By “I won’t be able to find a job abroad” – Don’t Stop Living (Facebook|Twitter|Instagram)
A lame excuse not to travel that I hear time and time again is the old “I’ll not be able to find a job abroad” excuse. Every time I hear it and try to counteract it, I tend to get repsonses from the person like “Oh I wouldn’t go to Australia to work in a farm” or “I wouldn’t work in a pub in England” or “I can’t work in China because I can’t speak Chinese”. Well, time to quosh that myth and preconception that so many of you have, time to realise that YOU can and will find a job abroad, here’s how.
I have now travelled extensively to over 100 countries, working legally in 5 of them and doing some other work in others, and not once did I ever have a problem finding a job, looking for a job or earning the money I needed. It’s all about belief, confidence, desire, passion and commitment. When you move to a new country, you just need to show your desire to get a job. Most interviewers for any job just want to see somebody that has a passion for the job they have advertised. Sure, experience and expertise are pretty important, but I’ve always found a passionate attitude and confidence in interviews has been the key to finding jobs abroad. You have to want to work. You can’t be lazy or make excuses.
“I’m a parent. I can’t travel with kids” – Travel With Bender (Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|Pinterest)
Oh please. Our two kids have been to 64 countries in the last 3 years.
We often get asked about the challenges of travelling with kids and there’s no doubt it can be more complicated than travelling solo or as a couple. But the experience is also so much more richer and rewarding. Kids add a new dimension to exploring a foreign culture – their wonderment, their awe, their sense of adventure. Everything feels new to them, which in turn excites and energises us as parents.
Being a parent is the world’s toughest and most rewarding job. But I find that dealing with a temper tantrum in a suburban living room isn’t any easier or harder than dealing with it on a Caribbean beach. So I might as well go through that in a more beautiful locale. At least a cocktail is always within reach 🙂
Editor’s Note: Need more inspiration? Caz & Craig from yTravel, Lainie from Raising Miro, Talon from 1 Dad, 1 Kid, and Jade from OurOyster all manage it too!
“I’m too old to travel” – Travel Tales of Life (Facebook|Twitter|Instagram)
Well past intermission in the play of life, little makes my eye twitch more than the declaration by someone of similar age that they are too old to travel. Having cycled in Italy with a gentleman in his 80’s and parasailed off a cliff In Turkey with a feisty lady 79 years young, I draw on these extraordinary role models for inspiration.
Media headlines shriek of goals to be accomplished and destinations to have visited by the ripe old age of 25. Small wonder those in their senior years feel pressure to head to the rocking chair prematurely. Fighting the ‘you’re too old to play’ rhetoric our article 10 Things to Do Before You’re 95, acts as a guide to living fully and traveling, no matter age or ability.
The final curtain will come down soon enough for all. Until then discovery and exploration in locations near and far are possible thanks to a travel industry ready to accommodate the needs and wants of an ever growing of active baby boomers. The rocking chair will happily wait for you.
Editor’s Note: My folks both got their starts traveling just shy of 50, and have well and truly got the bug now. They’ve both taken multiple trips to both China and South Korea, and are in the process of trying to figure out how they can make their next trip.
“I’m too scared to travel alone” – Chantae Was Here (Facebook|Pinterest|Instagram)
Chances are, your friends and family won’t be able to accompany you on your travel adventures. Due to work commitments, financial woes, personal drama, and millions of other excuses, most people that you know won’t accompany you on your life-changing quest to eat every single type of taco in South America.
However, this doesn’t mean you should be afraid to travel alone because it’s easier to meet people on the road than you might think. Hostels and popular attractions are filled with others looking for a friend to share their experiences with. Most other solo travelers are also on the lookout for companionship, making it easy to find someone to do an activity with. In fact, sometimes traveling alone can be much more social than traveling with one other person because it pushes you to constantly branch out and meet strangers. When you have a friend tagging along, it’s more convenient to keep to yourselves. After you get a few days under your belt as a solo traveler, I bet you’ll even find it more enjoyable than traveling with a friend. You have the freedom to do whatever you want whenever you want — something that’s just not possible when you travel with someone else.
“I can’t travel. I’m afraid of terrorism” – She Tells Travel Tales (Facebook|Instagram)
Terrorism is a very real threat all over the world. And while it can seal off borders, shut down air travel and scare people into hiding, it’s no reason not to travel. Here’s why:
Statistically speaking, your chances of dying in a terrorist attack are about 1 in 20 million. You have a higher chance of drowning in your bathtub or being crushed by your television set. Of course it’s a different story if you’re active military or traveling through Syria, Iraq or Afghanistan, but for the average person, chances are low.
Terrorism is unpredictable and unfortunately, leaves most touristy places vulnerable. Is it worth forgoing an amazing travel experience on the 1 in 20 million chance it might targeted by terrorism? Probably not.
If you live your life in fear of terrorists, they’ve already won. Enjoy, live and don’t let the assholes of the world taint your perception of a place with such beautiful potential. Here’s to hoping that the recent tragic acts of terror will unite the free world. Much love to the City of Light.
Next: Why fear of strange food, pregnancy, and disability are no barrier to travel
