Most travel is extractive and passive. You show up somewhere, take photos of the same landmarks everyone else is taking photos of, eat at a restaurant recommended by the guide, and go to a few bars. You take a few tours to learn more about the place and, if you’re lucky, you’ll meet some locals on your trip. You’re not really going in depth.
Even long-term travelers who say they “aren’t tourists” are doing the same – but at a slower pace and trying to spend less money.
And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just the nature of travel. As we all imagine walking into a place, making friends with the locals and experiencing those crazy moments like in some movies. But that doesn’t happen. Because we’re just passing through and, for the most part, locals don’t want to make friends with tourists. In fact, most locals don’t interact with tourists. (I mean, it happens but it’s not the norm.)
If you really want a profound travel experience, you need to stay. If you want to understand a place, you have to stay there. The most transformative travel experiences I’ve ever had have been about contributing to something and staying somewhere long enough to form real relationships. It was about being integrated into a place rather than just passing through.
I think more travelers should give back when they travel. In the past, it was difficult to know which organizations and opportunities were legitimate, approved, and actually improving people’s lives.
There are now many companies that can help you not only find interesting volunteer jobs when you travel, but also paid jobs when you travel. One of the best is Global work and travel. Use code NOMADICMATT to unlock a discount on your next trip.
What global work and travel does
Global Work & Travel is the world’s largest gap year company and has been providing working holidays, volunteer programs, teaching positions, internships and more for almost 20 years. They have helped over 116,000 people and cover destinations across the UK and Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Pacific.
Even for experienced travelers, moving abroad can be difficult. Finding a job as a traveler, getting permanent housing or being stuck in a shared room for months, transportation costs in a new city, interview after interview competing with locals… This is just the beginning of what long-term travelers need to consider.
Fortunately, companies like Global Work & Travel provide the scaffolding or safety net that makes working abroad possible for people who don’t want to figure it all out themselves. They manage job matching, pre-departure assistance, visa counseling, job placement, and ongoing support through their gWorld portal, a personal travel management app that keeps everything organized in one place. For beginners especially, having this support structure can be the difference between actually going for it and deliberating endlessly. The programs they offer cover a wide range:
Working holidays – Get paid job offers in countries like Australia, Canada, UK, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan before you even leave home. Global Work & Travel also helps you set up necessary bank accounts, tax numbers, accommodation assistance, visa assistance and much more. Duration: 4+ months. From 18 to 35 years old depending on nationality. Volunteer abroad – Work with exotic wildlife, immerse yourself in incredible cultures, teaching, community work, construction and much more in many countries. Open to 18-85 year olds, from one week only. Teaching abroad – Obtain an internationally recognized TEFL certification and a paid employment match. Accommodation, cultural activities, visa application assistance, banking and tax assistance are included to ensure everything goes smoothly. Teach English in Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Mexico and more. 18-80 years old. Au pair – Become a local by living with a host family in Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand or North America. Accommodation and most living expenses are usually covered. Summer camp – Have you ever seen the movie Parent Trap? Well, that’s about it. Work as a guide, camp counselor or other at camps in the United States, France, Canada or the United Kingdom for 3-6 months. Accommodation and meals included. Internships – Concrete internships in international companies. Give your career a head start with specialized international work experience. Why I think working vacationers are the new “digital nomads” For the past decade, “digital nomad” has been the aspirational version of long-term travel. Work remotely, earn in a strong currency, live somewhere cheaper, repeat.
But this model only really works for a small subset of people. You need a remote job, a certain level of income, and often a level of career stability that most young travelers simply don’t have yet.
Working holidays turn the situation around.
Instead of bringing a job with you, you get one when you arrive. You integrate into the local economy instead of floating above it. You meet people through work, not just in coworking spaces or hostels. And you’re building a life somewhere, not just a temporary routine.
In many ways, working vacationers have a more grounded and accessible version of what people think about life as a digital nomad. You are not just passing through, you are actually living there. You have colleagues, a schedule, a reason to stay longer than a week, and a chance to make real, lifelong connections.
It’s also much more realistic for most people. You don’t need a remote company or years of experience. You just need the will to go and the right setup to get there.
That’s why I think we’re seeing a change. Less “How can I work remotely?” ” and more “How can I actually live and work abroad for a year?” »
And that’s exactly where structured programs like Global Work & Travel come in. They remove the biggest barriers, finding a job, getting visas, settling down, so people can actually move from idea to reality.
For many travelers, it’s not just an alternative to life as a digital nomad. It’s a more sustainable, accessible and realistic way to live and work abroad.
Why I think volunteering is important Volunteering abroad has a complicated reputation, and it’s worth being honest about it. There are many bad volunteer programs in the world. Programs that don’t really give back and are designed to make travelers “feel” like they’ve done something, but are really just profit-driven campaigns. Global Work & Travel’s veterinary programs in areas such as wildlife conservation, community development, education and healthcare in the locations and countries where it operates so you know the program you are signing up for is legitimate.
The case for ethical and well-structured volunteering is truly strong. When you work alongside local communities of Zanzibar on problems that they have defined as priorities, or with wildlife and conservation in South Africa or Elephant rehabilitation in Thailand, something changes in the way you understand the world. Not only are you helping to give back to a place, but you are also understanding the true needs of the people and ecosystems that live there, but you are also helping to overcome the struggles they are going through. It opens your mind and changes your perspective.
Their Global Animal Welfare Fund also channels resources directly into conservation projects at their partner sites, so the impact extends beyond individual placements.
What I like about working holidays Working holidays allow you to truly experience a country instead of just visiting it. You immerse yourself in the culture by living like a local every day. You meet more people, locals and fellow travelers, while forming genuine friendships. Best of all, you get paid to travel, so you can stay much longer instead of rushing in a few weeks. This allows you to experience local life in depth, discover hidden places and understand how people really live in different places. You also develop valuable skills, enhance your CV with international experience, and make long-term travel more affordable since your income covers the costs. Plus, you gain a true cultural understanding that no short vacation can match. All this while still being paid? Not bad, right?!
Working holidays turn travel into a lifestyle, not just an extra 2 weeks of vacation.
What I like about how Global Work & Travel works Global Work & Travel is the global leader in extended travel and offers a multitude of options for travelers looking to volunteer, work or spend extended time in a destination. Some things I like about them.
Their lifetime deposit The policy is really unusual: if your plans change, your deposit doesn’t disappear. It remains on your account indefinitely and can be transferred to another program or destination. THE gWorld the portal is really useful. This pre-departure tool that helps you with your visa application, access exclusive offers, connect with others enrolled in your program, and even start language learning before you arrive. They have transparent 24/5 human support worldwide. When something goes wrong abroad, being able to reach a human being at local time is worth more than any pre-travel planning. With more than 619,000 subscribers on Instagramit’s easy to connect and make friends with people before you leave. A structured start to your trip is the best way to save money, time and stress. The global network and support are here to help and guide you from start to finish. Use code NOMADICMATT to get a discount on your trip. Frequently asked questions Do I need prior experience to work abroad with Global Work & Travel? For most trips, nothing more than basic work experience is required. Teaching programs include TEFL training and volunteering can be started without any experience.
What is the minimum age? Most programs are open to ages 18 and up. Working holiday visas are generally limited to age 35 depending on the destination country, but volunteer and education programs are open to ages 18-80.
How long does the whole process take? This varies depending on the programs and the destination. Most people book their trips 6-12 months in advance for proper planning, matching jobs and visa quotas. You can get started for just $1 here.
Is my money safe if things change? Global Work & Travel and its lifetime deposit policy mean your initial payment does not expire. They are also members of many consumer protection services to further support travelers.
Can I go as a solo traveler? Yes, and this is actually one of the most common scenarios. Connections with the gWorld community and program groups mean you’ll quickly meet others in the same position.
*** Travel has always been better when it goes beyond sightseeing. The moments that stay with you – that you tell people about five years later – are never the ones where you stood in line to see a famous landmark. They are what allow you to communicate with people. These are the times when you did something.
International work and travel do do something deep accessible in a way that really wasn’t available ten years ago. If you’re thinking about doing something like this but the logistics seem too complicated, check them out and use the code NOMADICMATT to unlock $100 off your trip.
How to Travel the World on $75 a Day
