My First Travel Article

My first travel article was written and published in 2000. It was about my experiences living in Berlin for a year. The ‘hook’ (what made it current and fresh) was the mention of a new Working Holiday Visa introduced in Germany. I wrote the article, emailed it to a random person at a newspaper – probably through their website – and forgot all about it until someone rang me congratulating me on being in the paper.

Since then I’ve had many other travel articles published, from Europe to South America to Asia. Here’s my advice on how to write your own publishable articles.

1. Find a ‘hook’
A hook is something that makes your article current and fresh, like the example above. Has the country or town been in the news for something special lately? Is there an event unique to that area? Did you have an experience unlike any other? Open with that.

2. Write in your own style
Your writing style makes you special. Although you need to keep the tone of the publication in mind that you’re submitting to, don’t ‘disguise’ your natural style. It’ll sound forced and awkward.

3. Don’t stress, just write
Get it all out onto paper/the computer. Tidy later. Don’t fret over each sentence. You’ll never get it done.

4. Don’t recount your itinerary
No one wants to read ‘Then… and then we… and then we…” Start with a strong memory, and link your thoughts, but it doesn’t need to be in chronological order.

5. Make it vivid
When traveling, take detailed notes as you go so you don’t forget your impressions. Look around and get the details down. What was said? What was smelled? What was felt? Take photos of the unexpected: an amusing sign, an unusual meal. The minutiae make up your trip and will make your readers feel like they were there, too.

6. Get your thoughts straight
Before you start communicating, have a think about what you actually want to say. Did you have a wonderful time, or an awful time that ended well, or an unexpected time that was better than you could’ve imagined? Do you want to warn people, encourage people, educate people, entertain people? Figure out your aim first, so it comes through in your writing. Choosing a headline and introduction can help you focus.

7. Talk to locals
Fellow tourists are fun and often have good tips, but if you’re writing a travel article you need to talk to people who can share words of wisdom about their country. Are the locals poor, oppressed, healthy, happy, hard-working? Unless you’re reviewing a resort you’ll need to get out and meet people. It’s also the most interesting part.

8. Balance facts and opinion
Your thoughts alone are unlikely to be enough. What is the history of the area? The population? The culture? Likewise, a geography lesson can be dull. Add your impressions. It’s about finding a balance.

9. End with a bang
End as you hopefully opened: strongly. Don’t trail off with, “So I had a great time and recommend it.” What was your overall impression? Can you link it back to the beginning? I always try and add an event or snippet of conversation that encapsulates the tone covered in the rest of the article.

10. Give to a friend
Get a friend to check and read your article. Chances are, you’re so close to it now you can’t see any obvious oversights or errors. Take feedback into consideration, and certainly word counts, but keep your gut instincts in mind too.

Already written your article? Here are my tips on getting published in print.

1. Figure out what your options are
Do you need to learn another language? What is there a demand for in that country? What skills and qualifications do you have, and will they translate well in a new place?

2. Figure out what you would enjoy doing
After researching the above, you need to find something you’ll actually like. There’s little point nannying if you hate it.

3. Have backup savings
Finding a job may be harder than you expect. Make sure you have backup funds just in case!

4. Contact people
Once you’ve chosen an occupation you’d like to pursue, get with the contacting. Use the Yellow Pages or equivalent. Search international job sites. If you already know people in the country, ask them for some advice. This can be done before you arrive, so by the time you get there you’ve already taken steps. Make sure your CV or resume fits the standards of that country.

5. Offer to do an unpaid trial
If you’re not having much luck getting a job, get your foot in the door by offering your service for free for a week. Chances are, if you work hard, they’ll find you a job after that. Or, at worst, you’ve now have some valid experience in your new country. Get a reference.

6. Join expat clubs
Hook up with fellow expats and hear their stories. Don’t take everything to heart, though, if their stories are negative. Not everyone has the same experience.

Case Study: Me
In 2000 I moved to Berlin, Germany, armed with my CELTA. I wrote to all the language schools in Berlin asking for work. I got a few rejections but landed a job with one of the best schools in town. Lucky? Definitely. And teaching in Berlin is now much more competitive than it was then. Still, put yourself out there. People will offer advice and referrals, even if they have nothing for you.

Related Reading:

Finding a job overseas from LiveAbroad.com
10 essential tips for landing a job overseas from QuintCareers.com

I can only speak from the position of a Kiwi, but many Kiwis head to the UK on the two-year visa. Many don’t even know that similar visas are now available for Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan and more. The visas are generally 1-2 years’ duration and include the right to work at least part-time while there.

These visas are awesome because they mean you can travel and earn money at the same time! Well, hallelujah!

Even if you’re over 30 it’s not all bad news. There are still visas available, and several are points-based depending on your college degree and work experience.

I’ve had two Working Holiday visas, one for the UK (two years, although I only stayed for one) and Germany (one year). I worked mainly as an English Language teacher, having taken a one-month course in NZ first called the CELTA, which is internationally recognized.

I’ll blog more about work experience overseas and how to get a job in another post. This post is mainly to share the good news that there are lots of overseas visas and you should start researching now!

Where do you want to go? Visit the website of that country’s consulate and check out the visa section. Find people who have lived there (Alabama, Arctic, someone will have done it) and ask them how they managed it. People love being asked how they did something.

Note: You will generally need to apply for visas before you leave your home country.

Depending on the country, there may be some red tape to wallow through first, so allow plenty of time. My visa for England took ages, because there were so many applicants. My German visa took a few days. My visa for the US wasn’t hard but I had to wait ages in queues to be approved. Be patient.

Note 2: There are organizations that can help you arrange your visa. Do a Google search for ‘organize visa for [country]‘. I have never used one so can’t comment too much, however I’m a fan of doing it myself because a) it’s cheaper and b) that way I know exactly what’s going on with my application.

Note 3: If you find that you’re from a country that sadly doesn’t have many overseas visa options, consider finding a job at a multi-national company and get an overseas transfer. Friends of mine have done this with great success.

The first foreign country I lived in was Germany. After a few months, I felt down. It was cold, the culture was different to what I was used to and I only spoke beginner’s German. The main thing that kept me there was thinking, ‘What would I do if I went home? Would I regret it?’ I knew I would, and I’m so glad I persevered because it became one of the best times of my life!

For some, the feeling is so overwhelming that they jump on a plane back home again. I wouldn’t recommend this, as the feeling wears off. Ways to combat homesickness are:

• Stay in touch. It’s so easy now with email, texting and cheap phone rates. You’re never that far away. Ask for a ‘care package’ from home containing some local magazines, food and things you are missing.
• Keep busy. Work, socialize, join clubs. Meeting new people will help you lessen the strong ties to home, and create a new one. What were your hobbies at home? Maybe you can still do them.
• Set up your own site. A blog can help others keep track of what you’re up to and respond easily with their own news.
• Check your surroundings. Maybe the reason you are homesick is because your accommodation isn’t that great, or your location. Or try making yourself more comfortable by putting some photos up or buying some plants. Making a few small changes can make all the difference.
• Think about why you went there in the first place. What did you want to achieve? Work on your goals, it’ll keep you focused.

Have you ever experienced homesickness while traveling? How did you overcome it?