My Time Working Abroad
So first things first, work sucks! Especially when you have to work weekends (retail, hospitality, etc.).
So, what if you could pick your life up and move to Europe? Would you?
Four summers ago I decided that’s exactly what I was going to do! I applied for a job as a tour guide in Italy.
I would promote for the company during the week, handing out fliers, talking to students abroad and going out to bars/clubs trying to meet even more potential students to sell the trips too.
Dream job?
It was the best summer ever to say the least. I had amazing roommates, the company I worked for paid for the apartment, I met so many cool people, some that I will be friends with forever. I got to see sights that were so beautiful. I got to travel every weekend visiting, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Croatia. I got to stay in hostels with six people to a room and it was actually SO much fun. I got to live carefree.
I wondered, why doesn’t everyone do this?
To be honest, I learned very quickly that you do not make that much money doing promotions. In order to make any sales at all you have to be working around the clock. That means waking up at 8am so you can start standing outside the Universities trying to catch students on there way to class. Handing out fliers all day and when getting home you have to go on social media to post on Facebook or join study abroad groups. The company expected way too many sales than were even possible. Its all commission based too so there is no extra income. I will say for being a marketing student, this was great experience. Although you do not have to pay rent monthly or for your weekend travels, living in Rome did not come cheap!
The amazing food. Drinks. Sights to see.
So the realization of working abroad I believe is really for the experience. As long as you go into it with enough money to support yourself for a little while, you’ll be fine. My outlook on the world has changed, for the better, after that summer abroad.
Would I trade this experience for anything?
