Working in Europe

[Sonny07]

I am an Australian student looking to find work in Europe and live here for half a year. Ive met quite a few people who are also looking to do a similar thing, so I gather its quite a popular thing to do.

I am going to Spain in Janurary to try and find a job, as Ive heard English teaching is relatively easy to get a job in, however after extensive internet searching Ive turned up little. It seems you need to have a TEFL certificate (you have to pay to get a certificate that says you can teach English....)
for many placements.

My question is, has anyone had experience in, or know anything about finding work in Europe for an English speaking Australian Student?

Hope to get a bit of feedback from you all, Cheers!

[Prawn_86]

Hi Sonny,

Welcome to ATF :)

I think it really depends what you want the work for, by the sounds of it you just want to work to help pay your way a little, as opposed to a career/'proper' job.

I know someone in Spain at the moment, and I'm pretty sure she just went to all the different bars/hostels/anything touristy and asked for work and she eventually picked something up.

Re teaching, as far as i know, you are correct saying you need a TESOL certificate.

Hope that helps a little.

[miss_bella19]

I´m an Aussie girl who has spent the last year and a half living and working in Spain. Unless your lucky enough to also have a European passport your choices are pretty limited.
I did the rounds of hostels an bars and although many will insist on you having work papers there are some which don´t mind. (However police crackdowns in the last year have made this harder.) Some places also prefer you to speak Spanish, for others you only need English.
For this type of work you really have to be in the right place at the right time, you will not be able to get a job lined up online while still in Oz and have it waiting for you when you arrive in Spain.
Nannying is also very easy work to find, either online on au-pair websites or once you arrive.
As someone already said, these jobs will simply give you a bit of extra money to extend your trip, you will not be earning loads of cash!
One more thing, summer is a FAR easier time to find a job, late May early June when evry one is gearing up for the Summer season.

[Prawn_86]

How easy is it to obtain a working visa in countries other than the UK? What are our members experiences?

[buddinghealth]

I can speak about Europe jobs but recently did the TEFL think in SE Asia and it was an amazing experience - def get a decent TEFL qualification before you go and in Europe many places require you to have experience too - think you can pick up work in summer schools though or do a language exchange and learn spanish!

[Prawn_86]

Thanks BH, thats a good idea. There is alos a TEFL thread here, if you want to share further experiences:
http://www.aussietravellersforum.com.au/forums/showthread.php?t=135

[Philip P]

Some European cities have an Australian bar - if you have an accent you should be able to get a job.

[warrigal]

I have now wasted $1300 in conseltation services fees now with two different Visa agents and because I don't have a University education ,they just say no you can't get a work visa.

From what I have seen and herd you haven't got a hope of a visa unless you have a European connection, (ancestory, family, spouse, family conections)
( EU recidency rights) In fact you can't even get a registation with an Employment agency if you don't have Visa or EU Residency Rights, (Family etc)

Been there can't get a work visa despite my work qualifications

[Amy121]

Ive heard English teaching is relatively easy to get a job in

This is a common myth in many countries, on one side yes there are many jobs teaching English but there are far more native English speakers looking to do this than there are jobs available. Many applicants will have a qualification, teaching experience and speak Spanish at an intermediate level (as well as the right to work either EU passport or working visa) unfortunately without any of these you would be way down the list from an employers perspective.