[MT420MT]

Has anyone ever been backpacking through Europe or anywhere else for an extended amount of time? Did you have to get a job?

I want to go to Europe for 6 months and I was wondering what the best way to do this is. I want to work while I'm there and make a little side money and get a better flavor of the culture. Does anyone have any tips on traveling the world and finding side jobs or any suggestions on volunteer work that could get me free lodging.

I'm interested in anyone's stories about world travel and working and living in other countries. How much did it cost you? How long did you travel? What kinds of side jobs did you find and other tips would be greatly appreciated... I wanna start planning this trip for next year.

[Adnan22]

Watch Hostel before deciding to do that

[GoRiders]

My experience is that you are better off to delay your trip by a couple of months and work and save versus trying to find work in Europe. Most of the jobs that they would give to foreigners pay crappy. Really crappy.

When I was in Greece these American kids were working in this restaurant washing dishes for $10/day. Not a great way to travel...especially if you may only do the trip once.

I think you can make good money teaching English in Japan (bunch of buddies did that).

You seem to see lots of Germans and Swedes who are drawn to cheap countries just hanging out. Seems more like killing time than actually seeing a country.

You should try to figure out what you want to do and see and then budget accordingly. In my opinion there is no sense going to France if you can't afford to go see things like museums and to eat out once every so often. It's not much of a holiday if ever meal is spaghetti at the hostel with the Aussies.

Sleeping on over night trains is a crappy way/plan to try to save money. Especially when you are pissed. Nothing like someone asking you for your papers/ticket every hour to mess you up.

My buddy skied for a season in Europe by doing day camps for British kids. Basically baby sitter but at least you are on the hill all day.

Every hostel I stayed at was manned by travelers. Most of the time they would just be lying on the couch watching videos, killing time. Seemed a bad way to spend a trip.

I think the key is to have a little bit of planning. Not a strict agenda unless you are tight on time. You want to be flexible so that if you meet some nice chicks you can go Greece right away to rub oil on thier backs.

[MT420MT]

bump

[YeahBee]

do you play the guitar? just sit around have a hat next to you and you could earn some money, my mate travelled around Europe playing the fiddle, he even got some small gigs at restaurants

[Ualue]

Join the U.S. Air Force or Army.

[kakashi]

couchsurfing.com