Can’t find a Job? Combine Travel with a Job Overseas.

You always said you wanted to see the world. But your parents talked you into going to college first—to get a better job. So you did that. Now you and your sheepskin holding compatriots are pounding the streets with no luck. And you’re in debt up to your eyeballs. You can stay home with your parents and watch travel videos. Or you can put that sheepskin to work and get a job overseas. Many countries value your degree—even a liberal arts degree.

A recent article in GO Overseas by John Bentley noted that nearly 1 billion people around the world are eager to learn English. If you’re a recent college grad and have a TEFL certification, you can probably land a job as an English teacher in as many as 100 countries worldwide. There are perks too. Like free airfare and housing.  Granted, you’re not going to earn a Wall-Street salary, but the low cost of living overseas will let you save some decent coin—enough to at least put a dent in that big student loan. Plus, you’re doing what you’ll undoubtedly spend a lot of coin later doing—experiencing life in a foreign county. Beats working at Target or in a boiler room cubicle staring at a travel poster.

Bentley lists a number of countries that are looking for teachers. If you took Spanish in school, you’ll feel right at home in Spain. They recruit over 1,000 American teaching assistants in their state schools and many more in private language institutes for adults eager to learn English. Chile is also looking for teachers, with the Ministry of Education offering volunteer placements in public schools that include a homestay with local families. Japan recruits 4,000 Americans every year, with thousands of additional openings in language schools and institutes nationwide. Then there’s China, where over 300 million Chinese take English classes every year. China’s low cost of living, free housing and airfare make it a viable option if you don’t have a lot of upfront cash.

An article in Business Newsday noted that Chicago-based International TEFL Academy, which offers courses for teaching English abroad, had reported record enrollments in April 2013 as more college seniors sought teaching opportunities overseas. “The job market continues to be extremely difficult for new college graduates entering the workforce,” said Bruce Jones, President of International TEFL Academy. “But for those looking for international adventure and opportunity, virtually any college graduate who earns a TEFL certification, there are thousands of job openings teaching English around the world.”

The other advantage of teaching in a foreign country is that you learn the culture—important if you eventually want to work in international business. Living and teaching in a foreign country looks great on a resume.

Degree in hand but can’t find a job? Tired of sending out resumes? Love to travel? Go overseas and teach.

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