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 We get many questions about the different options available in South Africa and abroad. Here are some of the commonest:
WORK OUTSIDE SOUTH AFRICA
VISAS
I am a South African citizen. Are there any visa requirements, and which countries allow South Africans to work legally whilst abroad?
Working visas are only available to South Africans for Canada and the USA. Canada seems your best bet as you can go for 12 months. Earn enough there and save enough to then travel to other countries where you are not allowed to work. Travel between the USA/Canada and Europe is not expensive, and South America is also an option (Spanish is useful, except for Brazil where they speak Portuguese).
An excellent option is either the summer camp program in the USA and Canada, or the ski resorts in the same countries. Many organizations can help you plan a few months working. The summer camps run in northern hemisphere summer, and the ski resorts need people in December through February
If you travel without a work visa you will only get menial jobs, under the counter payments, no recourse if someone takes advantage of you, and you risk deportment if you get caught
CRUISE SHIPS
I have heard that it is fun to work on a cruise ship. What are the requirements to be able to work on a cruise ship in other areas around the world?
If you enjoy working with people, and don’t mind long hours, then cruising is for you. You will certainly make many friends and contacts, and get to see some of the world. Where you go is up to you, although visas can be a hassle. This link is to the best website we’ve found on the do’s and don’t’s of working on cruise ships, and will give you enough advice to get going. There are many opportunities available to all of us – do the work up front, research the industry thoroughly, and design your life!
To see the variety of smaller cruise ships available (not necessarily offering jobs) go to Smallshipcruises.com.
Also have a look at the following:
SKI RESORTS
I am keen to work at a ski resort overseas. What qualifications do I need, and where can I get information about available jobs?
Extra help is always required by the thousands at snow ski resorts in the USA and Canada, in Europe and Australasia. There are different types of work available, inside and outside, and the more prepared you are the better. For instance, doing a cookery course will enhance your chances of getting a job (indoors!); become a ski instructor to be sure of a job; childcare jobs are readily available if you have the required experience or qualifications.
Once you have selected the resorts where you want to work, do your research – what will the tourists want to know about what is available in the resort and environs, such as best places to eat, to take the kids, cosy pubs, who is the best instructor, etc.
Have a look at these websites for more information:
- JobMonkey.com – all types of jobs all over the USA at ski resorts, with lots of advice and information
- SeasonWorkers.com – a comprehensive site of jobs at ski resorts available throughout the USA
- The Overseas Job Centre – ski jobs all over the world, including the USA
- CCUSA –jobs at ski resorts available in Canada
- BUNAC - jobs at ski resorts available in Canada
New Zealand has quite a few ski resorts, although snow is not always present year-round, but there is plenty in the southern hemisphere’s winter (May to August).
If you are a qualified ski instructor you will find the links to Peak Leaders and Treble Cone useful.
If you want to become an instructor there are courses run in New Zealand by Snow Skool, Rookie Academy, Natives.co.uk, The International Academy, Non-Stop Ski, and iGapYear.com.
Here is a list at Ski Central of ski resorts in New Zealand, and some links to live snow cameras in New Zealand!
AU PAIR
I am a South African, and want to work as an au pair overseas. I have heard tell of good and bad experiences. How can I find out who to approach?
Start with our page on African Gap Year where there is lots of advice, with specific information for different countries. Also look at NewAuPair.com which is an excellent international au pair site (you can search by country), and GreatAuPair.com .
TEMPORARY JOBS
I want to work whilst traveling overseas – where can I get information about available jobs?
Here are some websites geared to those taking a gap year or looking for temporary employment:
- Page on African Gap Year with many articles and links to various types of jobs and different countries
- Anywork Anywhere shows available jobs from many countries around the world
- Seasonworkers.com is a comprehensive site offering opportunities and information
VOLUNTEER OUTSIDE SA
I am thinking of volunteering overseas whilst on my gap year, but I don’t know where to start. Please help!
Many of the volunteering opportunities are work options without (meaningful) pay, but you could get to do some very interesting things.
Here is the page on our website which in turn has much useful information and many links to volunteering opportunities all over the world.
WORK IN SOUTH AFRICA
SPORT COACHING
I have finished matric and want to coach sport here in South Africa whilst taking a gap. However, I do not have the money to pay to voilunteer. Please let me know where I can get more information.
Here some ideas:
- Start on our African Gap Year page
- Google to find sports coaching opportunities - most are expensive, but this could change, so search regularly
- contact primary and high schools in areas in your city near where you would be staying, ask to speak to someone about coaching, and take it from there. If you speak with 15 teachers/administrators you will get a result. I speak from experience - just persist! (eg. Yellow Pages search for schools in Cape Town and all the private schools in South Africa)
- get hold of any coaching manuals to learn basic techniques and drills common to all sports. Look on the internet for free manuals (eg. soccer ; basketball )
- this website is very good - jobs in sports - details will change, but it appears that with a bit of work you could find many opportunities
- King's Camps - might be one of your options as a support coach (Christian organization)
- Abang Africa - soccer coaching
Once you have a degree and are at least 20 years old you could get in contact with SCORE (Sports Coaches Outreach) based in Cape Town
CRUISE SHIPS
I have heard that it is fun to work on a cruise ship. What are the requirements to be able to work on a cruise ship in South Africa?
In South Africa the cruise liners operate from about October through to April. A very useful site if you have a qualification in the hotel and hospitality industries for South African’s is Cruise Alternatives.
Check the organisation you are thinking of dealing with at Cruise Ships Job Scams before committing your hard earned money!
AU PAIR
I am doing a gap year in South Africa, and want to work as an au pair. Please provide me with information.
Your best bet is to contact some of the agencies recommended below. On our African Gap Year page are the requirements for being an au pair in South Africa, together with links to the following agencies:
- JCR South Africa – excellent advice and downloads, providing a full service to both au pairs and the host families
- Au Pair SA - a free service for au pairs looking for jobs in South Africa.
- NewAuPair.com – international au pair site – this link lists many South African jobs available
- GreatAuPair.com – international au pair site with some South African jobs listed by suburb or region
VOLUNTEER IN SA
I want to volunteer here in South Africa during my year off. I don’t really want to pay, but I am also happy not to earn much. Please provide me with some more information.
This page on the African Gap Year website is the best place to start as it has links to many organizations.
Alternatively you could use the directory of charity and NGO’s, sorted by category and by geographical area.
GENERAL
I want to take a gap year next year, but my parents want me to continue with my studies as they are afraid that I’ll not want to study after taking a year or two off. Do you have any advice for me?
Neville wrote an article on just this topic! Go to this link for the full article.
I really want to take a gap year, but I can’t afford to do it. Where can I get the money to take a gap?
Well, you won’t be given money for nothing! However, here are some ideas on how to deal with the obstacles facing you.
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