BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi!

I am looking to go on an epic adventure this October, but my problem is where to start. I'm looking to work abroad for at least the first half of my trip, and want to find something that would allow me to spend what I make, so that I can use the money I an earning now for the second half of my trip. I have two options:

The first option is BUNAC. For those unfamiliar, this program would allow me to get a working holiday visa. I would do it in Ireland, and the visa would allow me to work for 4 months. The cons to this would be that Ireland is very expensive (if I went this route, I am interested in living in Galway), and I'd have to find someone to hire me for only 4 months, as well as find a place to live. I was hoping I can find a nice hostel to live in that would let me work a few hours for accommodation. The pro to this would be that I'd be getting paid in Euros, so if I do come out ahead, I'd be well off anywhere else I decide to go (possibly South America). Also if I don't do this now, I'll never be able to again, as one of the prerequisites for the visa is that I can't be more than one semester out of school.

The next option is TEFL in Thailand. I've already been accepted to TEFL International's special Thai project, and would be set up teaching in a school with accommodation provided for free and around $900/month salary for 4 months. The pro to doing this is that Thailand is cheap, and I am not a big spender, so I am sure that would be enough to live off of completely and would still be able to enjoy myself. I also already know I have a job and a place to live, so finding all that is a nonissue. Also, well, it's Thailand, and I've always wanted to go to Thailand. And lastly, I'd have a TEFL certification that I can take with me somewhere else if I wanted to continue that route. The con, which for me is a biggie (really the only thing keeping me from not signing up right away), is that the start date to the program means that I'd have to fly out the day after I take the LSATs (Law school admissions exam), and I wanted some time after the LSATs to prepare myself for my trip. I'd rather concentrate on this really important exam than have to think about leaving for Thailand the next day.


I'm of course not asking people to make this decision for me. I am looking for feedback from people who have some experience working in these countries and can give me information that can help me make my decision. I want to travel for 6 months after I do these programs, so it's important I don't blow all the money I am saving now (because I don't have too much of it) on the first half of my trip, but at the same time, I need to know I'd be able to live comfortably. I'm pretty torn, would be happy in both of these locations, and want to make the smartest move possible that would allow my money to stretch the farthest.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I look forward to reading any responses!

Hi,

All I can comment on in Bangkok - I lived there for two years a few years ago on $1000 a month, and that was plenty. Allowing for inflation and my own inflated lifestyle at the time (going out to eat a lot, off to the beach etc) I would think that $900 is enough to live on without plunging into your savings.

I don't know Ireland but I live in France right now, which isn't as expensive as Ireland - and making ends meet on twice that would be a challenge. You can get a cheap place to live, especially outside Paris, but food costs a lot, and going out even more. Things like public transportation are quite expensive. Of course you can do it but I personally wouldn't want to.

My two cents' worth! :-)

Leyla