Ah, graduation is behind you and now there’s only sweet, sweet freedom to enjoy ahead. Apart from the fact that you should probably be thinking about a career! Many recent high school graduates are taking the path less trodden, deciding to take a year off instead of throwing themselves headfirst into a career or college. And while gap years used to be reserved only for the trust fund kids, times have changed.
Gap years are becoming increasingly popular. And why wouldn’t they? A gap year is an excellent way to get some international experience, learn new skills, become independent and figure out what you’d like to do with the rest of your life. Plus, you get to travel the world, experience new cultures, meet new people and have an adventure.
Before you book your one-way ticket, it’s important to think about what you want to get from your gap year and what job might be the right fit for you. But worry not, we have compiled a list of 11 gap year jobs that are hiring right now—some are even paid gap year jobs!
11 gap year jobs abroad with YOUR name on ‘em
If you’re thinking, “I’d love to take a gap year, but I have no idea how to get gap year jobs overseas”, then don’t worry, you’re not alone. Looking for your first paid job after school can be intimidating enough, but to make it even scarier, you’re looking abroad, possibly even in a country where you don’t speak the language.
The great news is that there are tons of programs and organizations that are there to help you find the perfect jobs during your gap year. Whether you’re interested in teaching, working as an au pair, or interning, there’s a gap year job out there with your name on it.
1. Ski or Snowboard Instructor in New Zealand with EA Ski and Snowboard
Let’s jump right in with an absolute dream job! Have you ever dreamt of spending time in the adventure capital of the world, hitting the slopes every day AND getting paid for it? Stop dreaming and start waxing your skis, because EA Ski & Snowboard offers you the opportunity to work and travel in New Zealand on your gap year while working as a ski or snowboard instructor.
They offer some of the world’s best training courses, no matter what your experience level. And once you’ve finished your course, you’re guaranteed a job as an instructor. Sounds like a win-win to us!
- Where? Central Otago, Christchurch, Queenstown, South Island, Taup (New Zealand)
- What? Ski or Snowboard instructor training followed by a paid job offer
- Average pay? $$$
- More program info
2. Tutor English and Learn Mandarin with Aupairia
If languages are your thing, you’ll be spoilt for choice with international gap year jobs. One of the most popular countries for language immersion gap years is China and for good reason. Auparia place you with a local family, where you’ll be immersed in local culture and become a part of the family. You’ll tutor the kids in English and, in return, receive Mandarin language lessons either at a university or local language school.
To make it extra easy for you to decide, they even throw in free roundtrip flights to China, free room and board, plus fun cultural activities like visiting the terracotta warriors or the Great Wall of China. You’ll also receive pocket money of 1000 RMB per month to explore even more on your days off.
- Where? Beijing, Dalian, Shanghai, Shenzhen (China)
- What? English tutoring and studying Mandarin
- Average pay? $
- More program info
3. Hospitality Gap Year in Argentina with WATAR
Is South America high on your bucket list? Great, because we’ve got the perfect gap year travel jobs for you! It’s not a year off, its a year on if you head to Argentina with Work & Travel Argentina (WATAR). Explore all Buenos Aires has to offer while working in hospitality, learning Spanish and meeting people from around the world.
For the first few months, you’ll live and work in a hostel, immerse yourself in a new culture and brush up on your Spanish skills. At the end of the program, WATAR helps you get another job if you can’t get enough of Argentina and want to stay on.
- Where? Buenos Aires (Argentina)
- What? Hospitality jobs
- Average pay? $$
- More program info
4. All-round Entertainer with Active Leisure Projects
If you’ve always loved summer camp and are a natural born entertainer, then this might be the best gap year job for you. Work as an all-round entertainer with a group of outgoing and fun people from all around the world and get paid for it!
But this isn’t just any old hotel job, you get to work on the Canary Islands in Spain, which officially hold the title of having the best climate in the world. While no work experience is required, you should be energetic, friendly and able to stay for a minimum of five months. Shared rooms and board are included, plus you earn a minimum of €800 per month while having the time of your life and learning Spanish. Say “Adios” to boredom and “Hola” to your new life in Spain!
- Where? Canary Islands (Spain)
- What? Entertainer
- Average pay? $$$$
- More program info
5. Nanny Gap Year in the UK with Heavenly Au Pairs and Nannies
If it’s gap year jobs in Europe you’re after, then why not head to good old England to follow in Mary Poppins’ footsteps? Heavenly Au Pair and Nannies places grads who love spending time with children, in British families, for a few months in the summer, up to a full year. The hands on, relationship-oriented nature of this opportunity could be a great primer for future steps if you’re seeking gap year jobs before medical school, for instance!
Your days will be spent playing and looking after the kids, helping with school runs and light housework. In your off time, you get to explore one of Europe’s most rich and exciting capitals, London, and you get to make friends from all around the world. And if you have a little previous experience in childcare you can earn a very decent salary on top.
- Where? London
- What? Nannying
- Average pay? $-$$$
- More program info
6. Work on a Farm in Australia with Numadi
Not all gap year jobs have to be urban. If you love the great outdoors, then why not work on a farm in Australia, one of the most productive agricultural countries in the world? Numadi can place you on a farm with a local family, or in hostels with other program participants, so you won’t be lonely despite the rural locations.
From dairy jobs to cropping, horticulture to construction, there are many jobs available. Compensation is very generous. Thanks to a livable Australian minimum wage, you’ll earn AUD$18.93 per hour. That’s plenty to save up so you can travel around this stunning country at the end of your placement.
- Where? Multiple locations in Australia
- What? Farm work, construction
- Average pay? $$$$
- More program info
7. Teach English in Senegal or Dozens of Other Locations with International TEFL Academy
Teaching English has long been one of the best ways to travel while getting paid. Worried you don’t have the relevant certification yet? No problem, because International TEFL Academy provides the training and then helps you find a teaching job.
International TEFL Academy run certified TEFL courses both online and in person, so you can choose when you want your adventure to start. While in Senegal you’ll gain practical teaching experience, meet other English teachers from around the world and immerse yourself in a rich and vibrant culture.
- Where? Senegal and beyond
- What? Teaching English
- Average pay? $$
- More program info
8. Perform Across Italy with EDUCO
Are you passionate about performing arts, theatre and entertainment? Do you also love to travel? How would you like combining these two passions to perform your way across Italy with a crew of fellow artists? It sounds too good to be true, but EDUCO makes it a reality.
EDUCO is a non-profit supported by the Italian government that promotes student-centered learning through the application of theatre and drama practices. As one of the performers, you’ll tour schools around Italy and share fairy tales, sketches, musicals and Shakespeare adaptations with kids of all ages in English. And best of all? You get paid around €250 per week in addition to accommodation and food.
- Where? Across Italy
- What? Performance and Theatre Job
- Average pay? $$$
- More program info
9. Culinary Jobs in Colorado with International Recruitment Exchange Services (IRES)
If you’re planning to stay a little closer to home and have an appetite to learn some new culinary skills (see what we did there?) this one might be for you. IRES is looking for young foodies to get culinary training at a ski resort in Colorado Springs.
You’ll learn different kitchen and service skills, from knife skills to hospitality logistics. Plus, you get paid a very competitive salary that’ll let you grow your travel fund for after your placement. To sweeten the deal even more, employee housing is also offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. So better hurry to Colorado!
- Where? Colorado Springs (US)
- What? Culinary training and work
- Average pay? $$$
- More program info
10. Work and Travel in Australia with Alliance Abroad Group
Heading to Australia to work is one of the most gap year jobs for Americans especially! Why? Australia has long been the mother country of all gap years. And for good reason. Flocks of gappers head Down Under every year to work and experience this magical continent first hand. Australia is a gap year dreamland, but handling all the logistics can also be confusing, from applying for working holiday visas to finding paid gap year jobs and accommodation.
Alliance Abroad Group (AA Group) takes all the hassle out of your preparations. They help you find a job before you even touch down and support you along the way. Hospitality jobs are the most popular jobs and pay is more than fair, letting you save up for travel afterwards.
- Where? Multiple locations across Australia
- What? Mainly hospitality jobs
- Average pay? $$$$
- More program info
11. Teach English in Italy with InterExchange
Most people only ever dream of visiting, never mind living, in Italy, but it doesn’t have to be this way. If you join InterExchange you’ll be saying “Buongiorno” to your gap year in no time.
This super popular program places native English speakers in local schools or with local families as private tutors. You’ll gain solid English teaching experience, live with and learn Italian from a host family, enjoy delicious Italian cuisine and have the opportunity to travel through one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Many students also have time to pick up some private tutoring in addition to their teaching, to help them save up extra money to travel more. Past participants rave about their experience and the support they received from InterExchange.
- Where? Multiple locations in Italy
- What? Teaching English
- Average pay? $
- More program info
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There you have it, 12 amazing gap year jobs that will let you travel, learn, earn some cash and have an adventure of a lifetime! But what are the best gap year jobs? That’s for YOU to decide as you figure out what type of work you want to do abroad. Whether you love to work with kids, teach, hit the slopes, or entertain, there’s a gap year waiting for you. Now the only thing left to do is pick one and get planning!
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