Careful preparation for your move abroad for a whole year will need careful and extensive planning.  Which possessions should you sell?  Which possessions should go into “temporary storage” and which should be simply given away?  The best idea is to sort methodically through your possessions labelling each box or item with a sticker saying “Donate”, “Store” or “Take”.  Once this has been done you could turn the whole project over to your friendly Shipping Company who can complete the rest of the moving process for you.

When choosing your Shipping Company, it’s vital to ascertain whether they offer the services that you require for all sections of your move abroad.  Even if you’re only living abroad for a year, things should not be lost or broken unnecessarily.  Be sure you get a crack team of professionals on your side by obtaining a good number of quotes from reputable shipping companies in ample time to give you the most choice possible before your move.

From working with dolphins to chocolate making, a working holiday may change your life forever.  It’s important to decide whether payment for your work is crucial or whether you will work for expenses.  For example, if you choose to work as a crew member on a yacht – despite needing relevant sailing experience of course – you will possibly work for cabin, board and the trip itself.  Conservation work in, maybe the Seychelles or Nepal may be on a volunteer basis.  You would not necessarily lose money, but you may not earn anything either.  It will be the satisfaction of having “made a difference” that will be reward itself.  If that’s not how you feel though, you may need to explore the possibilities of paid work abroad.

Seasonal work, such as fruit picking, teaching English, working at a Ski Lodge or in a restaurant or bar can help keep the coffers topped up – whatever age you are.  It’s really the attitude you have to your working holiday that’s important.  If you’re ready to embrace new experiences and see only the positive, you can reap the richest of rewards!

Research online concludes that, if you can supply satisfactory personal references and go through a reasonable amount of discussion and interview (possibly via your webcam) then you might clinch the experience of a lifetime!

From the point of view of the owners of the property, they will gain the peace of mind that their home or even business is in safe hands which will limit the possibility of burglary.  If storm or natural disaster were to happen while they’re away, someone would be present in situ to defend the property and look after the needs of any pets.  This arrangement would also mean pets could stay in their home and the owners would avoid costly boarding fees.

To the Sitter it may look like bread buttered with jam on both sides, especially if you can find a villa in Tuscany or a bed and breakfast business in Italy that needs tending.  You might be able to find a position for up to three months or more and, after initial worries about how the appliances work or whether you’ve just broken a favourite vase, the possibilities of exploring a new area over an extended length of time are surely too good to be overlooked?

If you fancy using your annual leave in a new and creative way, then you could do worse than to hit the vineyards of France to learn more of the language, make new friends and earn some extra cash.  You don’t need a residency permit for the work so there’s not a lot of red tape to negotiate.  The country needs a hundred thousand pickers every single year during harvest time – even if it’s only for about one month of the year.  You’ll be provided with all your food during the working day, but you may need to think about putting yourself up at a nearby campsite, as not many French employers provide accommodation.

That said, it could be part of your holiday experience to camp in the fields of France and relax by their onsite facilities during free time!  The amount of remuneration you can expect for this work is not high.  You’re not coming home loaded.  The work might even pay below the national minimum wage, but if you’re open minded and out for a fun experience that may not matter to you.

It’s a job that has survived automation.  Many vineyards still prefer to employ people rather than machines.  They believe the wine that results from such picking will be all the better for that “human touch”.

The work may well have to be voluntary, but that doesn’t mean your basic living expenses won’t be met – or that you won’t be provided with food on your working days.  If you are volunteering your services for free you can possibly choose from an extraordinary range of animal experiences.  These would include working with dolphins in the wild, nursing sick creatures, walking dogs, caring for horses or donkeys at a sanctuary, looking after orphaned fox cubs or monitoring turtles.

In the UK you might like to spend your working holiday caring for sick hedgehogs and badgers or volunteer assistance at a local cat or dog home.  If you’re an animal lover, but not so confident about getting “hands on” with the creatures, many places welcome help with their fund raising activities and special campaigns.  This can actually become a paid position should you enjoy it and you could spend your weekends “facing up” to the public on your local high street.

Whatever you choose when working with animals in the UK, you’ll be welcomed for short or more extended periods as a much needed and appreciated member of the team.