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Tag: travel

  • Careers in Travel

    Careers in Travel

    Are you itching to hop on a plane and end up somewhere completely different? Do you long to learn about other cultures but need a consistent paycheck while you are doing it? There are many jobs that involve travel—such as archaeology, geology and consulting, but we have narrowed down some job ideas for the travel-hungry that are a little more specific.

    English Teacher

    This is one of the best ways to start paying off student loans while getting to travel at the same time. Typically acquired by those who are fresh out of university, teaching English as a second language in different countries around the world typically requires a Bachelor’s degree, strong language and leadership skills, and a commitment of at least one year. This is a fantastic way to ease yourself into the work force while gaining life experience. Many of these teaching jobs take place specifically in China, Korea and Japan.

    Truck Driver

    Truck drivers are absolutely essential to our economy—they transport raw materials and finished goods over land on a deadline. If you decide to follow this route, you will be expected to inspect your vehicle consistently for safety and mechanical issues, and will often also be responsible for sales and customer service if you decide to operate your own business. This constant road-trip job can be lonely, but those who enjoy solitary work thrive and can earn a lot of money.

    Flight Attendant

    Of course the best way to see the world is to always be on a plane! Flight attendants are in charge of the safety and comfort of passengers on flights. While making sure the flight goes safely is their number one priority, they also functions as servers. It is now normal for airlines to employ both women and men, and multilingual flight attendants are in high demand—particularly in Canada, it is quite an asset to speak French. The more wide your range, the more interesting places you will get to go to and higher class flights you will be on!

    Au Pair

    The most glamorous kind of babysitter, au pairs are domestic assistants who travel to other countries to live with a host family. They are responsible for childcare, housework and receive allowances for personal use. This is a great way to travel and see other countries in a financially sound way…rent and living-expenses free.

    Travel Tour Guide

    Often where you get travel tour guide work will depend on your language abilities, although English is a very important one and sometimes all you need depending on the kinds of tourists you deal with. These workers provide information on cultural, historical and contemporary knowledge to tourists while also assisting them. This may involve large groups or private small groups. Typically these jobs will take place at museums or other educational establishments, religious sites or sites of historical importance.

    International Aid Worker (Red Cross)

    Often a very physically and emotionally demanding job, being an international aid worker requires first aid experience. Being emergency response means that you will be on-call and away from home for long periods of time. You must work well as part of a team, work for continuous long periods of time, and thrive in multi-cultural environments. While this is very difficult work, many people believe it to be extremely rewarding. You must be able to integrate well with others’ heritages and beliefs and always respect the country you are in.

  • Applying to an International Scholarship Opportunity; Am I ready to move?

    Applying to an International Scholarship Opportunity; Am I ready to move?

    If you are about to apply for an international scholarship, you may want to really think about it before you hit the send button. International scholarships are not for everyone, and especially not for those who get homesick after being away for two days. In order to really commit to your application and to your education, you must imagine what your life might be like over-seas before you make the leap. Of course, nothing really turns out to be what you imagined, but it helps to cultivate questions you may not have had beforehand.

    Questions to ask yourself before you start applying to International Scholarships:

    Do I like to fly/travel?

    Some people love to travel. They get on a plane and fly wherever they can. You might not like flying or spending long hours in airports. If you go over-seas for school, you will most definitely be spending time on a plane. You will also be on your own trying to navigate your way through a country you have never been in before. Maybe they don’t speak English and you will have to find other ways of communicating. It is up to you on whether you will be able to meet these challenges head on, or avoid them altogether. If these things make you very uncomfortable-being in a strange land where you don’t know anyone- you might want to re-think your choices of where you will go to school.

    Do I mind being away from family and friends for long periods of time?

    Going over-seas for a scholarship opportunity can be an adventure. However, if you get homesick often when you are away from your family and friends, it might be difficult for you to adapt. Some students are away for six months before they are able to visit their families again. If there are cheaper ways for you to go back home, that would be the ideal. However, you often have to pay your own way to go back home and visit which can end up costing you thousands of dollars. If you are OK with not seeing your loved ones for a year, you will be OK with taking up an over-seas scholarship. There are ways for you to still communicate with your family and friends if you are far away; phone calls, texts, emails, Skype, Facetime, etc.

    Is the school/ international scholarship I am applying for up to my standards?

    There are tons of different international scholarship opportunities for Canadian students. The question is; which one is for you? You have to weigh all your options. Try literally LAYING THEM OUT on the floor in front of you, including pro and con lists for each school. Really step back and look at them. Conquer and divide. Don’t waste time on applications that don’t have everything you want. You may have to compromise a bit, but don’t have more cons than pros on your chosen lists. Moving away from the life you know and entering into a new one is a big decision and you don’t want to waste precious time.

     

  • What to Do With a Gap Year

    What to Do With a Gap Year

    A gap year is an idea that many may brush off, may overlook, or may not take seriously. Gap years are often thought of as a ‘fallback’ or an alternative if your initial plans fall through. But it can be so much more than that.

    Taking a year off can let you revitalize and focus you. It allows an opportunity for you to grow outside of the school environment and provide a fresh outlook on what you want to do, what is important to you and how you want to continue your studies.

    You won’t be bored, I promise you. There are countless options for how to spend your year. Some may be more practical than others, but they all will (hopefully) help influence your upcoming decisions concerning what it is you want to do.

    Taking more classes is a common option. Working for those extra credits can give you the opportunity to explore those courses you never had the time for before. Maybe you’ve always had a passion for literature? You could try some offbeat English courses. Film? How about a “History of Western Filmmaking”? Taking additional courses allows the opportunity to boost your average and explore some alternative new fields.

    Then again, education is expensive. Working could be a good idea. You could work full-time or part-time either working as a barista or something totally unique. Your choice. Regardless, experiencing the workforce can be a positive and eye-opening experience and a little extra cash never hurt anyone.

    Maybe you want to see the world before heading back to the library? Traveling is an unforgettable experience. It is one that can broaden your mind, allow you to grow as an individual all while putting a good dent in the money you saved up working for the better part of your year off.

    Each can of course be inclusive of the others and each offers the opportunity to learn new skills, learn about yourself, network and hopefully help you decide which path you want to take or any changes you may want (or not want) to make to the one you’re already on.

    Your education is not a race. It’s your life. The decisions you make and route you choose will make a huge impact on your future so be sure to take your time and make the right decisions. Some people dismiss the idea of a gap year as a ‘wasted‘ or ‘lost‘ year but if you do it right and make the most of it taking a year off can be an extremely rewarding and eye-opening experience. You won’t regret it!

  • Career Profile: Travel Agent

    Career Profile: Travel Agent

    Imagine being able to travel around the most interesting tourist spots in the world and getting paid for doing it. Finding a job like that might be difficult, but becoming a travel agent can be the next best thing. Although travel agents work mainly to plan other people’s trips, their work can often include many other benefits such as the chance to see and explore travel destinations. It can be a busy and sometimes frustrating job, but for anyone who is organized and likes to work with people, it can be a fun and fulfilling career.

    Have you ever helped make arrangements for a trip that you went on with your family or friends? If so, you probably used the Internet to search for information on the places you wanted to see. You might have reserved your flights and hotels online and maybe even booked tickets for trains or other local transportation. In the past, only travel agents had access to the kind of information that people can now find for themselves. Many travelers now prefer to take care of many of their own arrangements. However, well-qualified travel agents can still have an important role in making sure that people have the best possible experiences on their trips.

    The most important requirement for travel agents is knowledge of various destinations and the needs of travelers. Travel agents can help them learn about what kinds of sights and activities are available. They have experience in working with tour guides and hotel managers. This gives them an advantage in dealing with different situations that the tourists might encounter. They can advise travelers on what to take, what they need to do to avoid getting sick, and anything else that they might need to know.

    Becoming a travel agent normally requires no specific training or education beyond a high school diploma. However, some people find that getting a certificate in travel and hospitality or even a degree from a university is helpful for their work. Most of all, travel agents need the ability to use computers to find information and to work well with people. Travel agents should be friendly and efficient, able to find information easily. Good organizational skills are essential, and some knowledge of a second or third language is helpful. Salaries are generally between about $23,000 and $47,000, depending on experience.

    Some travel agents work alone, but others work in travel offices. Many travel agents never need to leave their home cities to do the job, but personal experience with travel is helpful. Some travel agents might even be asked to stay at some of the overseas hotels so that they can really know the good and bad points of the places where they send people. If you like working with people and would like to see the world, the job of travel agent could be a good choice for you.

  • Rotary Clubs Sponsor Exchange Students

    Rotary Clubs Sponsor Exchange Students

    Very few clubs can claim to span the entire planet Earth, with members from Iceland to Antarctica. Few non-governmental organizations can hold a seat in the United Nations, too. So which club does? Which club is commonly recognized as having the impact and value of an entire nation while spanning nearly all?

    Rotary International (RI) is the world’s first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary members are “volunteers and humanitarians who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, and promote peace,” according to RI President John Kenny. Some of their main focuses include eradicating the Polio virus, promoting literacy, and engaging youth through exchange programs and educational opportunities. Sounds awesome! Want to join?

    As students, we’re actually too young to be Rotarians. However, for us, Rotary offers something even better.

    RI funds Rotaract clubs. Rotaract has the same values and goals as Rotary but is meant for students and young professionals between the ages of 18 and 30. It also partners with Interact clubs, Rotary for high school students, and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) programs. Rotaract, Interact and RYLA are all fantastic ways to get involved in your community and your world. If you haven’t looked into these clubs yet, now is the time.

    Until this year, RI had four official avenues of service: club, vocational, community, and international. This year, for the first time in a century, Rotary announced a fifth avenue of service: “New Generations”. Rotarians are sponsoring youth on more frequent, new exchange trips, and focusing their community efforts toward our futures and well-being. They’re all about us now, so let’s take full advantage and give back as much as we can.

    Last summer, Rotary hosted their 101st Annual International Convention Meeting in Montreal, Quebec, and I am one of over 20,000 members who attended. They had meetings, workshops, guest speakers, social events, and special performances for all the Rotarians and Rotaractors. We were given speeches on global awareness by Queen Noor of Jordan, current Nobel Peace Prize nominee Greg Mortenson, country music star Dolly Parton, and more. We were also part of a mass volunteer effort that cleaned up some of Montreal’s most beautiful agricultural areas and donated both time and pocket-change to support many charitable initiatives.

    The convention provided great opportunities both professionally and personally. Professionally, Rotary is a great way to build networks of contacts and build leadership skills that can help you reach your school and work-related goals. On a personal level, you can enjoy friendships with hundreds of people from around the world.

    Kelly Mills, a neuroscience major from Alberta’s Lethbridge University, said that Rotary was a great way to bring people together. “It’s a connection,” she explained, “you can go up to anyone and everyone. Just smile and you’re friends.”

    If you want to get involved by finding a Rotaract or Interact club in your community, visit Rotaract.

    Contact your local Rotary club if you are interested in starting your own, and helping your city or high school add to the worldwide service network that is Rotary International.

  • Teaching English as a Career

    Teaching English as a Career

    The English language has a lot of short, easy words. Just think of words like “run” — a short, three-letter word that is easy to spell and easy to learn. But are they really that easy? Think of how many meanings words like “run” have. You can run a race or get a home run in baseball. A newspaper has a run, and you can run out of time. How can non-English speakers ever learn such a complicated language? That’s where English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers can help.

    Teaching the English language can be a good career option, especially for anyone who enjoys travel. Over 400 million people around the world use English as their first language, which is the main language that they are most comfortable using. However, over 700 million people use English as a second or third language, and the number is growing all the time.

    English is spoken all over the world and is the standard language used in many businesses, in technical and scientific studies, and for transportation on airplanes and ships. You might even hear a German-speaking airline pilot talking to a German-speaking airport employee, not in German, but in English. Most communication by computers and even traditional mail is in English, and use of the English language is still growing.

    As the need for English skills is increasing, the need for English teachers is growing as well. This kind of teaching goes by several different names which often reflect the needs of the students. Teaching English as a Second Language is often about teaching immigrants how to speak with their neighbours and co-workers. Practical vocabulary and grammar are important parts of each lesson.

    In other countries, English as a Foreign Language or English as an Additional Language (EAL) are often the terms people use. Without the chance to use English every day at home or at work, the students often have to work harder at getting a chance to practice their skills. The kind of help the students need is normally the focus of the classes. Lessons could focus on conversational skills or grammar or both.

    What does it take to work in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language)? In North America and many other parts of the world, a Bachelor of Education with an emphasis on teaching language to non-English speakers is probably the best option. In some cases, a TESOL certificate or local training might be enough, especially if the school where you want to work has its own training program.

    Teaching English can be a good option if you love variety and adventure. You can teach in Japan, China, Mexico, or right in your own city. You can work with young children, university students, or retired people. You can teach in a classroom or tutor people at home. Wherever you go, teaching the English language can be a rewarding career for anyone.

  • What to Take Backpacking

    What to Take Backpacking

    So you’ve decided to take a trip backpacking. This is quite the adventure and you are going to have to be well prepared for such a time away from home and in the wilderness. You are going to want to make sure that you have covered all of your bases so that you will have the most easy and worry-free trip. The important thing to remember is to plan well and then follow the plan.

    Creating a good list is your first step. Think about where it is that you are going and what it is that you are going to need while backpacking. Are you going hiking? Are you staying overnight? Are you going with friends and sharing the burden of the food preparation? Knowing the general sweeps of your itinerary is a really good start, and then following this general formula will ensure success.

    1. Outdoor gear: Will you be sleeping in a tent and will you be needing warmer clothing for cooler weather? These considerations will be very important in order to ensure that you will have everything you need.

    2. Indoor gear: Will you be spending time indoors? You may need to pack lighter clothing for times that will be spent indoors or in restaurants along the way.

    3. Swimming gear: Will there be lakes or rivers along your route? If so, you will need to make sure that you are bringing a bathing suit and towel.

    4. Technical gear: Are you responsible for bringing a tent or for bringing a sleeping bag and mattress? If you are, you will have to be sure to pack that (if you are backpacking, be sure that it is compact).

    5. Food: Are you bringing food with you or eating along the way? Will you need to bring a stove to cook your food or will you need to bring materials to start and keep a fire going? These are all things to consider.

    Whatever your trip is, be sure to know exactly where it is that you are going, what kind of weather is expected, what your friends are bringing, what kind of terrain is expected and where you will be staying. Knowing these things in advance will help you to pack well and be efficient with your use of space.

    A last consideration is to remember that sharing space with your friends is essential. You need to communicate with them so that you don’t end up all bringing the same thing. If you need to bring a stove, one person should bring it – not everyone. If you need to bring pillows, you may need to decide that you will bring only one or two pillows and share them, alternating people who get the pillow each night to save space in your backpack. If you are bringing food, make sure that you have discussed who is bringing what and that you have enough for each day and night. Planning and communication with your fellow backpackers will be your keys to success.

    Above all, enjoy your trip and stay safe!

  • Taking A Year Off

    Taking A Year Off

    If You’re Not Ready, It’s OK

    Post-secondary education costs a lot of money and most students leave with a hefty debt to pay off as they start their professional careers. This debt is harder to deal with if a student chooses to leave their program or is forced to drop out.

    While continuing your education is a great way to guarantee future career success and open the door to higher paying jobs, not everyone is prepared to go immediately following high school.

    Many students experience nervousness as they try to plan for their future and choose an educational institution and program suited to their wants and future goals, but some students have greater concern and need more time to discover themselves and decide what they want from life before they enrol. 



    There is no harm in taking time off to ensure you take the program best suited to your wants and needs. Perhaps after taking a year off to work and reflect, you’ll take the program you thought you’d take in high school – but it’s still better to take the time and ensure you’re prepared to invest the effort needed for success.

    Some students take a year off and work to earn money to pay for their education. Others travel and develop worldly experience, while others upgrade a course or two. There are plenty of options available. Going to school for thirteen to fourteen years straight does not always allow time to reflect on future goals and fully explore the options available. Taking some needed time off, even short-term, can help afford those thoughts.

    Remember that taking a year off does not mean leaving forever. There are always opportunities to return to school. If you’re looking for time off but a year seems like too long, look into January or May-start programs to return to school in less time.

  • Teaching English Abroad

    Teaching English Abroad

    Do you love adventure? Do you love teaching? Do you long to strike out on your own and see the world? And do you want to be paid while doing it? If so, teaching English abroad may be for you!

    What will I need?
    At the very least you will need a four year Bachelors Degree (BA). Your degree can be in anything from art history to zoology, but obviously a degree in English, education, or linguistics will provide you an edge.

    With just a BA you will have a handful of options available to you including, but not limited to, teaching in Japan, South Korea, China, and parts of Eastern Europe and South America. With additional courses and training, more options in more countries with better income, perks and stability become available. What is better is that many of these courses offer help finding positions, with some even guaranteeing to help you find one – or your money back!

    Aside from that you will need citizenship from an English-speaking country, a passport valid for at least one year, a clean bill of health, and no criminal background.

    Is teaching overseas for me?
    Teaching isn’t for everyone and teaching English in a foreign country is doubly so. Unless you have a Master of Arts in English Language Teaching, chances are you will not be prepared for what awaits you. However, you shouldn’t despair as no employer will be expecting an amazing performance from day one.

    The three most important qualities a teacher can possess are: strong communication skills, adaptability and patience. Communication skills may seem like a given, but you must keep in mind that your students, co-workers and boss will not speak English as their first language (and some not at all). This means that you can’t always depend on others simply understanding your words; sometimes it will be necessary to simplify your expressions or approach what you are trying to communicate from another direction. Sometimes it may require the use of body language or even drawing abilities!

    Adaptability is also crucial as you must adjust everything about what you expect. In most cases the people you will encounter overseas will not only speak a different language then yourself, they will also have a different culture, set of ethics, and expectations for you. You must be able to “go with the flow” and learn to understand and appreciate their differences, not judge them as being wrong or worse than what you might be used to.

    Finally, patience is important because, as mentioned above, you will be working with individuals who may speak little to no English. This means a lot of repeating yourself and a lot of asking them to repeat themselves, too. Remember that they are learningEnglish, meaning they will need to first translate what you say into their language, then translate what they need to say back into English. Take your time and never take out your frustration on your students; remember – they are there to learn and you are there to teach!

    Final Words
    It goes without saying that an aptitude for teaching is crucial! You can volunteer at any elementary school to see if teaching is for you and, if it is, the experience will look very good to prospective employers. Good luck and bon voyage!

  • The Benefits of Travel and Volunteerism

    The Benefits of Travel and Volunteerism

    Having volunteer experience is an essential part of every student’s life. Now that it a requirement for high school students to acquire 40 hours of volunteer time before they graduate, many new and varied opportunities are cropping up. It is a great time to travel as a student!

    Volunteering allows for an introspective look into your values and it gives perspective and fosters a better-rounded individual. Some of life’s richest experiences come from volunteering. When you free yourself to give your time to helping fulfill the needs of another it is rewarding on many levels. One way to volunteer is to go abroad and embark on a life-changing journey. This is something students should consider while they have the time and resources. Volunteering abroad is a meaningful experience that can provide great rewards.

    So, why go abroad when there are plenty of opportunities here at home?

    1. The opportunity to travel and visit a foreign country.
    There is something very different about reading about a country and actually visiting it in person. Travel is a great way to expand your mind and gain insight into the world and how you view it. It adds to your life experiences and creates memories you can draw upon for a lifetime.

    2.Unique projects.
    Perhaps you can help save the green turtle or be an ambassador for the environment. There are things you can do abroad that you simple cannot do at home. The animals are different, the government structure is different and the ecosystems are different. Every country comes with unique settings, strange habitats and diverse food.

    3. Take in a new culture.
    What better way to learn than to jump right in? Don’t just study different cultures in books and in movies, take the opportunity to live and breathe it. Engage all your senses and create a rich memory that helps support you through daily challenges.

    4. Make new friends.
    You will create memories that build a lifelong bond. Language is only a barrier for a short while before mutual respect and affection based on shared experiences take control.

    5. Learn a new language.
    No language curriculum can match being surrounded by language and culture. It is amazing how quickly one picks up a foreign language when it is all around them. The mind is fast to pick up words from action and gestures.

    There are many organizations to choose from when considering volunteering abroad. Take time to look into various opportunities. Some may be based on community or through schools, churches, and hospitals. Take a chance and do something different.

    Don’t forget that you don’t have to travel to volunteer. Your very own community needs you, too! The best part about volunteering is the feeling of accomplishment and knowing that you have made a difference, regardless of where you do it.