Five years on: How I moved abroad after college and built a career through travel

London 2012 stadium by Expat Edna

This week marks the five-year anniversary of my college graduation.

FIVE years! Well I. feel. old.

When I graduated from the Class of 2010, I was 20 years old, had $700 to my name — and zero clue what to do next.

This is the story of how in the five years since, I’ve lived in four countries, traveled to 24 (including 20 in one year), and covered two Olympics – all while holding steady jobs and building a career in media and communications.

***

Speedo Fastskin Racing System Clinic

(Testing out Olympic swimming technology. Photo courtesy Speedo)

Backing up: Why am I writing this?

One of my most popular posts is How I’ve Been Traveling Since Graduation. Written in 2012, I was just two years into my time abroad. I wanted to update readers on my moves since, and show that five years later I’m still going strong (and have no plans to stop!).

Sochi 2014 figure skating by Expat Edna

Figure skating, Sochi 2014

I’m also here to say once again, because I believe it more than ever:

You don’t have to quit your job to travel. You don’t have to slave away for years at a 9-5 you hate and sell all your earthly posessions before you can travel the world.

You don’t have to choose travel over a career.

You can have both.

So many bloggers say, “Go travel while you’re young!” and give general advice or tips, but there are fewer posts on how to move abroad after graduation, and fewer still showing how it’s really been done.

Again, this is not Why you should travel after graduation (there are endless blog posts and reasons that exist on the internet already). Nor is this a definitive guide to being a permanent traveler or long-term expat.

This is simply my personal story, to show that it CAN be done.

***

2010: Graduation + Singapore

(Note: the details of 2010-2012 have been written about in great length in the original. Below is an abridged version to save everyone time.)

Class of 2010 Graduation by Expat Edna

Graduation day with my college roommate

After graduating in May, I gave myself two weeks to organize legal papers, notify banks and credit cards, pack up my things — and I left the US for good.

But first, I spent five weeks in Shanghai, putting the job search on the back burner as I caught up with family and friends.

I had job offers in Shanghai, but I knew I couldn’t stay there: it was too comfortable and I would never leave.

In July, I bought a one-way ticket to Singapore.

Singapore YOG Closing Ceremony 2010 by Expat Edna

My volunteer team outside the YOG Closing Ceremony

A friend from college was living there, his company paid for his apartment — and he had a spare room. As a poor fresh grad, I was going where the free rent was.

I had $700 to my name and didn’t know a thing about the country. Embarassingly, I didn’t even know where it was on a map.

But I did some research and learned Singapore has a little-known Working Holiday Pass program. I applied online and was quickly granted a six-month working visa.

Unfortunately, I didn’t do enough research: Singapore is a tough market for entry-level foreigners. The one upside to unemployment was that it gave me a lot of free time – time I used to volunteer at the Singapore Youth Olympic Games. (IMPORTANT PLOT POINT.)

After six weeks I finally found an entry-level job open to foreigners — and I found it on Craigslist! It was the first job I applied for – and I got it. It wasn’t in the field I studied (politics), but it was in my field of interest (social media).

For the next nine months, I was the digital strategist for an Asian modeling reality television show.

Update: I worked in English — both in Singapore and in ALL my jobs for the past five years — I’ve received some comments that have made it necessary to clarify that English is one of the main languages in Singapore!

SMM premiere 2011 by Expat Edna

With two of the show’s models at the premiere

How I could afford to travel:

  • Shanghai: I saved on accommodation costs by crashing with friends and family. Food is incredibly cheap, and the preposterous number of ladies’ nights meant my evenings were usually covered, too.
  • Singapore: rent was free, as mentioned above. I went into Extremely Frugal Mode while job searching, but local food in Singapore is delicious and costs little (I would feed myself for $2-5/day).
  • During the YOG, meals and transportation were provided during shifts — as I was volunteering nearly every day, this helped me spend almost no money for three weeks.
  • Once I had a job: Singapore is an incredibly ideal travel base for exploring SE Asia, especially on weekends! It has numerous public holidays, close proximity to several countries, and competitive budget airlines.

***

2011: Singapore + China + Australia

2011 edit

In June 2011, I left the show. I was offered a real working visa to stay on for another season, but working with fashion and makeup brands wasn’t fulfilling enough to continue (though I’ll admit, partnering with Foursquare to create two badges was a job highlight).

I reached out to friends I’d made during the Youth Olympics, and one of them put me in touch with a press association launching a mentorship program for sports journalism students at the upcoming Universiade Games in Shenzhen, China.

Shenzhen 2011 Universiade by Expat Edna

22, a year out of college, working my first paid gig at an international sports event

The Association took a chance on me and I got the gig as project manager (again, working in English). Those three weeks in August launched a working partnership that would last another 2.5 years and build much of my travel and work experience in the field.

That chance meeting also led to my Paris chapter: the president of the association had casually mentioned that if only I spoke French, he would hire me. (It’s a huge advantage in international sports.)

So I decided I would move to France.

After Shenzhen wrapped, I had a couple months to spare before a scheduled flight home for Thanksgiving. I took my savings and traveled around Asia for two months, then headed back to Pennsylvania for three weeks.

Perth 2011 Team by Expat Edna

I spent December in Perth, Australia, volunteering on the digital team of the 2011 World Sailing Championships. I wasn’t paid, but I knew it was important to meet and work with the folks running media operations there.

How I could afford to travel:

  • Earnings from my television job and the contracted gig in Shenzhen.
  • Renegotiating rent with my roommates, which saved me a couple hundred dollars every month.
  • Taking advantage of cheap flights from Singapore (I once found a $47 roundtrip flight to Borneo and was there five days later!).
  • Three weeks at home = free food and a room!
  • Living in a hallway: Australia is expensive, so to save money my best friend Feakes’ family let me stay with them — but they didn’t have a spare room, so they set up a small bed in their upstairs hallway. Even then, Australia is expensive and I sunk a lot of money into my time there, but I saw it as an investment in my career and future.

***

2012: France, Year 1

With dreams of being fluent in French in my head, in November of 2011 I posted my CV to a few job websites in Francophone countries. My goal was to find a job that would pay the bills while also allowing me time to take French classes and benefit from French immersion.

Almost immediately, I received an offer from a woman in Paris who wanted to hire me as her son’s private English tutor.

We only had two weeks(!) to get through ALL THE RED TAPE and French bureaucracy, but it miraculously worked — I got my visa for France just hours before I boarded my flight to Perth.

French visa success by Expat Edna

On January 3 I flew from Sydney to Paris, and began the chapter that would be a turning point in my life.

It’s only in hindsight that I now see how unique my situation in Paris was and how lucky I was to have that job.

For 18 months, I was an English tutor. Each week I worked fewer than 20 hours and was paid 200 euro — all profit. My employers paid for my spacious apartment + utilities, Navigo (metro pass), phone bill, health insurance: any expenses I had, they covered it.

Edna's balcony in Paris by Expat Edna

My spacious studio in Paris even had a bathtub, oven, aaand this balcony

Not to mention, they took care of ALL of the visa paperwork and red tape (including spending 7 hours at the prefecture fighting on my behalf to renew my residency card). Which may have been the greatest gift of all.

In addition, because I worked on the French school schedule: I received two weeks paid vacation, every six weeks.

From this I managed to completely pay off my debts from bills and traveling from the past two years. In addition, I was able to take language classes (my employers also covered 50% of tuition) and learn French.

London 2012 Closing Ceremony

London 2012 Closing Ceremony

But perhaps most beneficial: my employers understood my Olympic dreams.

I was upfront with them in the interview stages that my sports career would always come first. (I also told this to anyone I started dating.)

So when The Association offered me a chance to cover the London 2012 Olympic Games, I was able to go.

When the Association wanted me in Azerbaijan for a month as project manager – just three weeks after I’d returned from a month in London — my employers in Paris let me find a temporary replacement, and I went to Baku.

Baku 2012 by Expat Edna

Final match of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup

I don’t know that I would have been able to progress so far in my career without the understanding and financial support of these employers. Looking back on my career path they are unexpectedly two of the people I am most grateful to, and always will be.

How I could afford to travel:

  • I actually didn’t travel that much in 2012: Outside of work trips, I stayed in Paris the entire year (and even then I rarely went out and spent most nights at home, working on this blog).
  • The cost of moving from Sydney to Paris was paid in miles — my United credit card had come with a 50,000 miles signing bonus, and I posted it all to a SYD-CDG flight.
  • Once in Paris, I had a steady paycheck and my living expenses paid for, and two weeks paid vacation every six weeks.
  • While I covered my own expenses during London 2012, it ultimately didn’t cost that much because:
    • accredited media received free public transportation during the Games
    • I spent all five weeks sleeping on a friend’s couch, to avoid paying exorbitant hotel costs
    • the Olympics are so intense, there’s barely any free time to spend money anyway.
  • As a contractor my expenses were covered in Azerbaijan, and I was paid for my month of work there.

***

2013: France + Italy

2013 edit

Though I’d signed a 12-month contract in Paris, things were running so smoothly I was offered a six-month extension, until the end of the school year (after which the student was moving to London).

During the same period, The Association — after nearly two years of working with them as a freelance editor and project manager — offered me a full time position at headquarters, located in Italy. However, I didn’t want to suddenly ditch the Paris employers who had been so kind and understanding for the past year.

After much agonizing, I said no to Italy.

Six months later, when my Paris contract was finishing up, The Association offered me the position again. This time I accepted, with a start date in September.

Update: I wasn’t hired for my French, as my level was purely conversational at that point. I was brought on in the end for my English proficiency.

Buttes Chaumont, Paris by Expat Edna

I spent that summer soaking up funemployment in Paris, while also traveling to Belgium, Madrid, and London twice – it was the best summer I’ve had yet. However, this meant I blew through almost every penny I’d saved after clearing off my debt months earlier (I have a job lined up! I’ll be fine! I irresponsibly thought.)

At the end of August, I moved all my boxes to Italy, via a two-day roadtrip through France and Switzerland.

However, things quickly went downhill in Italy. The town wasn’t for me and there were so many politics involved. It was an intensely dark period, and the only anti-depressant I found came in the form of travel — usually weekends back in Paris — taken twice monthly, with many glasses of wine.

Expat Edna in Milan by Waegook Tom

Wandering Milan. (photo courtesy Tom)

After spending three weeks in Dubai on a last-minute project that helped buoy my spirits, my boss and I came to an agreement. He knew I was unhappy and it was better for everyone involved if I left Italy and resumed working remotely.

I immediately went home and packed my bags. The next day I was on a bus back to Paris for Thanksgiving, ready to embark on a nomadic adventure.

Coincidentally, earlier in the year my boyfriend had quit his job and sold all of his belongings to live out of a 65L backpack and travel indefinitely. Because his start date of December 1 coincided perfectly with my newfound nomadism, I decided to join him on his itinerary.

That’s how I found myself spending the next five weeks backpacking through England, Scotland, and Ireland. I capped the most whirlwind year of my life by ringing in the new year in Reykjavik, Iceland.

New Year's 2014, Reykjavik by Expat Edna

How I could afford to travel:

  • For the first six months in Paris: steady paycheck, covered expenses, and two weeks paid vacation every six weeks.
  • During the summer: relied on savings.
  • While in Italy: work covered monthly housing and my trip to Dubai; afterwards, I was working remotely and paid for my travels via paychecks + the rest of my savings.
  • My weekends back to Paris usually cost around $200, most of which was flight and transportation costs, as I was able to stay with friends.

***

2014: Europe + Return to Shanghai

Edna in Sochi by Expat Edna

At the start of 2014 I covered my second Olympics, the Winter Games in Sochi. After the Games, the Association and I had a mutual, amicable split. It was tough to leave an industry I love, and possibly close the door on my dream career, but it was the right choice given the circumstances.

Newly funemployed (again), I decided to continue backpacking for another six weeks, from Venice to Paris through Belgium onto Amsterdam.

From Amsterdam we flew to Singapore, the purpose of which was two-fold: my boyfriend had never been to Asia and I wanted to show him my favorite places on the continent — and I had decided that from here on, even if he kept on traveling, I would stay in the region and look for a job.

As much as I wanted to stay in Europe, the visa situation as a US citizen was making it too difficult, and I had to go where the (more attainable) work visas were: Asia.

Shanghai by night from Hotel Indigo by Expat Edna

By chance, at the same time an old American friend and start-up colleague from my 2009 Shanghai days announced that his company was hiring. I figured I’d send him my CV, just in case — I had nothing to lose, why not?

In Singapore, I skyped the hiring manager. In Penang, I sent writing samples. In Bangkok, I received the job offer — on the condition I start immediately in China the following week. All in all the process of my ‘job hunt’, from sending in my CV to getting the job offer, took 10 days.

Thus in April I began my first-ever corporate job, working (again, completely in English) for Ford on their Asia Pacific regional communications team, headquartered in Shanghai.

New office, Shanghai by Expat Edna

Shanghai’s skyline from the office

How I could afford to travel:

  • January through April: my final paychecks + the last of my savings.
  • After moving to Shanghai: in addition to the holiday allowance in my contract, China has numerous public holidays — including a full week in October and a full week for Chinese New Year, plus three-day weekends spread throughout the year for various Chinese holidays.

From this, in one year I was able to travel at least 1-2 times a month – including ten days in Australia, ten days in Venice and Paris, and two separate week-long trips back to the US – all without taking any unpaid days off work.

***

2015: Shanghai + Everywhere!

Speaking at the Beijing Lit Fest (photo courtesy Jocelyn)

Speaking at the Beijing Lit Fest (photo courtesy Jocelyn)

And this is where I find myself now. I recently passed my one-year mark in Shanghai, and it’s been an eye-opening experience, this corporate life. I don’t plan on being here forever, and of course I’d like to return to sports in the near future (there was never a doubt I’d return to it one day).

But the fact is that just five years after graduation, at 25 years old, I’ve already had a whirlwind career spanning the globe. I have savings in the bank, I have zero debt, and I’ve been able to travel both near and far on a regular basis.

Here’s to moving abroad, and here’s to the next five years.

(Update: Surprise — I quit my job to travel! Here’s where I plan on traveling in 2015 and into 2016.)

***

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26 Comments

  • Reply
    Darci
    May 19, 2015 at 20:34

    Hi Edna! Long time reader, (I think) first time commenter! Thanks so much for writing this post. I always wonder how people manage to travel like this! I studied abroad in 2012 and the visa process in the UK was miserable. But I was hell-bent on volunteering for London 2012 so, y’know, you make it work. :) Anyway, I too work in communications and have that Olympic dream, and I’ve been looking for a way to get back overseas. Would you be able to give me some more info on the press association you worked for? Or any other paths I might be able to take? Like you mentioned, as an American citizen, I’m feeling kind of stuck. Thanks so much! :)

  • Reply
    Heather Nicell
    May 19, 2015 at 21:24

    I’ve always loved your blog Edna! It’s so honest and real. I admire your determination and ambition… It’s also nice to see how you have ‘developed’ as a person throughout the years just from reading your posts :) Really hope to have the same opportunities once I graduate – this post has motivated me to finish my uni assignment due in the morning… ps: It’s so random that you love Ireland and GAA haha… I’m from Ireland and I’ve never even played… You’re putting me to shame!

  • Reply
    Katharina
    May 19, 2015 at 23:11

    I’m so SO glad to find other people who know and appreciate that travel and career can actually go hand in hand!

    I am well aware that, if I hadn’t taken the leap of faith back in 2009 (when I was just graduating from my Masters) to take a job offer in french-speaking Switzerland, I would probably not have gotten as far ahead as I am now (specially considering how the Spanish job market was back then!). It’s amazing how one crazy opportunity leads us onto the next and the next, isn’t it? And even if things go wrong (which they do! I can totally relate to you with the feeling you had in Italy) – we learn to move forward and look for the next.

    I think one of the best advantages of creating an international career is that we become extremely flexible and are able to generate an impressive network of contacts that will support us no matter what! Back in 2012, my temporary contract is London was running out and I contacted friends (and friends of friends!) to see whether they had heard of any opening. Literally 3 weeks later, I was boarding a flight to Barcelona to work on the World Swimming Championships!

    Anyway, cheers to your amazing career and travels so far – and cheers as well to all those opportunities and new “homes” that are yet to come!

  • Reply
    ChinaMatt
    May 20, 2015 at 02:28

    Think I’m more jealous of the jobs you’ve found along the way. I really want a new editing job abroad (I keep getting offered poverty-level jobs). Here’s to more successful and happy years abroad for both of us!

  • Reply
    Ceri
    May 20, 2015 at 02:59

    You’ve had a hell of a post-grad career, Edna. My first 3 years after graduating were spent in between crappy retail/call centre jobs, struggling for money and full of debt. It wasn’t until the end of that 3rd year, I finally gathered together enough money to buy a plane ticket. And I totally agree with what you say about being able to work and travel.

    I know people don’t take ESL/EFL seriously but through teaching abroad I’ve discovered something I’m good and all the career opportunities that come with it. And I get to live in a foreign country while I explore those options. :)

    Can’t wait to see what life brings for you in the next 5, Edna. :D

  • Reply
    marghini
    May 20, 2015 at 03:38

    Fascinating post. You certainly are a brave girl with a strong sense of adventure Edna!

    I would like to add/ argue one thing though: working abroad does not necessarily mean you are not leading a boring 9-5 lifestyle. Of course you Edna were smart and picked a career that allows you to live abroad AND travel at the same time. But finding a job abroad can very well lead to the same boring and monotonous lifestyle you would have back home.

    Right now I am about to finish a one-year contract in Taiwan and I swear I’ve never been more bored and dull in my whole life. A real soul-sucking experience.

    My bottom line is: go abroad to find a job people, but make sure it is a job that will give you the lifestyle you want!

  • Reply
    Alex, Speaking Denglish
    May 20, 2015 at 11:01

    You, Miss Edna, are 100 percent an inspiration! Thanks for sharing the whole story.

  • Reply
    Jenna
    May 20, 2015 at 17:15

    Edna, this is incredible. It’s admirable, inspiring, and incredibly brave. Congratulations on your success!

  • Reply
    Louise
    May 20, 2015 at 17:52

    I love you and your life <3

  • Reply
    Steph (@ 20 Years Hence)
    May 22, 2015 at 15:29

    Dude, if you’re old, then I’m ancient: My TEN YEAR university reunion is this month!!! :P

  • Reply
    Cynthia
    May 23, 2015 at 12:21

    Wow, so insightful and interesting to finally hear your whole story! All about taking those opportunities.

  • Reply
    Rebekah
    May 28, 2015 at 14:53

    This is really interesting- you’re right that many people feel they have to give up their careers in order to travel but its always interesting to hear how some people manage to do it

  • Reply
    Katrina the Two Week Traveler
    May 28, 2015 at 16:41

    Wow that is incredible! You’ve had such a great life so far! I’ve always regretted leaving the journalism/communications program I was in and getting a useless degree, and now I regret that more. I have always wondered how to get corporate jobs in Asia, and now I see how you did it! Are there jobs over there that do not require specific degrees like communications?

  • Reply
    Eunice
    May 28, 2015 at 17:43

    This article makes me wanna work even harder ! Thank youu

  • Reply
    Sima
    May 28, 2015 at 20:40

    This is really inspiring for me. I’m going to Spain for the second time to live and I’m hoping I can find a job in Asia after. I hope I can have as much luck as you and work as hard as you did to get where you are.

  • Reply
    Kelli
    May 28, 2015 at 21:23

    Usually I tend to think people who talk about being world travelers are a little pretentious. Your blog is super approachable and down-to-Earth and actually makes me want to go on adventures – and believe that I can! You seem very authentic – never lose that! Enjoy your travels :)

  • Reply
    Todd @ Visit50
    May 29, 2015 at 04:29

    This is incredible. Thanks so much for sharing you journey and adventure. Great post – you’ve also inspired me to elaborate on my story on Visit50.com. I took a half year to go traveling around SE Asia and then got back to my career (also in media).

    I just shared your post with a few dozen friends and will be promoting through social media channels. Loved it – thanks for sharing!

  • Reply
    Francesca @onegrloneworld
    May 29, 2015 at 05:36

    Our paths are so similar! Mine was just 100% in Europe :) If it wasn’t for the pesky visa situation, I’d probably make a more permanent move. Maybe one day! Funny how one thing always leads to another… they say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step ;)

  • Reply
    Nicole (Cuckoolemon)
    May 29, 2015 at 19:41

    This is terrific. You made the dream come true.

  • Reply
    Caroline Achieng Otieno
    May 29, 2015 at 22:40

    Though I am no longer 25, I hope I can do something like this in the near future. The travel+work combo is what most of us travelers aim for I guess!

  • Reply
    Juni
    May 30, 2015 at 19:06

    First-time reader & I’m now hooked. Especially as someone who also wants to work in the media (film) but not give up on travelling just yet. I’m now 18 months & 12 extra countries into an originally 3 months planned trip to Nicaragua, and you’re so right, it’s crazy how much things can change in such little time!
    Honest & real (it’s not always sunshine & roses), i’m so impressed & inspired by your journey, i can’t wait to read more!

    P.S I was also at London 2012 working with the OBC, it’s cool to think our paths may have crossed :p

  • Reply
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    Jason
    June 4, 2015 at 06:21

    Long-time reader, first-time commenter! This is absolutely great and totally inspiring. Makes me want to figure out a way to incorporate even more traveling into my life. Keep it up!

  • Reply
    Taylor
    June 5, 2015 at 15:10

    Must be awesome to travel the world like that! I wish I can move abroad and start a new chapter in my life so my best bet so far is that proper preparation prevents failure! Wish you all the best and perhaps our roads will cross some day!

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  • Reply
    Hime
    January 14, 2017 at 18:35

    First time reader! I’m so amazed and inspired by your story. It gave me hope for my future. You see, I’m 22 years old and I will graduate from English Literature in 2 years. I want to work and live abroad, but my family plans to put me into a “stable career” (one of those 9 to 5 jobs) as soon as I graduate. When that time comes, I will look for jobs that will let me travel at the same time. Thanks a lot! :)

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