International Work-Cation

Brando CalPankian

Brando CalPankian

Carpal tunnel level member
Location
Pine City, MN
The wife and I have always wanted to travel internationally to look at trees. We've really never gotten to leave the US. I've worked all over the country but haven't even gotten to go to Canada.

Folks who have travelled for work to other countries, what was your experience? I mean, it's ISA after all. The certifications carry the same weight wherever there's a chapter right?

I know some countries require other proficiency certs, particularly in Europe. Is getting those part of the work visa process?

We're really interested in going to southern Europe like Italy and Greece and the Nordic countries like Sweden and Iceland to start. We like places that are a bit slower and where folks seem to have better work life balance.

I didn't find a thread on this thinking specifically, so I was hoping to hear some testimonies. There's a few of us on here who live in other countries and on islands like Fiji and stuff. All experience here is helpful, and will hopefully help others.

Thanks again.
 
How long are you looking to go for?
Do you want to work the entire time or do a mix of work and exploring?

Italy and the Scandinavian countries have strong industries, not too sure about Greece other than their economy isn't great right now.

Islands are nice, but isolated if you're looking to travel more extensively in your down time.

In Europe, the ISA certs hold little weight. It's relevant, but formal education and training is more important. And they have their own certification program.

Visas will be the biggest hurdle. It's a process and they take into consideration your age, occupation, and financial security. Most places you'll likely need a sponsor too. You'll have much better luck in the arb industry if you're younger (30 and under).

At least those were my takeaways when I was looking at going abroad out of school.
 
Boomslang said:
How long are you looking to go for?
Do you want to work the entire time or do a mix of work and exploring?

Italy and the Scandinavian countries have strong industries, not too sure about Greece other than their economy isn't great right now.

Islands are nice, but isolated if you're looking to travel more extensively in your down time.

In Europe, the ISA certs hold little weight. It's relevant, but formal education and training is more important. And they have their own certification program.

Visas will be the biggest hurdle. It's a process and they take into consideration your age, occupation, and financial security. Most places you'll likely need a sponsor too. You'll have much better luck in the arb industry if you're younger (30 and under).

At least those were my takeaways when I was looking at going abroad out of school.
Click to expand...
We'd be looking at a month or two, probably a mix of work and pleasure, although trees and gardens are our hobbies.

Interesting about the ISA thing. Does each country have their own cert program? I'm most familiar with the UK system outside of the USA.

Visa does seem to be the biggest hurdle. Some countries are really difficult to get approval to work in. We were thinking of just traveling to start, and stopping in at companies to meet and greet and see if they'd take us on at a later date. Name to face sort of thing.

Does US education matter much? Some places (like Switzerland) have larger agroforestry programs which make work travel easier.

Thank you!
 
If only for a month or two you could just go on a tourist visa and work under the table. Do contact work here and there and spent the rest of the time exploring. Most employers won't go through the headache of sponsorship for that short a time.

Regarding certification. I'm probably mistaken about ALL of Europe having higher standards, but the European Tree Climber Cert isn't as easy as ISA.

Some good info here: https://arbjobs.com/blog/european-a...ropean Tree,various times throughout the year.
 
I recently learned of ‘working holiday visa’s’ apparently Australia is all about them yet there are age caps. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417


Japan, New Zealand and many others offer this

Wish I would have known about this when I was younger.

Yet cash is king, there’s the double taxation thing for the US, I believe there is an allowance for $10k. But you’d need to pay tax in both countries, consult with a CPA first. I met a guy who married and moved up north in Canada, he worked there for about a decade before he got audited by the IRS. They gave him an ultimatum of pay up, go to jail, or renounce his citizenship. He pulled the latter, just a museum worker hanging around the exhibits talking to folks.
 
Last edited:
I remember ages ago looking into New Zealand, and yah it's a serious process with a whole government program, 6 month contracts, being sponsored, verification of your current financial status, etc. The flow of labor around the world is just not quick or easy to do traveling as a family for short periods. A lot of countries would see a family traveling and probably think you were trying to illegally immigrate there.

As others have pointed at, your best bet is probably going to be make connections on social media, and just see if you can work under the table for a week or whatever. That said, if someone approached me looking to do that, honestly I'd just say no because as a business I don't want that risk....
 
Last edited:
@27RMT0N your last point hits home. I don't pay cash as it is too much liability long term. Most legit companies wouldn't float that idea, and I want to work with quality folks if I did do it..

As @Boomslang @Mick Dempsey! and @evo stated, it'd make more sense to just have it be a vacation. I really enjoy work climbing as it has a directive, I have a hard time strictly rec climbing because I want a task to do. Lol.

I think this really helped narrow down my mindset with this. Idk why I was thinking I'd need to work to visit somewhere. The incessant need to make money in the back of my mind I guess. Hell we're looking to visit family in a month or so and I'm already looking for work. It's like, why? There's no good reason for it.

Anyone have some good arb related travel stories? The wanderlust is strong right now in our household.
 
Volunteering without monetary compensation could be a real middle ground too. My first girlfriend did the Australian circuit by farm hopping on organic farms. Traded labor for food room and board. I wonder if there is some sort of personal insurance like subcontracting that would ease the employer liability
 
evo said:
Volunteering without monetary compensation could be a real middle ground too. My first girlfriend did the Australian circuit by farm hopping on organic farms. Traded labor for food room and board. I wonder if there is some sort of personal insurance like subcontracting that would ease the employer liability
Click to expand...
Oooo that's a stellar idea!!! Like gap year!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom