It's a dream for many - moving to another country that they love, and then finding (or creating) meaningful work. It might be teaching English, leading food tours, freelancing, or becoming a travel advisor or agent to share the local culture, arts, and music with travelers. Some of these paths are definitely easier than others, in terms of visas, costs, and income. Let’s dig in.

6 Ways to Lead a Sustainable Life Overseas

Gather Your Tools, Degrees, and Certifications

There are some excellent tools for you to utilize in creating a sustainable income and life overseas. Do your research (that’s a constant refrain, honestly, in an business venture). What will you need to succeed?

One useful tool is travelshift marketplace software, which helps you set up a travel industry. If you’re not already ensconced in a culture, this is an excellent start – or a jump start if you’re a local or expat. 

If you want to teach English, get your TOEFL certificate. If you’re intent on working in a university overseas, apply for a Fulbright, or finish your PhD or other requirements that are necessary. If you’re interested in Foreign Service or Peace Corps work, start early – applications and training take a while. Don’t forget the fields of international development and public health.

Authentic?

There has been much discussion about (and promotion of) authentic travel experiences. Honestly? It’s becoming meaningless, when everyone is offering their version of it.  Airbnb’s CMO, Jonathan Mildenhall, talked with Skift last year, and noted that “the travel industry has overused the claim of authentic travel experiences and consumers are quite jaded and confused about what an authentic experience means.”

What does this mean for you, and working overseas, especially if you choose the travel industry? You’ve got to create a story. It isn’t enough to show something, or talk with someone about their experiences, whether you’re teaching or leading tours. Travelers want connection. Facilitate that!

If you’re teaching overseas, learn about your students’ lives. I bet they’ll be much different than your preconceived notions about the country, even if you’ve been there before.

Work hard to overcome your ethnocentric biases, and work toward being a intercultural adapter.

Dig deep, and share intercultural meanings and connections that create a learning experience that is true and realistic – that’s the kind of authentic that we can support, as global educators. 

Which one is an authentic experience? See the challenges?

Know Your Market

Let’s say you’ve always longed to live in a certain place. You’ve visited many times, you have some acquaintances, and all your friends ask for your location-specific travel advice. It’s different than living there! Maybe you want to teach small kids, and get hired for a high school position. Maybe you want to share the awesome street food in a city, but aren’t aware that there are many other food tours available. You want to write articles, guides, and books about a location – is the market flooded? Who will pay you? Will you enjoy the work? Who will you work with?

Create a Local Network

Whether you are being employed by a school, university, or company, are running a travel business, or earning money by freelancing, one of the most important things for your self – and your work – is to make friends, connections, cultural informants. As well, take a page from the field of anthropology and find your cultural informants, to teach you about the local culture, customs, systems, and mores. 

If you’re culturally conversant, you’ll adjust better – and provide better experiences through your work. I can’t overstate this enough: be culturally respectful. 

Which leads to…

Learn the Language

Of course! 

The Details

Taxes, visas, finances, insurance, transportation…these details can be overwhelming when you’re working overseas, especially if you are working for yourself. Nora Dunn has a fantastic guide that delves into this topic, called Working on the Road: The Unconventional Guide to Full-time Freedom. Here’s our interview with her.

It’s your life, your quest - how will you pursue it?

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