My partner and I, both in our thirties, want to make a huge move away
from the rat race that is normal life and perhaps look to another
country. We can't afford to do voluntary work as we have no savings
and still need to earn.We are happy to rent out our mortgaged house in
our absence whilst we are finding this new life.  My partner is a
manual worker and I am a PA.  Does anyone have any ideas or advice or
know of any Organisations that we could contact who might be able to
help us?

---

Request for Question Clarification by czh-ga on 14 Nov 2006 14:46 PST

Hello shatzi-ga,

When you say "perhaps look to another country" which country are you
planning to leave? Do you have any geographic limits? How long do you
want to go for? How much spending money do you have for this project?
Thanks.

~ czh ~

---

Clarification of Question by shatzi-ga on 15 Nov 2006 05:11 PST

Hi there 
We are currently living in the UK.
For clarification as I mentioned we do not have any savings therefore
unfortunately the amount of disposable funds are not very high. 
Although any feedback is welcome even if it would require collateral
to do as sometimes if there is a will there is a way!!
Thanks
Shatzi-ga

Dear Shatzi, 

First of all, you should know that immigration is not easy and would
demand energies (and funds) in any case. Even if a miracle would
happen and you'd find a great job or source of income right away.

Here are several ideas for you: 

Moving to Another Country, but Working in the UK
================================================

The concept of telework, which might be possible for you as a PA (less
for him as a manual worker), is something that could be used to shape
a flexible working day. If you live a in country which is much cheaper
than the UK (i.e., Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia - to name only few that are
also EU memebrs, so moving there would not be a problem), you can live
well off, and your working hours must not be so extensive as in the
UK.

The Telework Association
<http://www.tca.org.uk/> 

The Teleworker's Website
<http://members.aol.com/telwebsite/> 

Yahoo! Directory - Telework
<http://uk.dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Issues_and_Causes/Employment_and_Workplace_Issues/Telecommuting/>

Job Offers
<http://www.teleworkwhere.com/default.asp?w=14> 


Take a Grownups' Gap-Year
=========================

You might be familiar with the concept of gap-year before college, or
just after it. However, this kind of oppostunities exist also for
older people. This can give you the opportunity to try something else,
or find a job - still as a PA, but something that you'd be motivated
to do.

On GapYearJobs.co.uk you can define what is the minimum salary you're
willing to have, and the field. Jobs exist internationally as well as
in the UK:
GapYearJobs
<http://www.gapyearjobs.co.uk/> 

Gap Jobs
<http://www.gapwork.com/employment> - similar site

GapYear.com Jobs
<http://www.gapyear.com/jobs/> 

Gap Year for Grownups
<http://www.gapyearforgrownups.co.uk/?source=google> 
offers mostly volunteer opportunities, and functions more like a
travelling agency. However, this just goes to show you that you are
not alone.

In this context, I feel that I would betray you if I wouldn't tell you
about the desperate need in many countries for English teachers. In
some countries you can find a job based on being a native-speaker, in
others they demand a degree or training course. You can learn more
about teaching English abroad by going to the following site, or just
Googling terms such as ESL, TESL, TEFL, TESOL:

Dave's ESL Cafe
<http://www.eslcafe.com/> 


Further Resources
=================

Working Overseas
<http://www.careers.ed.ac.uk/students/Job-hunting/WorkingOverseas/WorkingOverseas.htm>

British expats
<http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=73> 

Work Abroad BUNAC
<http://www.bunac.org/uk/> 

British Red Cross Jobs Overseas
<http://www.redcross.org.uk/standard.asp?id=67> 

I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it.

Hi,
A similar question brought comments to the effect that one seldom can
escape one's attitude towards life.  Going somewhere else won't, of
itself, change that, maybe finding a calling close to one's heart
could, however.
Finding life to be a rat race is an attitude, perhaps a justified, if
one is dissatisfied with what one is doing.
The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence, but
when one is then there, one sees the weeds.