Travel Tips
The Ultimate New Zealand Working Holiday Guide
Mike Haycock
Summer Jobs Abroad
Meaningful jobs for a summer of a lifetime.
Take ‘work hard, play hard’ to a whole new level this summer.
View our programs ↓Summer Jobs Abroad Overview
Travel Level
Beginner
Job Examples
Summer Camp, Hospitality
Destinations
Worldwide
Age Range
18+
Summer Jobs Abroad Guide
Summer jobs abroad offer chances to explore new destinations during the sunniest months, supplementing sea and sand with friendships and experiences.
These roles are perfect for those seeking a change of scenery, whether students on summer break from university or even those looking at getting away from your standard 9-5. Whoever you may be, summer jobs abroad are the perfect vehicle for change.
These summer opportunities embody 'work hard, play hard'. You'll face challenges in your role, whether at summer camps, in hospitality roles, or teaching English in classrooms. But each challenge overcome will make the incredible, life-changing experiences even sweeter, and your impact will last long beyond when the summer sun sets.
Can I stay longer than just the summer?
Certain visas will only allow you to work for your contract length, so speak to the relevant team for more info. However, should you go on a working holiday visa or the IEC in Canada, these will allow you longer stays of 12 months or more, meaning you can do an entire year at a destination.
Which countries are the best for summer jobs abroad?
What types of summer jobs abroad can I get?
The summer jobs abroad depend on your background. Summer camp starts in the summer, so there are countless summer jobs overseas for activity specialists and counsellors. Hospitality jobs are also everywhere for those who want to work at resorts in the summer, so the choice is yours.
Where can I get summer jobs overseas?
Summer jobs overseas get advertised a lot from the start of the year as destinations begin recruiting ahead of the season. As children go on school break or the weather gets nicer, there’s a huge demand for summer camp staff globally, so you’ll never be short of new destinations to try.
Camp Laundry Staff
Keep camp life fresh and comfortable by taking charge of laundry!
In a laundry role at a summer camp, you’ll handle washing, drying, and organizing clothes, bedding, and linens to ensure everything stays clean and ready for action. Your efforts will help campers and staff feel prepared and at ease throughout their adventures.
This role is perfect if you enjoy keeping things organized, prefer working independently, and take satisfaction in helping others. It’s a great way to build a strong work ethic, support the camp community, and play an essential role behind the scenes.
Camp Cleaning Staff
This is a unique way to Experience summer camp while creating a clean and welcoming space for campers!
As part of the cleaning team at a summer camp, you'll ensure cabins, bathrooms, and common areas are spotless and well-maintained. Your work will be essential in providing a safe, hygienic, and comfortable environment for everyone at camp.
This role is ideal if you enjoy keeping spaces in top shape, prefer working independently, and take pride in helping others feel at ease. It’s a fantastic way to sharpen your attention to detail, contribute to the camp community, and play a vital part in delivering an unforgettable camp experience.
Camp Kitchen Staff
Whip up delicious meals and elevate the camp's dining experience!
In a general kitchen role at a summer camp, you'll help with everything from meal prep and cooking to serving food and keeping the kitchen spotless and organized. You'll play a vital role in ensuring campers and staff are well-fed and happy while keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes.
This role is perfect if you enjoy working with food, thrive in a team setting, and are ready to take on a variety of kitchen tasks. It’s a fantastic way to sharpen your culinary skills, gain valuable experience, and be an essential part of the camp's daily buzz.
Camp Maintenance Staff
Be the backbone of camp life—keeping everything safe, functional, and adventure-ready!
As a maintenance team member at a summer camp, you'll ensure the campgrounds and facilities are in excellent condition. From tackling repairs and general upkeep to ensuring safety and functionality, you'll play a crucial role in creating a smooth and enjoyable experience for campers and staff alike.
This role is ideal if you enjoy hands-on work, have a knack for fixing things, and take pride in keeping everything running like clockwork. It’s a fantastic way to stay active, gain practical skills, and become an indispensable part of the camp community.
Camp Office Administrator
Boost your CV while thriving in a fun and energetic environment!
As an office administrator at a summer camp, you'll play a key role in ensuring the camp runs seamlessly. From managing schedules and coordinating events to liaising with staff and parents, you'll be at the heart of the camp's daily operations. Staying organised and keeping everything on track will be your superpower!
This role is perfect if you love multitasking, solving problems, and making a meaningful impact behind the scenes. It’s a fantastic opportunity to develop valuable skills, enhance your resume, and immerse yourself in an exciting, activity-packed setting.
Language Assistant
A role as a language assistant is ideal for anyone who is interested in getting involved with classroom work overseas. As a language assistant, your job would be to assist the main language teacher in the classroom, offering support to them, getting involved with conversation practice with the students and taking lead with cultural exchange learning. Qualifications for language teaching depends on the program you go through to secure the work.
Fruit Picking Jobs
A popular choice among backpackers seeking seasonal work in sunny locations, fruit picking is an excellent choice for those who love to work in outdoors locations. Australia and New Zealand are two countries that are ideal for those wanting to get involved with this type of work.
Lifeguard
The job of a lifeguard is responsible, but mainly a simple and fun job, through which you have a unique chance to get to know the USA.
The content of your work will be to ensure the safety of visitors to the pool assigned to you. Keeping the pool itself and its surroundings clean is a matter of course.
It also includes a course of the American Red Cross, so thanks to the program you will gain experience and knowledge that you will use in the future.
Even before the interview and the course itself, you will complete a preliminary exam so that you know that you will be able to complete the course 100% and that the summer in the USA is very close.
The pools are mainly located on the east coast in the states of Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia.
General Camp Counselor
If you’re the type who can help out in a variety of ways, you’ll make a great General Counselor.
You’ll get to take part in all the fun camp activities, and experience something new every day.
You’ll be a role model for your small group of campers, and you’ll be the person they’ll turn to if they need help.
You can make a big impact on your group because you’ll be with them day in and day out. You’ll get to watch them grow over the summer, which makes this a truly rewarding role.
Qualifications: No qualifications are needed for this role.
Summer Jobs Abroad Roles
FAQS
Where can I work in the summer?
Where do you want you want your summer work to be?!
We have programmes across the world, including America, Canada and China, but the decision is yours.
Would you like to have the famous American summer camp experience and make an incredible impact on children and young adults from around the world?
How about a summer camp job abroad with Camp Canada, where you'll work out in nature amongst some of the most breathtaking landscapes you've ever seen?
Or travel with Adventure China and immerse yourself in a summer camp job which blends a country's rich history with an incredible environment for one of the most unique summers possible?
If you've already done the summer camp experience and are looking for something different, we also have summer work job opportunities in teaching English abroad, or even hospitality work at 5 star resorts across America.
The world is quite literally your oyster!
When should I look for a summer job?
Preparation is key when it comes to securing a summer job abroad.
Although most of our programmes will still have some spaces left just as the season starts, most of the sought-after summer work jobs will be filled early.
All programmes are now accepting applicants so there's no time like the present to get started. It's also super important to allow yourself time to prepare everything else that you require, from visas to criminal background checks.
We're here to help you through the entire process, so you can focus solely on making a positive impression and look forward to your upcoming summer work abroad.
How can I get a summer job?
Simple - create an application to the program you're interested in, and fill in your profile with the activities and hobbies you love!
Summer jobs are available for those who want to do something they love.
Regardless of your qualification level within that field, people with the right can-do attitude and positive energy to their work will ensure kids have the best summer possible.
This is why summer camps are happy to train the right applicants up in their chosen roles!
So don't be afraid to shout about your chosen hobby from the rooftops and we'll help ensure you get your dream summer job abroad.
What is a summer job?
A summer job is your gateway to taking control and making sure you have the summer of a lifetime.
Running from approximately the start of June through to the middle/end of August, summer work abroad changes your mindset from "what if" to "what now?".
There are a variety of different destinations and a variety of different summer work roles within each, with many roles available through summer camp. Any sort of hobby is embraced and there will be a summer work role for. Rock climbing, drama production, arts and crafts and football are just a tiny number of potential summer work abroad opportunities available to you at summer camp.
Whether summer camp, volunteering, au-pairing or teaching English abroad, the opportunity to do what you love as a summer job abroad is waiting, you've just got to take it!
