Day in and day out you head to your desk job to plug away at the computer. You watch the clock or day dream of better places and your passions that just aren't being met. What is your passion? What is your life's work? Maybe you're already doing it. Maybe you fulfill your passions each day. But what if your dreams involve dropping it all and moving abroad? Well, the idea may not be as far fetched after all especially if you could satisfy your dreams for free or without diving into any unnecessary depth.
Today there are more and more stable, worthwhile, and life changing avenues for moving or traveling aboard. No matter your dreams, you can realize the essential importance of public service on nearly every continent around the globe.
1. Join the Peace Corps
Photo: Stockbyte
It was in 1961 that President John F. Kennedy, Jr. said those ever important words, "[m]y fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you but what together we can do for the freedom of man." And nearly 50 years later, the Peace Corps that he established serves in 77 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Peace Corps volunteers serve overseas for 27 months at a time providing technical assistance in six program areas: education, youth and community development, health, business and information and communications technology, agriculture, and environment. You'll receive $7,425 (pre-tax after you complete your 27 months of service) in transitional funds, free travel to and from your destination, a monthly stipend to cover living expenses, and there's no fee to participate.
2. Join World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)
Photo: Seiya Kawamoto/Thinkstock
WWOOF is a global exchange program for those interested in traveling the world while learning about organic farming. It was started in the UK in 1971 and has now spread to nearly every continent. The Web site allows you to connect with individual farms across the globe in places that you would like to live and in areas of farming that you would like to learn about. It's important that you choose carefully because you'll most likely be living with your host family. You exchange work on the farm with free room and board and often meals. WWOOF is set up into different networks from all over the globe and theres a small fee to join each network (about $30), just to keep the Web site and such up and running.
3. Consider Ashram Living
Photo: Hemera
Living in an Ashram is a great way to turn inward, establish a better relationship with yourself, and then find peace, all the while living abroad for free or on the cheap. And just like Jessica said, Ashrams Aren't Just for Hippies Anymore. Head aboard on an ashram work study and enjoy free yoga classes, meditation training, room, board, meals, and an amazing experience in exchange for a work study that's usually around 3 months in length. Sivananda Ashram in the Bahamas offers a 1 to 3 month residential study for $899 per month. The Salt Spring Ashram in British Columbia offers karma yoga opportunities for $150 per month.
4. Teach English Abroad
Photo: Ciaran Griffin/Stockbyte
There are various programs that allow you to teach English abroad like Language Corps. After completing a certification course which allows you to teach English in your chosen country for between $1,700 and 3,000, you'll be placed in a job teaching in Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam); Europe (Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Russia, and Turkey); and Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru). There's also programs in China and Taiwan. Teachers are usually paid decently well for their work as well, depending on the program.
5. Volunteer Abroad with Go Eco
Photo: Jupiterimages
You can live abroad for up to 2 months through GoEco volunteering projects. Get up close and personal with African wildlife by volunteering in a South African Lion Park or working on a wildlife sanctuary in Namibia. Do community or medical outreach in Kenya or reef conservation in Israel. Programs start at around $350 per week but are a great deal for the money.
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