Working in nature and outdoors abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is working in nature and outdoors abroad like?

• Working in nature and the outdoors means spending most of your day outdoors.
• You will work in areas with abundant greenery, animals, forests, beaches, mountains, or countryside.
• This could be on a farm, nature project, campsite, ecolodge, sustainability initiative, wildlife project, or outdoor organization.
• Living conditions vary greatly. Sometimes basic, sometimes comfortable.
• But always: fresh air, exercise, and lots of nature.
• Duties vary by organization, but often include:
  • maintenance of nature reserves, trails, or parks;
  • helping on a farm or sustainable agricultural site;
  • maintenance and work at campsites and outdoor accommodations;
  • participating in ecolodges, ecohostels, or sustainable projects;
  • assisting with animal care or wildlife monitoring;
  • repairs and manual work such as installing fences, painting, or building.
  • Light technical work, gardening, composting.
  • Supervising guests or volunteers.
  • Cleaning outdoor areas or common areas.
• Working conditions: Most nature and outdoor jobs offer a local average salary (depending on country and season) or room and board with a small expense allowance.
• Discounts on activities and meals or basic food can be part of the package.
• Volunteer work usually doesn't include a salary, but it does include food, accommodation, and training.
• Internships are also often unpaid, but they do offer experience and supervisors. Your accommodation is often basic: staff accommodation, shared rooms, tents, huts, or farmhouse rooms.

What are the reasons for working in nature and outdoors abroad?

• To strengthen your adaptability: working outdoors means dealing with weather, animals, machinery, unexpected situations, and seasons. You'll learn to adapt flexibly, a valuable skill for all future employers.
• To develop strong problem-solving skills: from a broken water hose to a sudden thunderstorm while working outdoors: you'll learn to think quickly, creatively, and practically.
• To build your physical and mental resilience: working outdoors requires perseverance, discipline, and stress resistance. You'll literally build a stronger body and brain.
• To practice your self-reliance: many outdoor jobs (sustainability, ranger work, farms, campsites) require you to make independent decisions and show initiative.
• To learn to think sustainably and work systems-oriented: ecological work requires you to see connections (soil, biodiversity, water, human behavior). This strengthens your analytical skills and your sustainable mindset.
• To increase environmental awareness: you'll learn to recognize risks, which is essential in nature work, strengthening your responsibility and safety skills.

What skills and motivations do you need to work in nature and outdoors abroad?

• Collaboration and empathy: You'll work in teams, often internationally, and therefore must be able to collaborate well with people from different backgrounds.
• Resilience and calmness under pressure: Many unexpected situations can arise, especially if you're responsible for clients or other employees, for example.
• Professional conduct and craftsmanship: Safety and care are very important when working outdoors!
• Planning and organization: Depending on your role, this can be very important. A good daily schedule makes everyone's work much more enjoyable!
• Service orientation: This is especially important at campsites/ecolods.
• Situational awareness: Your awareness of nature, culture, animals, and safety is incredibly important when you're outdoors a lot and working with different people and circumstances.

What are the best countries and locations to work in nature and outdoors abroad?

• Farm work and sustainable agriculture: Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Ecuador, Spain, Chile, South Africa
• Nature management and outdoor maintenance: USA, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, UK
• Camping and outdoor recreation: France, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Portugal, Croatia
• Eco lodges and sustainable community projects: Costa Rica, Peru, South Africa, Indonesia, Mexico
• Wildlife projects and fieldwork: Australia, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Costa Rica

What are the risks of working in nature and outdoors abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

• What are the risks of working in nature and outdoors abroad?
  • It is not uncommon for the working environment to be unsafe: infrastructure, health risks, political instability, social norms.
  • Accidents with serious consequences are a regular occurrence: the (incorrect) use of tools or machines, heat, exhaustion, falls, and back problems caused by heavy and repetitive lifting.
  • It is common for someone to contract an infectious or local disease, be unable to work for a period of time, or even have to be flown home.
  • It is common for someone to be bitten or kicked by an animal, come into contact with poisonous plants, with medical consequences.
  • It is common for the workload to be high: due to long days, staff shortages, or minimal supervision.
• Are you insured while working in nature and outdoors abroad?
  • Local employers usually offer no, or limited, supplementary insurance.
  • There is a risk of accidents because, for example, you are doing work with which you have little experience.
  • During work, an internship, or volunteer work abroad for which you receive compensation or a salary, the coverage of your own health insurance in your home country may lapse.
  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad. See the pages on: insuring international Insurances for working abroad, for internships abroad, for volunteering abroad, or for expats and emigrants.