AFAR Blog » new careers http://www.afar.com/blog AFAR Magazine's editors, writers, photographers share stories, recommendations, photos, and videos about experiential travel and international culture. Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:44:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 The Friendliest Place on Earth? http://www.afar.com/blog/2010/01/the-friendliest-place-on-earth/ http://www.afar.com/blog/2010/01/the-friendliest-place-on-earth/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:15:36 +0000 Jeremy Saum http://www.afar.com/blog/?p=1397 Malaysia: Home of world's tallest twin towers. And fifth-friendliest people?

Malaysia: Home of world's tallest twin towers. And fifth-friendliest people?

I recently got a press release that trumpeted, “Malaysia Ranks 5th Amongst World’s Friendliest Countries.”

The first thing that struck me was how un-American it was to tout being fifth at anything. When was the last time you heard a crowd chanting, “We’re number five! We’re number five!” But ranking fifth among all the countries in the world is pretty good, I’d say. So, go Malaysia!

Then I wondered how “friendliness” was determined. As a traveler, that’s an issue that’s always puzzled me. I’m always suspicious when people come back from a trip raving, “and the people were so friendly.” It’s hard to say this without sounding grumpy, but it bugs me for a couple reasons. First, it’s a stereotype, even if it’s a positive one. You wouldn’t say, “and the people were so ugly.” I’m betting that anywhere you go, there are friendly people and unfriendly people. Second, in many cases, we travelers deal with people who are supposed to be friendly. They work at hotels or restaurants or drive cabs or lead hiking trips. It’s in their interest to be friendly. But I am willing to admit that people in certain countries do give off a warmer vibe than those in other countries. Hence my puzzlement.

Turns out the release was referring to the Expat Explorer Survey conducted by the bank HSBC, which asks expatriates to rate their adopted countries on a range of quality-of-life issues. It’s got some interesting stuff in there. For instance, most expats say their quality of life is better than it would be in their home country. And that while half of expats in Thailand say that they have they found love, only 4 percent of expats in India or Qatar have.

And it turns out things get complicated on the friendliness front. Malaysia actually ranks fourth (not fifth) in “Making Friends” but 14th in “Making Local Friends.” So it’s a good place for expats to make friends with each other–and it’s the best place in the world for finding a school for your expat kids, apparently–but not as good for making friends with Malaysians. Brazil and South Africa are tops on the local friend front.

If you had to rank the friendliest places you’ve been, who wins? Why?

Photo by Ramil Sagun.

]]> http://www.afar.com/blog/2010/01/the-friendliest-place-on-earth/feed/ 16 Teach English and surf in Bali http://www.afar.com/blog/2009/12/teach-english-and-surf-in-bali/ http://www.afar.com/blog/2009/12/teach-english-and-surf-in-bali/#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:00:49 +0000 Jennica Peterson http://www.afar.com/blog/?p=1291 The volunteer program in Bali includes three surfing lessons.

The volunteer teaching program in Bali includes three surfing lessons.

Last Friday on WPIX-TV, Afar co-founder Joe Diaz recommended five trips that might inspire you to change your career. If you’ve ever considered becoming a teacher–or a professional surfer–check out this program in Bali:

Trip: “Surf and Teach English in Bali” volunteer program with i-to-i
Overview: On the tropical Indonesian island of Bali, you’ll teach English to kids at a public school where funding is not available to hire native English speakers. You’ll especially focus on practicing conversational skills using games, songs, and story-telling—not just a grammar book. You’ll also learn to surf on this island known for its waves.
Skills you’ll learn: How to teach English as a Second language through an online TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course and classroom practice; how to surf through three lessons included with the program.
Other highlights: Meeting mellow Balinese surfers while waiting for the next set of waves. Exploring the island’s beautiful beaches and green highlands
Price: from $1,299 for three weeks

Four other career-changing trips:

Photo by yummiec00kies

]]> http://www.afar.com/blog/2009/12/teach-english-and-surf-in-bali/feed/ 3 Help healthcare workers in Guatemala http://www.afar.com/blog/2009/12/help-healthcare-workers-in-guatemala/ http://www.afar.com/blog/2009/12/help-healthcare-workers-in-guatemala/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:00:59 +0000 Jennica Peterson http://www.afar.com/blog/?p=1286 Volunteer in Guatemala

Spend time with locals while assisting professional healthcare workers in Guatemala.

Travel can change how you view other cultures and also inspire you to make changes at home–even your career. On WPIX-TV, Afar co-founder Joe Diaz talked about five trips that might lead you to a new job. Here’s a program that introduces you to work in healthcare by volunteering in Guatemala:

Trip: Cross Cultural Solutions’ “Assisting Healthcare Professionals” volunteer opportunity in Guatemala
Overview: You’ll work alongside local healthcare professionals to support their work in hospitals, health clinics, and homes for the elderly in the Guatemalan city of Quetzaltenango. Your daily activities will depend on your Spanish language skills, background in healthcare, and the immediate needs of the organization, but anyone can take part.
Skills you’ll learn: How to promote important vaccinations for locals by accompanying nurses on vaccination campaigns; how to assist in daily routines for physical therapy; how to support long-term patients; how to speak Spanish through weekly classes.
Other highlights: Touring the nearby Mayan ruins. Soaking in the natural hot springs just outside the city.
Price: from $2,784 for two weeks

Four other career-changing trips:

Photo by DavidDennisPhotos.com

]]> http://www.afar.com/blog/2009/12/help-healthcare-workers-in-guatemala/feed/ 1 Live the life of an organic vintner in New Zealand http://www.afar.com/blog/2009/12/live-the-life-of-an-organic-vintner-in-new-zealand/ http://www.afar.com/blog/2009/12/live-the-life-of-an-organic-vintner-in-new-zealand/#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:00:54 +0000 Jennica Peterson http://www.afar.com/blog/?p=1264 Volunteer to work at a vineyard like this one in New Zealand

Volunteer to work at a vineyard like this one in New Zealand.

Last Friday on WPIX-TV, Afar co-founder Joe Diaz revealed five trips that might inspire you to change careers. Here’s one for travelers who want to get their hands dirty working outside, work beside locals who really know their land, and then end the day with a good glass of wine.

Trip: Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) in New Zealand
Overview: WWOOF is a world-wide network of organic farms that offers volunteers opportunities to learn about organic farming in exchange for free food and accommodation. There are openings on farms from Australia to Zambia. For example, on one of more than a thousand possibilities listed in New Zealand, you can learn about organic wine-making on a vineyard and farm in Hawke’s Bay.
Skills you’ll learn: How to naturally enrich the soil with compost and protect against pests to produce the best quality grapes; depending on the season, how to properly prune the vines or harvest the grapes; how to make wine; how to care for the family’s sheep and chickens.
Other highlights: Tasting the wine. Hiking to the nearby Tuki Tuki River. Staying in a private cottage overlooking the vineyards.
Price: Annual fee of $30 to view the WWOOF farm listings in New Zealand on the organization’s Website. The volunteering experience itself is free. Trips last from one day to an entire season.

Four other career-changing trips:

Photo by PhillipC

]]> http://www.afar.com/blog/2009/12/live-the-life-of-an-organic-vintner-in-new-zealand/feed/ 6 Learn to cook in Morocco http://www.afar.com/blog/2009/12/learn-to-cook-in-morocco/ http://www.afar.com/blog/2009/12/learn-to-cook-in-morocco/#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:00:16 +0000 Jennica Peterson http://www.afar.com/blog/?p=1220 You'll shop for spices in the souk on the International Kitchen's trip to Fes, Morocco

You'll shop for spices in the souk on the International Kitchen's trip to Fes, Morocco.

Thinking about a career change? On WPIX-TV, Afar co-founder Joe Diaz talks about five trips that might inspire you to work in a new field. After this trip in Morocco, you might pursue work as a chef:

Trip: International Kitchen’s “Feast for the Senses in Morocco” program
Overview: In the 1200-year-old Moroccan city of Fez, you’ll work with professional Moroccan chef Lahcen Beqqi to learn the essentials of the country’s cuisine.
Skills you’ll learn: How to choose the freshest ingredients at the market; how to combine spices such as dried ginger, cumin, cinnamon, and turmeric to create the distinct flavors of Moroccan cuisine; how to make traditional Moroccan dishes such as lamb tagine, couscous, and cornes de gazelles—crescent-shaped pastries filled with almond paste.
Other highlights: Visiting the tanneries and an auction of Fez’s famous soft leather. Sleeping in a renovated 14th-century palace in Fez’s medina.
Price: from $2,800 for a six-day trip

Four other career-changing trips:

    Photo courtesy of the International Kitchen

    ]]>     http://www.afar.com/blog/2009/12/learn-to-cook-in-morocco/feed/ 6     Work alongside marine biologists in Greece http://www.afar.com/blog/2009/12/work-alongside-marine-biologists-in-greece/ http://www.afar.com/blog/2009/12/work-alongside-marine-biologists-in-greece/#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:00:06 +0000 Jennica Peterson http://www.afar.com/blog/?p=1230 If you have a passion for the ocean, work alongside a marine biologist on a Tethys program in Greece.

    If you have a passion for the ocean, work alongside marine biologists with Tethys to research dolphins in Greece.

    On WPIX-TV, Afar co-founder Joe Diaz reveals five trips that might inspire you to change careers. If you love the ocean, join the Tethys Research Institute’s program in Greece (details below) to discover what it’s like to be a marine biologist. Check back on Afar’s blog every day this week for more career-changing trip ideas.

    Trip: Tethys Research Institute program in Greece
    Overview: The non-profit organization Tethys Research Institute has been studying whales and dolphins for more than 20 years. You’ll work with them in the Grecian Gulf of Corinth identify threats to the area’s short-beaked common dolphins and offer scientific support to conservation efforts.
    Skills you’ll learn: How to gather data about dolphin behavior and ecology during daily boat trips; how to track individual animals by photographing their dorsal fins; how to raise awareness in the community and work with local fishermen to protect the dolphins.
    Other highlights: Relax in a taverna in the village of Galaxidi, where the program is based. Visit the nearby ruins of Delphi.
    Price: from $908 for a six-day trip

    Photo courtesy of Tethys Research Institute

    Four other career-changing trips:

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