Organizations: for catering, hospitality and entertainment abroad

What is working at a campsite abroad like?

• At a campsite, you are immersed in everyday life at wonderful vacation spots. No rigid office, but sand between your toes, the scent of pine in the morning, and campers cycling, walking, and driving back and forth.
• The work is varied and often practical, with plenty of contact with guests and colleagues from all over the world.
• Responsibilities depend on the season, the type of campsite, and the country, and can include:
  • Maintenance and upkeep such as mowing the lawn, minor repairs, cleaning restrooms, grounds maintenance, chopping wood, or preparing tent pitches.
  • Cleaning toilets, showers, kitchens, cabins, glamping tents, and sometimes campers.
  • Checking in and out, processing bookings, answering questions, providing tourist tips, and taking calls at reception.
  • Working in a campsite shop, snack bar, bar, or restaurant.
  • Supervising entertainment and activities such as sports tournaments, children's activities, campfires, quiz nights, or outdoor activities.
  • All-round campsite work with a bit of everything: cleaning in the morning, reception in the afternoon, and helping with an activity in the evening.
• Working conditions:
  • This is often seasonal work (spring-summer, sometimes winter campsites).
  • Food and lodging are often included (own tent, caravan, or shared accommodation).
  • The salary varies by country; sometimes it is a salary, sometimes a volunteer allowance or work-for-stay.
  • Workdays are practical and physical, often outdoors.

What are the reasons for working at a campsite abroad?

• To feel involved: daily contact with guests and colleagues strengthens the feeling of being part of a team and a place.
• To develop self-confidence: independently solving problems at the campsite gives you more confidence in new situations.
• To practice teamwork: the work revolves around teamwork, from cleaning to reception to entertainment.
• To improve flexibility: unexpected tasks or sudden guest requests require constant adaptability.
• To increase environmental awareness: taking guests, local rules, and the natural environment around the campsite into account is essential.

What skills and motivations do you need to work at a campsite abroad?

• Organizational awareness: small and large campsites each have their own structure; work effectively within these frameworks.
• Communication skills: communicate clearly and friendly with guests and colleagues.
• Flexibility: varying tasks and working hours require adaptability.
• Collaboration skills: to be able to collaborate effectively with an international team.
• Stress resistance: cope with peak periods, busy weekends, and unexpected problems.

What are the best countries and locations to work at a campsite abroad?

• Countries with a lot of seasonal work in maintenance and cleaning: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Sweden.
• Countries with a strong focus on reception, entertainment, and guest service: France, Italy, Spain, Germany.
• Countries with all-around and hospitality-oriented work: Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Turkey.
• Countries for volunteer work and eco-campsites: Costa Rica, Thailand, Bali (Indonesia), South Africa.

What are the risks of working at a campsite abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

• What are the risks of working at a campsite abroad?
  • Unsafe working environments are common: sometimes due to health risks, sometimes due to working in unfamiliar conditions.
  • Accidents frequently occur, and they can have serious consequences.
  • It's not uncommon for someone to contract a contagious or local disease, be unable to work for a period, or even have to be flown home.
  • It's not uncommon for someone to be bitten or stung by an animal in the water or on land, with medical consequences.
  • High workloads are common, due to long hours, staff shortages, or intensive supervision.
  • Physically demanding work often involves heavy lifting, cleaning, or maintenance.
• Are you insured while working at a campsite abroad?
  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
  • Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
  • There's a risk of accidents, for example, because you are doing work with which you have little experience.
  • During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may be cancelled.
  • See the pages on: insuring international Insurances for working abroad, for internships abroad, for volunteering abroad, or for expats and emigrants.

What is working in a restaurant or kitchen abroad like?

• Does food, a lively work environment, and fast-paced collaboration sound appealing? Then working in a restaurant or kitchen abroad can be a great way to gain international experience, earn money, and discover different food cultures.
• Working in a restaurant or kitchen revolves around hospitality, teamwork, and timing. In the restaurant area, the emphasis is on service, advising guests, and serving dishes. In the kitchen, the focus is on preparation, hygiene, pace, and collaboration within the kitchen staff.
• In many hospitality establishments, these worlds overlap, and good communication between the waitstaff and the kitchen staff is essential.
• Positions can range from waitress, runner, or host to kitchen assistant, dishwasher, prep cook, or all-around kitchen staff.
• The role differs significantly from that of a head chef or independent cook: the emphasis is usually on support, execution, and service.
• The international context, location, and type of hospitality establishment strongly determine the content of the work. In tourist areas, the emphasis is often on speed and volume, while in small-scale restaurants, lodges, or retreats, there may be more focus on local ingredients, atmosphere, and guest interaction.

Responsibilities in a restaurant or kitchen are for example

• Taking orders and serving guests.
• Serving meals, drinks, and snacks.
• Explaining menus or dishes.
• Coordinate with the kitchen regarding timing and special requests.
• Cutting, washing, and preparing ingredients.
• Supporting with simple preparations under supervision.
• Dishwashing and cleaning workstations and equipment.
• Performing mise en place and preparing tables.
• Cleaning tables, bar, and work areas.
• The level of responsibility often increases with good performance. In some kitchens, more independence in prep tasks can develop over time.

Working conditions in the kitchen or in a restaurant may often include

• Salaries vary considerably by country and can consist of an hourly or monthly wage.
• In some countries, tips constitute a significant portion of income.
• In tourist areas, the minimum wage is often based on tip sharing or a service charge.
• Temporary or seasonal contracts are common, but in some countries, they are informal contracts or verbal agreements. These shifts often include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Sometimes meals during shifts, shared accommodations, or staff discounts are included.
• There are opportunities for growth towards becoming an independent chef or specializing in food preparation.

What are the reasons for working in a restaurant or kitchen abroad?

• To become stress-resistant: working during peak hours in an international kitchen requires calmness and focus.
• To learn to collaborate: good hospitality revolves around collaboration between kitchen, wait staff, and management.
• To become flexible: changing menus, cultural eating habits, and unexpected busy periods require considerable adaptability.
• To develop communication skills: working with international guests and colleagues significantly tests communication skills.
• To be results-oriented: meals must be delivered on time and according to standards, which encourages a focus on efficiency.

What skills and motivations do you need to work in a restaurant or kitchen abroad?

• Being service-oriented: hospitality is at the heart of restaurant work.
• Being stress-resistant: peak workloads during busy periods are normal. Collaborative skills: Good communication between kitchen and service staff is essential.
• Flexible: Working hours and tasks can vary significantly.
• Professionalism: Proper guest handling, food safety, and financial management are important.
• Results-oriented: Meals and service must be delivered on time and to standard.

What are the best countries and locations to work in a restaurant or kitchen abroad?

• Countries with a strong gastronomy and restaurant culture: France, Italy, Japan, Peru, Thailand, Mexico, Spain.
• Countries with international hotel and restaurant chains: the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and Canada.
• Countries with a high level of seasonal tourism employment: Greece, Spain, Croatia, Indonesia, South Africa, Brazil, and Portugal.
• Countries with a strong street food and local food culture: Vietnam, India, Morocco, Indonesia, Colombia, and Thailand.

What are the risks of working in a restaurant or kitchen abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

What are the risks of working in a restaurant or kitchen abroad, and what happens with some regularity:

• that income fluctuates due to dependence on tips or seasonal pressures.
• that physical injuries can arise from prolonged standing, walking, or lifting.
• that accidents such as slips, trips, cuts, or burns occur.
• that work pressure during peak times leads to mental strain.
• that some countries have a less safe work environment due to infrastructure, health risks, political instability, or local circumstances.
• that someone contracts a contagious or local disease, is temporarily unable to work, or even has to be flown home.
• When you work in the hospitality sector, you may be exposed to greater financial or legal risks as soon as you start performing your work under your own responsibility. It is advisable, as far as possible, to also inquire to what extent your local employer is adequately insured for accidents, technical errors, or misjudgments. Of course, this is not always the case, nor can it be always ascertained in advance. Take this into account as much as possible when deciding whether to perform certain risky tasks.

Are you insured while working in a restaurant or kitchen abroad?

• There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
• Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
• During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may lapse. See the pages on: insuring paid work, internships, or volunteering abroad.
• See also: insurance for working in a restaurant or kitchen for paid work, for internships and for volunteer work abroad.

What is working on a cruise ship, sailboat or yacht abroad like?

• Working on a cruise ship or sailing yacht means being part of a team that ensures guests can travel safely, comfortably, and with pleasure. The work can vary from hospitality and entertainment to technical roles or navigation.
• Personnel on a cruise ship or large sailing yacht can be broadly divided into three categories:
  • Officers: these are the highest positions on board. Examples include the captain, bridge officers, the ship's doctor, and ship management.
  • Staff: these are employees who often have direct contact with guests. Examples include retail staff, casino staff, entertainers, receptionists, spa staff, and restaurant staff.
  • Crew: these are roles that take place more in the background. Examples include cleaning staff, kitchen staff without guest contact, technical staff, and stewards.
• Depending on the ship and the organization, you can combine different roles.
• Working on a ship often means long working days, but also a unique opportunity to see the world while you work.

Responsibilities when you work on a cruiseship may be

• Serving guests in restaurants or bars. Cleaning cabins and common areas.
• Organizing entertainment or activities.
• Working in shops, spas, or casinos on board.
• Assisting with excursions or activities ashore.
• Technical work and maintenance of the ship.
• Assisting with safety and emergency procedures.

Working conditions while working on a cruiseship

• Contracts ranging from a few months to a year.
• Board and room on board the ship.
• A salary dependent on position and experience, sometimes with extra income through tips.
• Long working days and few days off during contract periods.
• International work environment with colleagues from many different countries.

What are the reasons for working on a cruise ship, yacht or sailboat abroad?

• To gain experience: by working abroad, your work experience increases within your own field, but generally also beyond it. You experience much more during your stay abroad if you work than if you were to travel around.
• To strengthen your empathy: by working in a different culture, you often strengthen your own ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Differences in culture, working methods, and communication styles ensure that you accept other aspects more quickly or take them as they are. Your own perspective quickly becomes broader, broader, and, in particular, more flexible.
• To increase your stress resilience: you regularly work under reasonable or significant pressure; working in a different culture can take a toll on your stress resilience. This is especially due to pressure that may arise because you have to communicate in a different language, perform new tasks, or receive limited coaching. Nevertheless, for almost everyone, these experiences contribute to a significant increase in stress resilience precisely because of this.
• To discover and accept your own qualities: when you are further away from your familiar environment, you discover more quickly what you are actually capable of and what you actually want. By going to work, you confront yourself more often, get to know yourself better, and accept who you are and how you want to be more quickly.

What skills and motivations do you need to work on a cruise ship or yacht abroad?

• Professionalism: You often have to work hard and long hours. Furthermore, a positive attitude and being easy to get along with are important qualities. You are a quick learner and enjoy working in a multicultural environment.
• Service orientation: Especially when you have a lot of contact with guests, their wishes always come first.
• Flexibility: Do you not need to know exactly what your day will look like weeks in advance, but is it enough to discover it at the moment? Then you have the right attitude for working on a ship.
• Communication skills: On a ship, you get different guests every trip, and it is important that you get to know them as quickly as possible to tailor everything to their wishes.
• Collaboration skills: Abroad, too, it is important that you learn, or are able, to collaborate when working with others.

What are the best countries and locations to work on a cruise ship or yacht abroad?

The beautiful and famous sailing trips

• Along the Ionian Islands in Greece.
• Along the Turkish coast.
• Across the Andaman Sea.
• From Bali to Sulawesi.
• From Grenada and the Grenadines to the rest of the Caribbean.
• Along the coast of Norway.
• From Colombia via the San Blas Islands to Panama (or vice versa).
• Sailing through the Grand Canyon.

The beautiful and famous cruises

• Greek islands (Rhodes, Santorini).
• Caribbean Islands (St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, Curaçao).
• Chile: Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales.
• The Nile Cruise (all of Egypt by boat).
• South Pacific (including Papeete, Bora Bora).
• Fjords Cruise (towards North Cape).
• Antarctica (fascinating).
• Panama Canal.
• World cruise (98 days from Rotterdam).
• Southeast Asia.

What are the risks of working on a cruise ship or yacht abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

What are the risks of working on a cruise ship or yacht abroad, and what happens with some regularity:

• that there is an unsafe working environment: infrastructure, health risks, political instability, conduct, weather conditions.
• that your resistance is low: long days, heat or cold, and time pressure can lead to burnout-like symptoms.
• that there is a lot of stress: due to responsibility, cultural and linguistic problems, busy seasons, working in small spaces with the same people close together.
• that the physical strain is high: due to a lot of standing and walking.
• that accidents happen: burns, cuts, back problems, joint problems, falls. that someone contracts a contagious or local infection due to food hygiene in tropical conditions, rendering you unable to work for a period of time, or even requiring you to be flown back home.
• that someone causes harm to guests: think of spilled grease stains on clothing, or physical damage.
• When you work in the boating sector, you may be exposed to greater financial or legal risks as soon as you start performing your work under your own responsibility. It is advisable, as far as possible, to also inquire to what extent your local employer is adequately insured for accidents, technical errors, or misjudgments. Of course, this is not always the case, nor can it be always ascertained in advance. Take this into account as much as possible when deciding whether to perform certain risky tasks.

Are you insured while working on a cruise ship, sailing boat or yacht abroad?

• There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
• Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
• During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may lapse. See the pages on: insuring paid work, internships, or volunteering abroad.
• See also: insurance for working on a cruise ship or yacht for paid work, for internships and for volunteer work abroad.