Gap years or gap semesters for pre-university students arranged in six countries. Program includes language classes, housing and meals with local host families, and community service, arrival orientation and excursions, insurance, and 24 hour support. Paid semester and year Teach Abroad programs in three countries are available.

Global Choices: Gap Year & Working Holiday Jobs
Offers working holiday programs in Argentina, Austria, Australia, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, the U.K., and the U.S.A.

Real Gap Experience
Provides a range of travel, volunteer, and work programs such as short-term conservation volunteering in Australia, working with wildlife in Southern Africa, paid teaching in China, and volunteer placements in Latin America.

Seasonworkers.com
A U.K. site, provides a very diverse listing of jobs for all seasons around the globe. Also provided are tools by which those who have such work experience may stay in touch and network with past co-workers via their active messageboard.

Student Work Abroad Program (SWAP)
Administered by the Canadian Federation of Students. Co-ordinates a working holiday program for Canadian students and non-students in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and South Africa.