Tag Archive for: work travel

7 Tips for How to Create an Au Pair Profile

If you love to travel and work with kids, you might consider looking for an Au Pair position abroad. Au Pair Legend is the most well-known platform for families looking for Au Pairs, and for Au Pairs who are trying to find the right Host Families.

Through a secure and easy-to-use free app, Au Pairs can connect with Host Families that ‘like’ their profile to ensure a good match. So, if you want to attract more likes from Host Families, follow these 7 tips to create an Au Pair profile.

1. How to Write an Au Pair Profile

“When creating your profile, make sure you include as much as possible,” says William Check, an Au Pair blogger at Assignment Services and Essay Roo. “Host Families use Au Pairs’ profiles to decide whoever is the best choice for them. So, the more you tell that family about yourself, the more likely they’ll contact you.”

With that said, here are the main sections you need to create an Au Pair profile that is both interesting and filled with useful information for Host Families.

The “About Me” section is where you can tell families about yourself.

  • Your hobbies and interests
  • Favorite weekend activities
  • Favorite food, drink, etc.

The “Childcare Experience” is where you can give information about your experience with children.

  • The age range of children you’ve cared for
  • Favorite child activities
  • ​Any babysitting experience that you might have
  • First aid or childcare certifications

Be sure to fill out the open-ended section where you can tell families why you want to be an Au Pair.

2. Add Photos to Your Au Pair Profile

Create a great au pair profile by adding the right photos

By adding the right photos, you can create an Au Pair profile that Host Families are likely to notice. Our expert Au Pair profile tip is to add at least 6 photos that showcase the following:

  • Your hobbies and interests
  • Yourself participating in fun activities with children
  • Professional photos that make you appear… well, professional

3. Make Sure Your Au Pair Profile is Sincere

Since most families can be busy with work or other obligations, they’ll need an Au Pair that they can trust. In that case, make sure you create an Au Pair profile that portrays you as sincere and trustworthy.

In other words, imagine what it must be like to be a busy mother or father, and understand that they need someone who is responsible, caring, good with children and, more importantly, mature. 

Therefore, creating a friendly and sincere profile is key to convincing families that you’re the perfect Au Pair for them.

4. Sell Yourself

It’s important to show off your expertise and to have families realize how valuable you are as an Au Pair. For example, families prefer Au Pairs that have years of experience working with children.

So, if you have years of experience behind you, then be sure to make that known in your profile. A good Au Pair profile example will also list other responsibilities that you’ve done while taking care of the children, such as household chores or meal preparation.

5. Connect with 1 or 2 Countries

Create a great au pair profile

One of our best Au Pair profile tips is to show that you are invested in the host country. If you’re committed to going to a country, then you need to show that to Host Families by:

  • Learning their language
  • Writing in their language
  • Embracing the local culture

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you struggle with a new language. Most families will understand, and they would be more than happy to help you. In fact, most Au Pair programs include a monetary stipend for language classes.

6. Provide References on your Au Pair Profile

“Just like applying for any job, you have to have references to show for your Au Pair profile,” says Finley Khan, a personal branding expert at Essay Services and Assignment Help. “As families are looking to invite Au Pairs to become a part of them, some may feel more comfortable with an Au Pair who is able to provide references.”

In your references, you can include letters and contact information from the following people:

  • Previous employers
  • Trusted members of your community (i.e. religious leader and or judges)
  • Members of professional associations (i.e. accountants, lawyers, etc.)

7. Get an Au Pair Visa

Create an Au Pair profile that will help you stand out from the crowd

Our last Au Pair profile tip is to secure a working visa for when you’re planning to meet the Host Family – whether it’s for an interview, or for a job. In most cases, families will only interview Au Pairs that have already received their visa. It’s important to learn more about visa requirements in the Host Family’s country before going so that you are fully prepared.

Conclusion

We hope you found this advice helpful in your effort to create an Au Pair profile. We wish you good luck in your quest and hope that these 7 Au Pair profile tips will help you stand out from the crowd and find a great Host Family!

Volunteer While Backpacking South America

If you are someone who loves to travel as much as I do, you’ll be familiar with the traditional advice on how to travel inexpensively. Hostels, couch surfing, camping… and eating nothing but buttered pasta for weeks on end. What if I told you that there is an easier way to travel the world, save money, and have a memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience? Imagine summiting Machu Picchu, getting a tan on the beaches of Lima, or dancing in Rio. Worldpackers makes finding volunteer work while backpacking South America more accessible than ever!

Volunteer in South America via a Reputable Agency

If volunteer work in South America sounds like something you want to do, it’s best to do it via a reputable agency. An agency will help screen volunteer programs and hosts in South America to make sure you have support every step of the way.

Finding a Host on Worldpackers

Worldpackers is a service that connects travellers with volunteer work in South America and around the world. Travellers and hosts use the service to find each other, and each provides an integral part of the exchange.

The hosts will offer a place to stay. Perhaps a hostel, camp, family home, farm, or NGO to a traveller in exchange for hours worked or volunteered on the property. A traveller works on the property a set number of hours per week in exchange for free accommodation, and sometimes other perks such as free food, free bike rentals, free tours… the list is endless!

How to build your Worldpackers profile

To begin on Worldpackers as a traveller, all you need to do is sign up, pay a yearly membership, USD $49.99 and begin searching for your dream volunteer program in South America. You can apply to as many experiences you like. If a host thinks that you’ll be a good fit, you’ll be pre-approved. All that’s left to do is book your flight and pack!

The Worldpackers interface is extremely intuitive and easy to use. You can search experiences by destination, purpose of the trip, availability, skills you offer, style of travel, hours of collaboration, trip length, additional benefits and more. That makes searching through their thousands of experiences easy and manageable. You can also read all reviews from other Worldpackers who have lived that experience, so you have the peace of mind that you’re making the right choice in applying. 

The site also offers hundreds of articles, videos and courses about how to stand out as a volunteer. You can earn badges and certificates for your profile which will make you a more desirable candidate and can increase your chances of being selected by the hosts you want! 

Long Term Volunteer Work in South America

Most Worldpackers volunteer trips in South America require the volunteers to stay between 2-4 weeks. However, you will find a huge variety of minimum time commitments on the site. 

The benefits of long-term travel are plenty. Connecting to a location, immersing yourself in a different culture, contributing to a local community and making lifelong connections are just a few of the highlights past Worldpackers shared in their reviews. 

There is also value in establishing a home base with a volunteer program when you are backpacking South America. When travelling and living out of a backpack for long periods of time, it can be a great reset to feel at home for a while. 

Your hosts and fellow travellers can become a family away from home and they can be a great resource for planning for your next destinations. 

Volunteer Trips In South America

Let’s look at some current volunteer opportunities for those backpacking South America. 

There are over 1500 volunteer positions available in South America at the time of writing this article. Some require as short of a time commitment of only one week! I’m happy to highlight just a few opportunities available this spring & summer.

Volunteer at the reception of a hostel in Bogotá, Colombia

This position is looking for a warm and friendly individual to work behind the counter greeting guests at their hostel. As a volunteer, you’d work 32 hours a week. You would also be asked to give a hand in the kitchen. 

Aside from a free bed, this experience also offers you free breakfast each morning, use of their kitchen, bikes at your disposal and discounts on drinks. This hostel has achieved top host status, meaning that they have consistently received great reviews from travellers who have lived this experience. 

Past Worldpackers have said this experience excels in helping them immerse themselves in the culture, meet locals, develop social awareness, and meet other international travellers. 

Explore more volunteer work in Colombia

Share your knowledge in Catuama, Brazil

“Share your knowledge and experience on skills that you have developed or learned.”

Do you have a special skill or talent? Why not bring yourself to Brazil to teach in a hostel! Whether it be teaching a sport, organizing events, or running a craft workshop – this experience may be for you!

This host is asking Worldpackers to stay at least 15 days. In exchange you get 3 days off per week, pickup, and transport to the hostel when you arrive, access to the kitchen and discounts on accommodation for your stay in other hostels as you continue with your travels.   

Other Worldpackers recommend this experience for getting in touch with nature, learning about sustainability and developing greater environmental awareness. 

Explore more volunteer work in Brazil

Volunteer at our Zoo in the Peruvian Andes Valley, Lima Peru

“Join us as a Zoo volunteer! Work alongside skilled veterinarians and staff, at our local Zoo in the Peruvian Andes. As a volunteer, you will learn about each species and support by feeding animals, spending time/sharing loving energy with animals, helping veterinarians administer medications, cleaning, gardening, and maintaining the atmosphere for the animals.”

If cost isn’t a limiting factor during your travel, there are even more opportunities available to you. This experience, and a select few others, may charge an additional fee. For instance, are you an animal lover? While backpacking South America, you could volunteer at a local zoo, helping to care for animals. 

This position only requires 3 hours of work each weekday, which frees up the rest of your time to explore this beautiful country! This position also provides breakfast and lunch each day. 

They accept couples as well as single volunteers, so if you are travelling with a partner or friend, they are welcome too. 

Those who have volunteered here say this experience was great for meeting locals, immersing in the local culture, and getting in touch with nature. 

Explore more volunteer work in Peru

Community Manager & Web Programmer in Cordoba, Argentina

If you’re looking for volunteer work in South America that would also look great on your resume, why not consider helping out as a community manager and web programmer during your backpacking trip?

 “We are looking for a creative person who has knowledge in digital marketing, social networks and can also help us advertise the hostel organically and using digital ads.”

For anyone with tech skills to spare, this position could be not only fun, but also a great career opportunity to bolster your resume. 

This stunning hostel in Argentina is seeking a talented person to run their social media accounts, and the minimum time requirement is only one week.

You would work 32 hours a week which leaves plenty of time for exploring and spending time with your new friends from around the world.

Explore more volunteer work in Argentina

Multiply and cultivate ornamental plants in Chile

“We reproduce and research ornamental plants, especially the native ones… We’re 5 km away from the touristic city of Valdivia, close to national parks and other attractions. Come help us with different activities in our vivero.”

If you’ve got a green thumb and would love to be surrounded by nature while backpacking South America, why not volunteer in beautiful Chile on a working farm? You’d work farming, gardening, and helping with general labour around the property. 

This experience includes all meals, free laundry, and 2 days off a week. You can also use the on-site bicycles to get into town on your days off.

Explore more volunteer work in Chile

In conclusion, you don’t have to pay a ton of money to travel around the world or have unique experiences. Worldpackers is an incredible resource for backpackers, budget travellers, or those searching for enriching volunteer programs in South America. 

Their site’s search functions make it so easy to find the best volunteer work when backpacking South America. Regardless of your unique travel itinerary, I cannot recommend Worldpackers enough.

How to Work Remotely While Camping

As an entrepreneur and outdoor enthusiast, you’re probably wondering if working remotely is possible when you’re backpacking, camping, or otherwise engaged in outdoor activities. The answer: yes. However, it takes a bit of preparation. Here’s some advice:

Choose your adventures wisely when you have to work remotely

Let’s get this out of the way: it is not always possible to work remotely when you’re out camping. If you’re rock climbing, for example, you can’t stop and pick up the phone. The same goes for if you’re hiking a treacherous path. Make sure that you are fully acquainted with the area in which you plan to travel if you’re going to be outdoors and away from a regular office (or the business center of a hotel).

If you’re going to be working remotely while you’re traveling, choose activities that allow you to take a break of at least an hour at a time. This way, you have time to focus on both your work and the time you’ll spend with your family.

Know what equipment you need to work remotely while camping

You already know that you will need to invest in equipment that will keep you safe if you’re hiking or camping. This might include a camping backpack – which is especially important on multi-day trips – and a standalone GPS unit.

For working remotely while camping, you also need some basic office equipment. This might include a small tablet or laptop computer, a mobile hotspot, and a small folding table for writing. A special note here: make sure that you will have access to power while you are away. The Trekers blog notes that you may need a generator or portable battery.

Set yourself up for success if you run your own business

Believe it or not, it’s possible to run your own business while experiencing the great outdoors. Preparation goes beyond simply knowing your outdoor location and having the right equipment. You will also want to make sure that your work can continue without you should you be unavailable. Start by registering your business as an LLC. This makes it a standalone entity and gives you some financial protection. LLC regulations vary from state to state, so do your research first so that you know what you need before you get started.

You should also appoint an individual to act on your behalf when you can’t be reached. Even though your goal is running a business from the outdoors, you must be realistic: you won’t always be available. Create a company organizational chart so that your employees know who to get in touch with when you’re off the proverbial grid.

Software that enables working remotely while camping

You should also have digital tools and software that allow you to work remotely, whether you are camping or on the road. A few examples here are workflow/project management system and document sharing service.

There are several workflow management programs to choose from, including Asana and HubSpot. Most will integrate with Google Docs, which marketing agency PaperStreet asserts is a secure way to collaborate with your employees and team in real-time.

While there are many hobbies that won’t interfere with working remotely, those of us that spend more time outdoors than in understand that the things we love pose challenges if we want to run our business without being there. But, if you take the time to prepare ahead, you can circumvent many of the greatest hurdles and keep things moving no matter where you are in the world.

Work and Travel Jobs: Working a Season at a Ski Resort

Backpacking means that you can get out and explore the world however you see fit. Though you might want to always be on the move, there are times when it is better to sit still and work a little. One of the best work travel jobs for backpackers is working a season at a ski resort in Europe or North America. Here are some of the reasons why this might be the right choice for you!

A Variety of Work-Travel Opportunities

One of the best reasons to work a season at a ski resort can simply be for the variety of work available. After all, a ski resort might as well be a small city, so there should be plenty of roles that you could fulfil.

If you have the qualifications and the experience, you might be able to find a role as a ski or snowboard instructor. You could also get a job maintaining the slopes and helping out with other aspects of managing the pistes.

Of course, there are also plenty of roles in hospitality. You could work in the lodges, whether they are for private owners or just for people renting for a week or two.

There is usually also a good amount of bar work in the ski resorts. Get your applications in early so you have a good chance at landing a role that works for you and your skills!

Enjoy the Ski Resort Benefits

Use your days off to enjoy employee discounts at the ski resort

Use your days off to enjoy employee discounts at the ski resort

A great reason to choose to work a ski season will always be the days off. Many jobs at resorts will come with either a staff pass or a serious discount for a day pass to the slopes. If you are not scheduled in, you will be able to head out and enjoy everything that the resort has to offer!

Just make sure that you are fully prepared for your time outside so that you can keep yourself safe on the slopes. It would be devastating if you were to run into trouble at the start of the season and would be left having to give up your position. Use tools like pistepro.com to monitor conditions on the slopes, and make sure your equipment is always properly maintained.

Meeting People from All over the World

Meet people from all over the world while working at a ski resort

Meet people from all over the world while working at a ski resort

When you choose to work a season at a ski resort, you will be able to meet people from all around the world. Whether you are a housekeeper or a bartender, there is always a chance that you will run into someone from the other side of the world who might nevertheless be your new best friend.

You have to work, and work hard, but don’t forget to have fun too! A ski resort is a great place to live for a few months.

Whether you are in Canada, one of Europe’s best ski resorts, or anywhere else with amazing slopes, you will have so many opportunities at your feet. Don’t be afraid to take on new challenges and embrace everything this adventure has to offer you!

As a backpacker, it can sometimes be good to stay put for a little while. In addition to the experience of working in a ski resort, you will be able to work up a fantastic pot that you can use to further your travels.

Working at a Ski Resort Abroad

If you’re interested in traveling abroad to work at a ski resort, be sure to check into the local visa rules for work travel. Some countries grant short-term work visas for people who are only interested in working for a season.

Working at a Ski Resort in the USA

Most of the ski resorts in the US are found in the West and Central regions, in the Sierra Nevadas and the Rocky Mountains. There are also some top-notch ski resorts found in the Northern New England area, in Vermont and New York State.

If you are a US citizen, you shouldn’t have any complications finding short term work at a ski resort in the US. Lots of young people choose to work a season at a ski resort in between high school and university, or after graduating from college.

If you are not from the US, you’ll need to secure a work visa to work a season at a ski resort. The most common work travel visa for the USA is the H2B visa. With this visa, the ski resort sponsors you directly to work there.

Unfortunately, in the past couple of years, the number of H2B visas has been limited, since ski resorts need to show that they cannot find a US citizen to fill the job. If you are a certified ski or snowboard instructor, you’ll have a better chance of landing a job at a US Ski Resort. Be sure to apply ahead of time, since most of the jobs are filled in the springtime before the winter season.

Working at a Ski Resort in Canada

Famous for backcountry skiing and massive Rocky Mountain resorts, Canada is one of the best places to work a season at a ski resort. Besides, Canada has a working holiday visa program, which makes it easier for foreigners to get a ski resort job in Canada compared with the US and even Europe.

The working holiday visa is open for most countries for young people from age 18 to 30/35. The benefit of the program is that you do not have to secure a job before going. The visa is valid for a year or two (depending on your country) and allows you to travel to Canada and start looking for a job.

Be sure to check the specific requirements to see if you’re eligible for a work travel visa for Canada.

Working at a Ski Resort in Europe

The most popular European ski resorts are found in Austria, Switzerland, France, and Germany. You can also go north to Scandinavia and find work in Norway or Sweden.

If you are a local EU citizen, you won’t have any visa trouble securing a job at a ski resort in Europe. However, if your job will have any sort of client interaction, you must speak the local language of the resort. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult for non-EU citizens to secure a job at a European ski resort since most of the jobs will go to the locals.

However, Austria and France now have a work-travel agreement with several countries, including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, Korea and Chinese Taipei.

Switzerland does not have a work-travel visa program, so your only option would be to hope for a cash job at a Swiss Ski Resort.

Nevertheless, if it is your dream to work a season at a ski resort in Europe, be sure to check the working requirements, as things may change in the future.

Where will you go next? What will you do? All could be determined by what you manage to save up whilst working at the ski resort.

Take the time to work out whether this could be the right move for you careerwise, and then see if there is a ski resort that will take you on for the season!

Gifts for Digital Nomads 

After the year we’ve had, it’s clear that the world is changing. As companies are starting to realize that remote work is a real possibility, more and more people are looking to become digital nomads. If you or someone you know is thinking about embracing life on the road, take a look through the best gifts for digital nomads and help make the dream of working from anywhere come true.

Universal all in one power adapter


A universal power adapter is a must-have travel gadget for anyone who travels regularly. Unless you have a way to charge them, it makes no difference how many phones, tablets, or laptops you own.

The power outlets in different countries vary in shape and size, so making sure you can use your favorite travel gadgets has to be one of your top priorities. A multi-country adapter is a game-changer and removes the worry of having your electronics, run out of battery, no matter where you are in the world.

Universal Sim Card for portable Wi-Fi

The struggle of having to use the poor Wi-Fi at a budget hostel is well known to anyone who has traveled abroad. Make sure to always stay connected wherever you are by bringing along a universal Sim Card that will serve as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.

It’s high on the list of gifts for digital nomads or anyone who spends time away from the beaten track.

Google Fi is one of the best internet options for digital nomads, plans start at just $16 a month. This powerful device connects to networks in more than 200 countries with up to 22GB of data a month.

Rather than buying a new SIM card in every country, you can use this universal SIM card. You can then use your phone as a hotspot for other devices like your computer or WiFi-connected camera.

Moment Photo Lenses

Transform your smartphone photos into DSLR quality with one of the many snap-on lenses from Moment. With Smartphone cameras getting more and more advanced, it’s no longer necessary to lug around bulky photography equipment as a digital nomad.

You can capture amazing shots with their wide-angle lenses, macro lenses, and more. And since they’re so small, it’s easy to carry them around even when you’re a constant traveler, making it an essential gift for digital nomads.

Noise Cancelling Ear Buds

You’ll be happy to have a set of noise-cancellling earbuds if you get stuck behind a crying baby, or need to take a loud and rattly mode of transport. And the compact size makes it a practical gift for digital nomads on the go.

A Digital Luggage Scale

I can’t even count the number of times I’ve wanted to weigh my luggage on the road. Knowing exactly how heavy my bags were before reaching the airport could have saved stressful packing, repacking, as well as some unavoidable baggage fees.

Since you can’t always be sure to find a scale when you’re on the road, bring along a compact digital luggage scale so that you will never be surprised.

Smartphone Gimbal

If you’re looking to document your travels as a digital nomad, you can take your videos to the next level with a sophisticated travel gimbal. Gimbals are used to stabilize and remove shake from moving or shifting footage.

Whether you’re cruising along in a Tuk Tuk in Thailand or zipping through Hai Van pass in Vietnam, the gimbal can help avoid a shaky and choppy video. Many gimbals come with zoom capabilities, slow motion, and time lapse functions.

Digital nomads who use a smartphone as their primary video content source should definitely consider gimbals since they are small, portable, and are a must-have gadget for traveling.

Phone and wallet waterproof case

A waterproof case for your valuables is a simple, but valuable gift for digital nomads, particularly for those heading to a beach location. Keep your phone with you even when taking a dip, and have it on hand to capture amazing shots from the water.

An inexpensive waterproof case you can wear around your neck will eliminate all your worries. It’s a lifesaver, and it holds your phone, wallet, keys, etc.

Travel drone

Use a drone to capture amazing photos of your travels as a digital nomad

Use a drone to capture amazing photos of your travels

Travel drones have gotten a lot more affordable in the past few years, and their cool factor is hard to match. With everyone taking the same photos on social media these days, it’s amazing to be able to capture shots and footage that not many others can.

With drone photography, your video will have an amazing cinematic effect that will impress your viewers. Due to technological advances, drones have become cheaper and foldable, making them easier to travel with. A drone is a great tool for anyone who plans to travel, whether for work or for leisure.

Lightweight Laptop

A Macbook Air is the laptop of choice for digital nomads

A Macbook Air is the laptop of choice for digital nomads

When every ounce counts, you want a durable, lightweight laptop to accompany you on your travels. The most popular laptop on a digital nomad packing list is the MacBook Air. It’s got great processing power, that will allow you to edit photos and videos while being compact enough to slip inside your backpack or suitcase.

Power Bank

Unlike the travelers of yesteryear, today’s digital nomad requires electronic devices to navigate. Therefore, it becomes even more crucial to make sure you always have a backup power source.

In cases of power outages, hours on the road, give them the gift of a power bank so that your compass, map, lifeline (i.e., your smartphone!) are always charged and ready.

Conclusion

Picking the right gift for a digital nomad can be a challenge with so many options available. Start with some practical gadgets like a waterproof phone case and universal power adapter, and then move on to more fun stuff like drones and gimbals.