Whether you’re in your late teens and you’ve just left school or in your early 20s developing an action plan for your life for the next few years, it’s natural that you want to get moving quickly.
You’ll get lots of advice – much of it unsolicited – but many people will tell you that it’s essential to choose the ‘one big thing’ you want to do next and stick to it, whether that’s going to university, travelling or entering the job market.
However, if you plan ahead properly, there’s actually a way you can satisfy several of your deepest desires simultaneously and not have to defer your dreams to a later date.
Sounds good?
Here are a few ideas to help you travel, work and study – maximising every minute of what life has to offer!
Plan ahead
Whether you’re planning a short-term stay or the trip of a lifetime, you should always check the latest government travel guidance first – that way you’ll find vital information on any visas or health checks required before booking tickets.
And if you plan to work in a physical location at your destination, you’ll have to suss out the employment opportunities on a site like gooverseas.com.
Another vital requirement is good internet connectivity – you’ll need this to keep in touch with friends and family, but it also might be necessary for online work or studies. Sites like World Population Review have handy info on internet speeds in different nations.
Having access to ample savings is a must too – you don’t want to be stuck somewhere unfamiliar with no cash.
Secure work
Another top tip is to secure your job or placement before you leave home.
Get confirmation in writing that you’re starting a job on a certain date and confirm the rate of pay and any admin requirements to ensure that you get your money – be aware that in some nations, you’ll be required to open a local bank account to facilitate this.
If you’re planning to work online – as a self-employed designer, writer or blogger – try to secure as many retainer contracts as you can prior to leaving. This way, you’ll know that you can expect regular cash-flow for the duration of your trip.
Whatever your plans, grab a great drop-proof laptop before you set off – check out this list of rugged machines from TechRadar if you don’t know where to start.
Study
Don’t want to wait until you return from your long-term travel adventure to start uni?
With online degrees from the likes of ARU Distance Learning, you don’t have to.
You can study degrees in anything from psychology to digital marketing when it’s most convenient for you and access course materials and conversations wit lecturers and classmates via your laptop or mobile phone.
This is a commitment that takes discipline, but if you’ve got the gumption to be travelling around the world on your own, it shouldn’t be a problem for you.
Voila – a solid plan allowing you to travel, work and study.
Who said you couldn’t have it all?
