Customer Reviews

Work Your Way Around the World, 12th

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is helpful to those who want to travel more but need to find a way to get by without hemorrhaging money. And even if you don't want to do this, it's interesting to read about those who do.

Reading about travelers saving up money by working long days picking fruit, getting discounted rates on cruise liners by helping the crew, or generally taking jobs that nobody else wants, I realized that personally, I was probably happier saving up money at a desk job and paying full fare. However, there's a lot to be said for working abroad providing a cultural immersion experience that just can't be achieved through mere tourism. Aside from paying work, there are some helpful listings for international volunteering organizations. And, if you're interested in teaching English, you've got it made just about anywhere in the world.

This book is so up to date, and so packed with interesting and useful information, and most remarkably, so responsive to feedback from past readers (who are mentioned by name throughout) that anyone can find something useful here.

My only criticism is that the title of the book is misleading. This book is heavily focused on Europe (200 pages) and focuses on opportunities available to those with EU citizenship. It doesn't really do justice to most of the *world*. There are more pages on Australia (44 pages), for example, than all of Latin America and Africa COMBINED.

Ten years ago when I first went to Europe with the intention of finding work, short-term or long-term, my brother's girlfriend gave me this book as a gift because she found it useful. Let me say right off that I had no clue about traveling abroad or what was possible, even in a pre-9/11 world. But it seemed to me that the book concentrated heavily on Brits and Europeans and gave mostly common sense advice I could glean from my head (or a friend, if I was clueless) and come up with the same or better info if I searched the Internet. The updated version hasn't changed that much.

I'd also like to add that my brother's girlfriend (now ex) never found work abroad in her 5 years, lived off her father's money and told me I would never make it either. I told her I wasn't her, left the book behind and never saw it again. I first found a series of short-term jobs that I can only describe as experiences I can laugh about now. Then I built a life from literally nothing that has led to living and working in Europe for 10 years (and counting)...and it didn't happen because of this book.

It is true that Americans have a more difficult time finding work in Europe simply because of EU citizenship requirements, but you may not care if short-term illegal work is your goal. Showing up at the right time (and there ARE right times) and looking a certain way will more likely get you a summer job than sending a CV/resume, making calls or wasting time on placing ads. I don't know anyone who has hired anyone on paper or over the phone, even if you're already here in the country.

As with everything, there are exceptions. My best friend was placed in Poland, well-paid and provided housing for 2 years teaching English without any experience, certification or previous interview. Last year, he took a stint in Turkey during his vacation under the same circumstances. There are also plenty of opportunities, different and sometimes better, in very beautiful places outside of Europe. My friend Brad landed in South America with no intentions of staying and worked there happily for 3 years and wishes he could go back.

Buying and reading this book, however helpful it is in small ways, is not enough. Sometimes, an adventurous attitude, thirst for experience and willingness isn't enough...sometimes it's just lady luck smiling on you. In some countries, it's strictly about connections. It puzzles me as to how this book continues to be updated and sold over the years.

I'm sorry I can't be more positive because I know it's tough to write a book and there are people out there searching for some assistance. But I think it's equally important to be honest. Hopefully, this book is helping someone.

This book has lots of good ideas for working while traveling and traveling cheap, but I wish I knew to get the new edition. The book itself says to use an edition no more than 2 years old, and this one is 5 years old so the websites and phone numbers are not guaranteed to be up to date--not to mention the book talks about saving computer files on floppy disks..... regardless, I am getting good ideas from it.

For a young person who wants to experience life in other cultures for a few months or a year, possibly before starting college or as a break from college this book is filled with exciting ideas. Actual reports from other young people who have suggestions to add to the text make it great food for thought.
Since it is written by a British citizen the terminology may occasionally seem obscure.
It is lively, witty, easy to understand.

This is a great book to help you finance your working vacation abroad by doing low skilled work. The next book college grads should consider purchasing if they are interested in "professional" international work and internship experiences is The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas. Check it out.