Becoming an au pair is an excellent way to travel, as well as earn a little pocket money. One key advantage of being an au pair is that you have a host family organised before you arrive in the new country. The family also help you settle in. We’ve had many au pairs come live with us for a few months to learn English. It’s worked out very well for my family.

A good site to find an au pair or nanny job is http://www.search-aupair-family.info or indeed for families to find au pairs from around the world.
Paula

this is a seriously informative piece of writing. only i wished i had found it earlier, as i recently moved to europe and made basically all the mistakes that you mention.

although it came a bit late for me, i will definitely recommend your article to anyone i know planning to go to europe. great article!!!

What a fantastic and informative blog! You’ve laid out a clear guide on how to approach working in Europe, together with some sound advice.

I worked in Spain doing an internship last year and it was great fun – I’m dying to go back there at some point soon! In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to set up a social networking site for people who are interested in working abroad in Europe to meet people based in Europe who can help and offer them advice. You’re exactly the kind of person I’m looking to invite to join the group and share their experiences and advice with other members. If you could spare a moment to look at the site and sign up, I would be extremely grateful, the link is:

http://workineurope.ning.com.

You can post blogs, photos, videos and contribute to discussions on there, as well as chatting and adding friends!

Til then. I look forward to your next blog posting!
Samantha

Thanks so much for the kind words. Yup, finding a job and getting a work permit is a real challenge, but the relief and satisfaction you get from accomplishing is pretty great. Finding work is also a cool way to meet fellow travelers who will be doing the same, as well as locals who are always eager to help you out with information and even let you surf their couch (I heart couchsurfing.com).

Totally agree with getting a job ahead of time! I wish I had done that so that I wouldn’t have had to make a box of Muesli last a week and doing laundry in the tub! hahahhaha…but looking back, it was in its own way, kind of fun.

If you’re counting on working in the EU to pay for your trip, it’s probably better to line it up before you go or to have sufficient padding in case it doesn’t pan out. That time on the beach in Corfu was lovely, but I hope to not be that hungry again.

Great article and advice!