Summer Camp
'What is Summer Camp?' Your Guide to a Summer of a Lifetime
Smaller Earth
November 20, 2023
Gap Year Jobs Abroad
The best year of your life is here.
Gap years abroad are an exhilarating chance to explore the unknown, and to find new opportunities as a result.
View our programs ↓Gap Year Abroad Overview
Travel Level
Location/Work Type Dependent
Job Examples
Teaching, Hospitality, Summer Camp
Destinations
USA, Japan and South Korea
Age Range
18+
Gap Year Jobs Abroad Guide
"Gap year - [English] Noun: A unique cultural phenomenon - members of the human species, either alone or in a small flock, spread their (figurative) wings and fly to another location on the globe. What they seek is uncertain - it's a journey of self-discovery, different for each individual.
We couldn't have said it better ourselves...
A gap year is a cultural phenomenon of self-discovery, seeking life-defining moments in unfamiliar locations. Why? As often, opening a new door will lead to a whole new world of opportunities and experiences, so gap year jobs abroad are the perfect steps to take.
Gap years abroad allow you to travel, learn, and earn whilst promising a fresh perspective, pushing your life in exciting and unexpected directions. Plus, it's not just limited to students between studies; you may decide to take a sabbatical or a year off from your profession to see the world.
Who knows, it could change your outlook forever.
Who can get a gap year job abroad?
Nearly anyone! Some gap year jobs abroad are limited due to visa requirements (e.g., Canada's IEC visa age limit, or difficulties with a criminal record). Aside from that, gap year jobs abroad hire people globally with hundreds of thousands of placements happening yearly.
Are gap year jobs abroad hard to get?
Simply, no. Although the process can be longer, as you must account for visa application processes and other legal things, it’s not necessarily hard. As with most gap year jobs abroad with agencies, they’ll have teams to help you through each stage, meaning you can focus on being excited instead.
Where can I get a gap year job abroad?
Gap-year jobs abroad can depend on when you’re starting your gap year abroad. For students, it may be after the term finishes in May, which means summer camp is perfect. If you’re taking time from work it could be at any point, so it’s best to check the seasonality of each gap year job abroad.
Why should I work a gap year Job Abroad?
A gap year job abroad is the perfect chance to experience something new while figuring out what avenue to take, whether with your studies or work. A gap year abroad is great fun, an opportunity to build new key skills, and most importantly, a way to travel the world creating lifelong memories.
What kind of jobs are available for those seeking a gap year abroad?
Language Assistant
A role as a language assistant is ideal for anyone who is interested in getting involved with classroom work overseas. As a language assistant, your job would be to assist the main language teacher in the classroom, offering support to them, getting involved with conversation practice with the students and taking lead with cultural exchange learning. Qualifications for language teaching depends on the program you go through to secure the work.
Ski/Snowboarding Instructor
Ski instructors typically work at ski resorts in mountainous regions worldwide, including popular destinations like Aspen in the United States, Verbier in Switzerland, Mt Ruapehu or Niseko in Japan. If you took this role you would be teaching skiing techniques, assessing people's skill levels, and ensuring everyone has a safe learning experience on the slopes. Instructors typically teach in groups or they can offer private lessons to individuals.
Teaching English as a foreign language
As a TEFL/TESOL teacher, you're responsible for teaching English to students who are not native English teachers. Our teaching portal included in the program contains prepared lesson plans that will support your efforts in teaching abroad.
Lifeguard
The job of a lifeguard is responsible, but mainly a simple and fun job, through which you have a unique chance to get to know the USA.
The content of your work will be to ensure the safety of visitors to the pool assigned to you. Keeping the pool itself and its surroundings clean is a matter of course.
It also includes a course of the American Red Cross, so thanks to the program you will gain experience and knowledge that you will use in the future.
Even before the interview and the course itself, you will complete a preliminary exam so that you know that you will be able to complete the course 100% and that the summer in the USA is very close.
The pools are mainly located on the east coast in the states of Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia.
Gastronomy and Culinary
Gastronomy and culinary is an exciting division to work in for aspiring chefs and culinary enthusiasts.
You'll gain hands-on experience in preparing and cooking dishes, and learn about the operational side of running a kitchen.
You'll gain a solid understanding of what it takes to operate a high-volume, high-quality kitchen, and the skills to succeed in a dynamic culinary environment.
Departments include:
- Banquet Kitchens
- Fine Dining
- Speciality Kitchens
Food and Beverage
As a member of the food and beverage team, you'll experience the fast-paced environment of bars and restaurants, and rotate through various departments.
This will give you a wide range of experience and a taste of what it's like to work in different settings, honing your skills in customer service and operational efficiency.
Departments include:
- Fine Dining
- Casual Dining
- Banquets & Events
Front Desk
Front desk is an important part of the hotel team, responsible for ensuring that guests have a smooth check-in and check-out process, providing them with information about the hotel and its amenities, and addressing any concerns or requests they may have during their stay.
You'll also have the chance to develop your leadership skills by learning how to manage the department from a supervisory perspective.
Departments include:
- Front Desk
- Reservations
- Sales
- Concierge
General Camp Counselor
If you’re the type who can help out in a variety of ways, you’ll make a great General Counselor.
You’ll get to take part in all the fun camp activities, and experience something new every day.
You’ll be a role model for your small group of campers, and you’ll be the person they’ll turn to if they need help.
You can make a big impact on your group because you’ll be with them day in and day out. You’ll get to watch them grow over the summer, which makes this a truly rewarding role.
Qualifications: No qualifications are needed for this role.
FAQS
How do I prepare for a gap year?
Going on a gap year is a big, yet incredible, journey.
You need to make sure you prepare properly, both for leaving your home country and for when you arrive in your new one.
This includes things such as:
- Sort existing contracts/costs
- Travel Insurance
- Savings
- Visas Vaccinations
- Flights
- Correct Currency
- Initial accommodation
- Bank Account & Tax Setup
- Orientation
- Find an agency to secure your work abroad
What is the benefit of a gap year?
There are a huge array of benefits to working a gap year job, such as:
- Versatility & Adaptability
- Varied Experience
- Developed Professional Background
- New Technical Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Getting out of your comfort zone
- Grow your professional network
- Meeting new friends for life
- Earn money to continue your travels
What should I do in a gap year?
The beauty of a gap year is that you're completely in control.
It's best to begin by planning out a rough idea of what you would like to do.
What are you skill sets? What experience do you have?
From here, you can begin to look for roles where you can make an impact.
Depending on which country you're looking at traveling to, you may also want to look at where these gap year jobs are based.
Are they in the country?
Do you have to be in a city?
Preparation is key!
But the most important thing about a gap year is to have the most incredible trip.
The people you'll meet and the stories you'll have to tell will stay with you a lifetime.
So the quicker you secure your gap year job, the quicker you can focus on the things in life which matter to you.
How can I make money in a gap year?
By securing a gap year job!
There are numerous roles available, which look specifically for those on a gap year working holiday visa.
That's because you'll be bringing different experiences to the table and need the job to be as flexible as they require you to be!
Hospitality is always a favourite for gap year travelers, as there's loads of opportunities to secure a gap year job in the industry, which will allow you to work abroad for the entire year.
You'll then be able to get involved in the famous 'hospo nights', heavily discounted social events for those working in the industry.
It's a great way to meet your fellow workers and to grow your network whilst you're away on your gap year abroad.
How does a gap year work?
A gap year involves heading to a new country and creating a new path for yourself.
Getting a gap year job allows you to balance work and play - you'll earn money to discover new places at a time and pace that works for you.
It allows you to work abroad for a year and with some visas, even longer.
By working a gap year job, you'll be around like-minded people who want to grow and see new areas of the world, just like you.
You'll be earning money through a consistent job, which allows you to plan the next stage of your journey and continue on one of the most exciting adventures you'll ever embark on.
For those on a stricter schedule, a gap year doesn't mean you have to work abroad for an entire year!
Although most visas will give you at least 3 months to work abroad, you can use it to fit your timescale.
So whether you want to shred the slopes for a few months during a winter season, or take in the rays across the summer, there's a job for you.
You will have to secure a working holiday visa to be able to participate and work in a gap year.
