3 Months In Asia

Thorn Tree forumInterest forumsTravel on a shoestring
Enter custom title (optional)
This topic is locked
Last reply was
1.3k
…
Send as an e-mail
Send as an e-mail
kirkman
kirkman

Hi,

I am a university student located in Melbourne, Australia who has some time off from study from November until February. I thought I would use this time to travel to a single destination within Asia.

Being a student I do not have enough money saved up to support me from November to February. My initial idea was to find a job that would enable me to pay for rent and food etc, therefore prolonging my stay.

I have not done extensive research into this idea, but I am hoping that by posting this, I might gain some insight into the possibilities that exist. ‘If they do exist’, as I’ve read plenty of replies to similar posts stating that a foreigner can not simply walk into an Asian country seeking a part time job that a local could perform; particularly in relation to Thailand. I think doing a TEFL course to teach English would be my best option, however I could be very wrong.

So my question is:
Can a Westerner travel to Asia for approximately 3 months and find employment to support themselves while they are there?

(I may be too broad with my question… but to put a ‘limit’ on Asia, places I have considered have included Shanghai, Taipei, Hong Kong, Seoul, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand)

Thanks in advance for replies, and sorry if I seem ignorant.

View last reply
Report
1
travelinstyle46
travelinstyle46

The question is really what is probable vs. possible. Can someone find a job, possibly but how probable it is can be a whole different thing. The reality is that no one can tell you how probable it is that YOU will find something. What common sense will tell you however is that while 1 will, no doubt more than 1 will not.

So the only thing you can really do is go and try. Just make sure you have enough money to get home if you don't find anything.

You also have until November to get enough money to not need to work. The reality is that just about any part-time job you could get at home will probably pay more than any job you find while 'on the road'. Flipping burgers at MickeyD's for 20 hours a week for the next 5 months might not excite you but it would probably let you save enough to fund 3 months in SEA.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
2
kirkman
kirkman

Thanks for the positive reply.
Funny you should say that, I've just applied to Maccas. I'm hoping for any job at the moment to save up as much as I can so if I can't find a work, I'll be able to stretch my time there on savings.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
3
lucapal
lucapal

Can it be done?....yes.

Is it probable?.....no.

Will you earn enough money in a casual job in SE Asia to be able to travel around?....almost certainly no....and even if you do,you will be working so you won't have time ;-)

Follow the advice in #1...work now,save money-then go and enjoy your trip....

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
4
kirkman
kirkman

I'm not looking for a job to able me to save and travel.

I would be looking for something to allow me to support myself buying only food and accommodation, and minimal expenses.
I wouldn't be jumping around from place to place.

I would be in the one location.

Someone suggested doing something such as HelpX. Where I help a host family using labour or whatever they need assistance with, and in return they offer free food and accommodation.
Not sure if anyone has any knowledge of this approach or personal experience?

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
5
midlifetravel
midlifetravel

You do realise that any work you do will be illegal- most countries have fairly strict rules about foreigners turning up and just hoping for a job without a permit - in Australia you call them "asylum seekers"

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
6
pangolino
pangolino

Remember that TEFL courses can be extremely expensive. I'm not sure about Thailand but the general rule is that you need a TEFL or similar certificate to teach English as a paid job.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
7
taranaki_chick
taranaki_chick

helpexchange.net

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report

This topic has been locked by a moderator.

Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner