BE A PAID VOLUNTEER

If you’re less keen on swopping one job for another, numerous endeavours abroad are run by paid volunteers (www.volunteerforever. com). And a stint doing something not only useful but enriching could provide you the sort of life benefits and exposure that no office role ever could.

A paid volunteer typically works for room and board, plus the opportunity to do something useful against an incredible backdrop. Proceed with care, however: Ensure you’ve researched the organisation through independent reviews and critiques before you commit. At best, volunteering lets you assist in something like cleaning up beaches or helping local NGOs; at worst, you might cost someone local a full-time job.

In my 20s, having saved for three months as a bank filing clerk, I accepted a gig working with a small team of guest relations officers with luxe adventure specialists Tiger Tops in Nepal. This involved helping customers, typically from Britain, India or Europe, through daily routines of spotting tigers, rhinos and all manner of deer and birds; sharing the overall message of conservation; and at times, tending to guest quirks (such as remedying one Scotsman’s mortal fear of spiders by sharing in copious rounds of drinks). Cash payment was zero, but food (lavish) and board (a sweet tented camp) were provided for the “work” which, if I’m honest, was a labour of love. It was at times exhausting, especially the ultra-basic and frequently confounding travel across Nepal by bus. That said, I’d do it again without hesitation, as the confidence and people skills I gained were priceless.