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It would be a dream come true if international airfare and traveling were free and we could roam the world as we pleased. The reality is that that doesn't happen to be the case, and traveling - especially long-term - can get expensive, even if you stick to a budget. One of the best ways to travel and remain on the road is to work while you do so. Working abroad can allow you to extend your dream trip even longer.
If you are interested in working while traveling, then a job as a tour guide could be a great option for you.
Being a tour guide is an great way to see the world. In fact, that's exactly what I did. I was a guide based in Italy and led trips all around Italy and Europe.
Before I graduated college, I knew I wanted to travel around Europe, but couldn't afford a long trip (or even just a few weeks).
While the "gap year" is common in many countries around the world, it isn't so much in the US.
The pressure for finding a job after college can really build up and get stressful, especially if you're unsure if diving into the corporate world is the right decision for you.
No matter if you're recently out of college, have been kickin' it in the workforce for a few years, or are looking for a way to sustain your long-term travels, being a tour guide can give you valuable work experience in addition to providing a way to travel.
Just off the bus to see the Krka waterfalls in Croatia
Still make sure you save up money, though, because it's always better to have some breathing room with your budget, especially when you're constantly traveling.
Depending on which company you work for, you still may need to pay for some things: Airfare. Food. Rent/utilities. Dining out/bars. Museum entry fees or any other sightseeing outside of your work.
Remember that you'll be working and making money to help with these costs, but always keep your budget in mind.
Positano, Italy
You'll constantly be around your co-workers and fellow tour guides but also the passengers on your tours.
You'll need great customer service skills as your priority will always be the customer.
(Don't worry, you'll still get to have fun!)
Some of our team working a trip at Italy's Amalfi Coast
After all, your job is to speak about the places you're at.
Being excited to lead the tour is important as well - the people on your tour will be able to see through fake enthusiasm.
Being quick on your feet, flexible, and able to make snap decisions are good skills to have too, and being a tour guide will only improve these skills.
Our group of students on a weekend trip to Budapest, Hungary
People are paying the tour company to get a good experience and accurate information.
If you don't at least know the basics of the country - like currency, local language, or how to pronounce the city you're staying in - it will discredit you as a guide, as well as the company you work for.
Doing your homework before a trip is so important!
Topkapi Palace view in Istanbul, Turkey
For example, if you're leading a tour in Italy and you're hosting a three-course dinner with unlimited wine, don't get totally hammered and be unable to take care of your guests.
Obviously have fun and enjoy yourself, but know where to draw the line between professional and sloppy.
Galata Tower view in Istanbul, Turkey
Things will inevitably go wrong here and there, and sometimes the situation will be out of your control.
Do your best to fix what you can and move on (and laugh it off)!
Travel perks
Being based in a different country
Opportunities to learn the local language and meet people
Traveling for your job
Discovering new places
Getting to become friends with your co-workers, and working/traveling/partying/hanging out with them
Adding lines to your resume with valuable work experience
Long days (there usually is no "day off," and it's not an hourly gig either)
Can get exhausting from always being "on" 24/7
Salary typically isn't much, so you'll probably need to learn how to budget really well or have some extra savings before you start your job
Prague, Czech Republic
I hope this gives you more of an idea of if a tour guiding job is right for you.
I had an amazing time being an international tour guide in Europe after college and have no regrets.
Add your thoughts/advice in the comments below, and of course contact me if you have any questions!
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Traveling internationally is such an eye-opening, growing experience that I believe everyone should do it at least once in their lifetimes, and in their 20s if possible. If you're considering traveling in your 20s but still haven't booked your flight, here are nine reasons that will hopefully give you that final push.
1. You have time
You're young. You want to go. Go now. Maybe you're still in college. Maybe you have a job. But there will be breaks or time off eventually - use those breaks and plan your travel accordingly.
2. If there's a will, there's a way
The top two excuses for not traveling are 1) time and 2) money. They say you have either have the time to travel but no money to do so, or have the money to travel but no time. Trust me when I say that if there's a will, there's a way. If you want it bad enough, you will make it happen. Yes, you may have to make sacrifices, or set up a tighter budget, but if you truly prioritize travel, you will make it happen. Period.
3. You have a number of options if you're still in college
Studying abroad is one of the most unique ways to travel. You get to live in a foreign country, take classes, have a routine, travel on the weekends, and have a home base to come back to. You'll meet new people, make new friends, and have a much different experience than if you went there on vacation with family or with a group of friends.
If you don't study abroad, take advantage of all the time you have off: spring break, summer break, and winter break are all great times to travel abroad. And those three-day weekends? Well that's enough time to explore your city, do a quick road trip, or spend a weekend somewhere new.
4. You have even more options after college
After college graduation is the only time you're not tied down. This is the perfect time to travel and/or work abroad prior to settling down to an apartment, bills, job, etc.
Krka waterfalls swimming
5. Because you can change the world
Well you can change the world at any age, but what better time than now? Look into Peace Corps, Jesuit Volunteer Corp, or other ways to give back abroad. Who knows, maybe it'll change you for the better, and I haven't met anyone who has regretted something that changed them for the better.
6. Because your job will still be there when you get back
If you have free vacation days, use them! That's what they're there for.
7. Traveling will give you life experience that will make you wiser beyond your years
By exposing yourself to new cultures, you learn a lot about the world and how the world works. You become more open-minded and tolerant of other people. These are all qualities that we hopefully all possess as we get older with time, but by traveling to foreign places, you'll realize these qualities sooner.
8. You'll learn a lot about yourself
...And in your 20s, which are arguably our most identity-making years, it's a good thing to know who you are and who you want to become.
9. Because you want to
That travel bug will keep bugging you until you take action and just go.
Lemon Groves in Positano
I believe everyone should travel to a foreign country at least once in their life, no matter their age. But I don't think you need to (or should) wait until you retire to do so. Society often tries to push the idea that you must "earn your right" to do anything fun by working all day, every day, for years before you deserve to do anything for yourself. When you're in your twenties, you generally have less responsibility and more time for yourself. It's okay to be a little selfish and book that trip you've been dreaming of, even if it's just during your weekend off work. There are ways to travel and still hold a full-time job, but once you get older and have more responsibilities (a spouse, kids, etc.) your priorities will shift. That's okay, however, your priority until you have those responsibilities should be you.
Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
Your twenties are a very interesting decade, often filled with college graduation, truly being out on your own in the "real world," and figuring out who you are.
If there are things you want to do, then do then. Turn your dreams to reality (especially travel dreams!). If there's a will, there's a way. Sometimes you have to think outside the box and get creative. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices. Ask yourself if it's worth it - and in most cases, it will be.
When I was about to graduate, my main goal was to travel after college. My travel bug was acting up like crazy and I tried thinking of ways to go to Europe for a couple weeks with a friend. However, my budget didn't allow me to travel for even a short trip. And, my friend ended up having other commitments and could no longer go. So I got creative - I looked into travel jobs where I could live in Europe and also get paid.
vespas in italy - go seek explore
With hard work, a lot of determination, countless emails, and an interview later, I got a travel job and was able to turn my dream of going back to Europe for a couple of weeks into living in Europe for five months. I had the opportunity to see so much more than I originally planned, got to live in Italy when I wasn't traveling for work, and met a ton of people that I wouldn't have met otherwise.
Instead of being a dreamer, be a do-er. And once you accomplished what you've wanted to do, dream up new dreams and do them too. By pushing yourself out of your comfort zone you will learn and grow so much. By continuing to do this throughout your twenties, you'll gain more life experience than you ever would have had you not at least tried to make those dreams happen.
Krka Waterfalls
Now that I've returned from my job overseas, I'm about to leave in a few days for another quick trip to Europe. I'll be working short-term for a couple weeks at a different company and I am beyond excited. I'll have a weekend of solo travel before I begin work (my first solo trip ever, and man am I nervous). I wouldn't have had this opportunity had I just sat there waiting for my dreams to happen. I had to make it happen! And it all started with a simple job application...
Whatever it is - taking that trip you've always wanted to go on, moving to a new city, or switching career paths to get your dream job - take action! And take action now. You only get ten years to be in your twenties. Don't waste a single second.
