Welcome to Smaller Earth

Smaller Earth is passionate about giving individuals the opportunity to make a real and positive impact through a variety of unique and exciting opportunities all over the world.

Whether you want to volunteer abroad in Africa, or you are more interested in Gap Year Travel (perhaps through a working holiday in Australia or Canada), we have over 70 programmes to suit every budding traveller. Alternatively, if you feel that you could benefit from real career development, we also offer the opportunity to undertake Internships abroad (in countries as diverse as Mexico and India).

Regardless of your ultimate aim, you are guaranteed to learn valuable life lessons from work and travel abroad. Read on for an overview of the many experiences offered by Smaller Earth.

Work and Travel Abroad

Taking on the challenge of working in another country is undoubtedly a big one. At the same time, the buzz of walking into a new workplace for the first time is amplified hugely when coupled with living in a new country!

There are several ways you can work abroad, depending on the length of time available to you and your budget. If you're a University Student, consider applying to our USA Summer Work and Travel program. This allows you to undertake a position with a variety of employers in America between June and September. You'll gain real work experience, earn a real wage and get a real slice of life in the USA.

If you're thinking of undertaking a Gap Year, working holidays are available in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, for periods of up to 12 months (with some opportunities allowing you to apply for a second visa).

Internships Abroad

Undergoing a placement at almost any organisation will give vital work experience to anyone wishing to give their career a boost. If you want to go a step further, taking on internships abroad is a sure-fire way to help you develop those extra skills whilst also providing a different cultural take on your chosen industry sector.

A popular choice we currently offer involves a 6-month stay in Mexico undertaking Marine Conservation work. This includes full a PADI dive training course, as well as comprehensive training on the flora and fauna you will encounter beneath the waves.

A more academic option is to undertake a Business Internship in India. Placements are available across several fields, including Architecture, Marketing and Hospitality.

Volunteer Abroad

There are few ways you can have a more selfless impact than through working as a volunteer abroad. With the increase in international travel, more and more opportunities to make a difference have arisen in even the farthest corners of the globe.

Smaller Earth strive to only support sustainable projects, meaning that the cost for participation primarily goes to the long-term maintenance of the project, should outside influences suddenly leave a shortage of volunteers. This means that a community will never be left without a project they have come to rely upon.

A large proportion of the volunteer opportunities we offer are based in Africa (more specifically Zambia, Kenya and Zimbabwe), spread across a wide array of areas. Popular choices include Lion Rehabilitation in Zimbabwe and teaching Orphans affected by AIDS/HIV in South Africa.

Gap Year Travel

A year travelling can make all the difference to your CV when you decide to forge a career in your chosen sector. With the recent increase in University fees, more and more individuals are opting for a gap year over an immediate academic experience as they weigh up what they want to do with their life.

Naturally, any combination of programs offered by Smaller Earth will contribute to an incredible Gap Year. At the same time, we understand that you will want to keep flight costs to a minimum in order to maximise the choices you have when you aren't in the air. If you're on a tighter budget, we can also make sure that as much of your time as possible is spent earning (rather than spending) money so that you at least have a chance of breaking even by the end of your trip!

Some strong contenders for any gap year include our Outback Work & Travel program in Australia and our Canada Ski Experience. Both will drop you into a guaranteed job in the heart of what makes both countries special. Best of all - you get paid as well!