5 Ways to Travel and Live Abroad for Free (Or Very, Very Cheaply)

5 Ways to Travel and Live Abroad for Free (Or Very, Very Cheaply)

Day in and day out you head to your desk job to plug away at the computer. You watch the clock or day dream of better places and your passions that just aren't being met. What is your passion? What is your life's work? Maybe you're already doing it. Maybe you fulfill your passions each day. But what if your dreams involve dropping it all and moving abroad? Well, the idea may not be as far fetched after all especially if you could satisfy your dreams for free or without diving into any unnecessary depth.

Today there are more and more stable, worthwhile, and life changing avenues for moving or traveling aboard. No matter your dreams, you can realize the essential importance of public service on nearly every continent around the globe.

1. Join the Peace Corps

It was in 1961 that President John F. Kennedy, Jr. said those ever important words, "[m]y fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you but what together we can do for the freedom of man." And nearly 50 years later, the Peace Corps that he established serves in 77 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Peace Corps volunteers serve overseas for 27 months at a time providing technical assistance in six program areas: education, youth and community development, health, business and information and communications technology, agriculture, and environment. You'll receive $7,425 (pre-tax after you complete your 27 months of service) in transitional funds, free travel to and from your destination, a monthly stipend to cover living expenses, and there's no fee to participate.

2. Join World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)

WWOOF is a global exchange program for those interested in traveling the world while learning about organic farming. It was started in the UK in 1971 and has now spread to nearly every continent. The Web site allows you to connect with individual farms across the globe in places that you would like to live and in areas of farming that you would like to learn about. It's important that you choose carefully because you'll most likely be living with your host family. You exchange work on the farm with free room and board and often meals. WWOOF is set up into different networks from all over the globe and there’s a small fee to join each network (about $30), just to keep the Web site and such up and running.

3. Consider Ashram Living

Living in an Ashram is a great way to turn inward, establish a better relationship with yourself, and then find peace, all the while living abroad for free or on the cheap. And just like Jessica said, Ashrams Aren't Just for Hippies Anymore. Head aboard on an ashram work study and enjoy free yoga classes, meditation training, room, board, meals, and an amazing experience in exchange for a work study that's usually around 3 months in length. Sivananda Ashram in the Bahamas offers a 1 to 3 month residential study for $899 per month. The Salt Spring Ashram in British Columbia offers karma yoga opportunities for $150 per month.

4. Teach English Abroad

There are various programs that allow you to teach English abroad like Language Corps. After completing a certification course which allows you to teach English in your chosen country for between $1,700 and 3,000, you'll be placed in a job teaching in Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam); Europe (Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Russia, and Turkey); and Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru). There's also programs in China and Taiwan. Teachers are usually paid decently well for their work as well, depending on the program.

5. Volunteer Abroad with Go Eco

You can live abroad for up to 2 months through GoEco volunteering projects. Get up close and personal with African wildlife by volunteering in a South African Lion Park or working on a wildlife sanctuary in Namibia. Do community or medical outreach in Kenya or reef conservation in Israel.

Comparing Overseas Cargo Moving Companies

Comparing Overseas Cargo Moving Companies

Too many products are available in the market today. Too many companies are competing to be picked by the next customer who comes around. Because of this, people find that comparing products and services is a normal part of their lives. In this article we will talk about the various ways to compare overseas cargo moving companies.

As said before, comparing is a part of everyday life. Because of this, there are a lot of ways which a person can use to compare overseas cargo moving companies.

1) Direct Inquiry – Often information regarding various overseas cargo moving companies can be compared by doing the proper research. Thankfully enough, research today can actually be pretty easy. In this method, you can compare overseas cargo moving companies by making inquiries and getting the data direct from the companies themselves. This can be very inconvenient for you, but it does supply the most comprehensive information if you succeed.

2) Read Reviews – By reading reviews, you will be able to compare overseas cargo moving companies from the perspective of former customers. If you compare overseas cargo moving companies by reading reviews, you will be able to pinpoint the exact problems that customers have with a certain company. Reading reviews can be very helpful as this will tell you in a nutshell what to expect from the company. Reviews can vary in length, depending on the people writing them. Remember to try and filter out the useless stuff though, as some reviews can contain a lot of information which may be relevant for you.

3) Compare ratings – Ratings essentially show you the average opinion of people regarding a company. In this method, you can compare overseas cargo moving companies from other people’s perspectives. This method though, is much quicker than reading reviews since you can really tell what people think about a company with a single glance at the ratings. One disadvantage of this method to compare overseas cargo moving companies is the fact that it lacks specificity. Ratings do not really tell you what people find wrong with the company. So in case you find a company with a bad rating, you will know that you should not hire that company. However, you will not really be able to give a valid reason why.

4) Listen to other people – Sometimes, the information you need can be found within your neighborhood. Forget about the internet. Forget about the various technological methods of connecting with other people. Just look around you and find someone to talk to. Usually, very valuable advice can be obtained from a simple conversation. When you use this method to compare overseas cargo moving companies, you can be sure that you will be given a bit of wisdom by the people involved.

We often disregard the opinions of other people. However, you need to understand that you should never underestimate a source of information. The right piece of information in the right hands can be more explosive than an atomic bomb.

Remember that when you compare overseas cargo moving companies, you are taking the first step towards making a decision. If you compare overseas cargo moving companies, you show to the world that you have the capacity to make rational choices. And that, my friend, is an action that shows your humanity.

Money Safety Tips for Travelers

Money Safety Tips for Travelers

 

That little girl who came up to you in Rome looked so innocent -- until you realized that she was just distracting you while her father picked your pocket! Unfortunately, this type of petty crime is all too common around the world, especially in popular tourist areas. Whether they're fumbling through guidebooks or gawking at new sights, tourists are often unaware of their surroundings, making them easy prey for thieves. Luckily, a little bit of common

sense and preparation can go a long way toward keeping this from happening to you.

Where to Keep Your Valuables
The most important rule of the road is to make sure you keep your money, credit and debit cards, and passport in a money pouch all times while you're in transit. We don't recommend carrying anything valuable in a purse, which is too easily snatched, or a backpack, which can be opened without your noticing. Even a wallet kept in your front pocket can be taken by an experienced pickpocket.

Wearing a money pouch that can be concealed under your clothing is a must. Some pouches attach to your belt, while others are worn around the neck, waist or calf. These are particularly important if you're sleeping on a train, standing on a crowded subway or staying in a hotel that is not very secure. Choose one that is comfortable and practical for where you're traveling. You can buy money pouches at  travel stores.

Money pouches are certainly not the only way to avoid theft. There are key chains, belts and cases, all of which are available for less than $40.

Try not to carry all of your valuables in the same place. If you're traveling with a companion, make sure each of you has some cash and a credit card on hand in case you're split up or one of you is robbed. If you're alone, keep a backup credit or debit card in a separate pouch from the one you'll be using most often. Some travelers carry a dummy wallet stuffed with a few expired credit cards and a few bills to toss on the ground as a diversion when confronted by thieves.

While most valuables should be safely hidden away, you may want to keep a small amount of local currency in a separate pocket or pouch where it's easily accessible; that way you're not flashing your cash each time you want to make a small purchase.

Another good tip is to make two copies of your passport, driver's license, credit cards, ATM cards and any other important documents you might be carrying. Leave one copy at home with someone you can reach in an emergency. Keep the other set with you in a safe place separate from the originals. Another option is to scan your documents into a computer as a PDF file and e-mail it to yourself, allowing you access to your documents from wherever you have an Internet connection.

Safety at the ATM

Since your ATM card is a direct link to your financial savings, guard it at least as carefully as you would cash or other valuables. Visa offers these tips for ATM safety:

·  Make sure that no one waiting behind you can see you entering your PIN number.

·  Be sure to take your ATM receipt with you.

·  Be aware of your surroundings. If the machine is poorly lit, or is in a hidden area, use another location.

·  Don't count your cash or rummage through your personal items while standing at the ATM.

·  If you are using an indoor ATM that requires your card to open the door, avoid letting anyone come in with you that you do not know.

·  When using a drive-through ATM, lock your car doors. When walking up, never leave your car running or unlocked.

·  If you lose your ATM card, immediately contact the financial institution that issued it.


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