🌴 The Reality of Working Abroad: It’s Not Always What You Expect

Scrolling through Instagram, it might seem like working abroad is all sun, sea and perfectly filtered sunsets. And while there’s definitely plenty of that — the reality has more layers. If you’re thinking of heading out to work in places like Ibiza, Zante, Magaluf, Bali or Thailand, here’s what it’s actually like once you get there.

🌞 The Good Stuff Is Very Real

Let’s start with this: it can be as amazing as it looks. You’re waking up somewhere most people dream of visiting.

• Days off at the beach

• Nights that turn into stories you’ll tell for years

• Friends that start to feel like family

Whether you're in the club-heavy streets of Ibiza or chilling post-shift in Thailand, those “this is unreal” moments are genuine — and come often.

👟 But It's Also Work

Yes, you’re abroad. But you’re still working. Sometimes long hours, sometimes for not much money, and often while running on little sleep.

• In Magaluf or Zante, expect high-energy roles like event promotion or bar work

• In Ibiza, it’s fast-paced and competitive — showing up late can cost you shifts

• In Bali or Thailand, the work tends to be more chilled, but you’ll still need to be reliable and adaptable

💬 You’ll Learn Fast

Most jobs abroad don’t have long training periods. You’re expected to pick it up on the go, whether it’s selling tickets in Zante, helping guests in Bali, or managing big events in Ibiza.

You’ll also learn skills no one told you you’d need — like how to stretch €20 for three days, how to make flatmates get along, or how to charm someone into buying a wristband they didn’t plan on getting.

🏠 Living Conditions Are What They Are

You probably won’t have your own room. You might not have air con. Showers might be cold. But what you lose in comfort, you gain in the stories and the people.

In Thailand and Bali, accommodation is basic but cheap. In Ibiza or Magaluf, it’s tight, loud, and you’ll learn to sleep through anything.

🧠 Some Days Will Be Tough

You might feel homesick. You might fall out with someone in your flat. You might have a day where nothing goes to plan. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong — it means you’re doing something real.

Push through the hard days. They usually lead to the best ones.

✅ Final Thought

Working a season abroad isn’t just about where you go — it’s about what you put into it. Whether you’re in the beach bars of Zante, the jungle cafés of Bali, or repping in the heart of Ibiza, the same rule applies: show up, stay open, and enjoy the ride.