Now is the time to start applying for paid working holidays abroad. Work in the European Union is relatively easy to arrange. Obtaining a working visa elsewhere can be more difficult, which is why most travellers rely on one of the agencies in the UK to arrange it. Make sure you know how much they intend to charge.
Camp counsellors with Camp America
campamerica.co.uk
From $460 for nine weeks plus flights, food and accommodation (less £96 expenses).
Students can work for up to four months in the US (in certain jobs) and travel for 30 days afterwards. Workandtravelusa.net explains the process. Most students arrange their job and visa through Bunac (bunac.org.uk).
Grape pickers with Appellation Contrôlée
apcon.nl
Around £22 per day, less a £65 enrolment fee.
The grape picking season is short (around 10 days in September or October), hard and badly paid. ApCon can arrange fruit picking in France and Denmark, while Pickingjobs.com has opportunities in the US and Australia.
Bar staff at a PGL centre in France
pgl.co.uk/online/workingwithpgl
£60 per week plus uniform and food.
Dozens of other companies recruit catering staff, nannies, couriers and activity leaders, including Eurocamp and Keycamp (holidaybreakjobs.com), Neilson (neilson.com/Recruitment), the Specialist Holidays Group (shgjobs.co.uk), and Mark Warner (markwarner-recruitment.co.uk). Natives.co.uk is another useful address for the summer season.
English language camp counsellors in Austria and Germany
summerjobs4students.co.uk
200 euros per week plus accommodation.
Most au pair positions abroad last a minimum of six months, but if childcare in France appeals, try Accueil International (accueil-international.com/hten) and the (temporarily unavailable) afje-paris.org, which both organise shorter placements.
· Next week: unpaid working holidays abroad.
