What is an expatriate, anyway? Unlike an immigrant, who moves to a richer country and may eventually become a citizen, an expat makes an economically lateral move, or chooses to live in a poorer country.

Why? Well, land is cheaper, for one thing. But not all expats are so narrowly cynical. Some of the world’s most enchanting places are sleepy little cities tucked away in unassuming countries. They call to us to discover them, because every time an individual sees someplace new, a personal discovery takes place.

Expats have a lot of reasons for living abroad, as there are a lot of different types of expatriates jobs available. Here are nearly ten of the major expatriates jobs that you’ll find populating your expat community. See if you can spot them all!
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9 Expatriates Jobs That You Can Find While Traveling Abroad
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1. The English Teacher

After a post-university year teaching English abroad, this expat realized that there was no reason to go home, where job prospects are dismal and the parental basement yawns with its inescapable gravitational pull. So they renewed their contract and stayed abroad!

As long as they have that teaching job, they’ve got a visa. The English teacher usually tolerates a degrading, chaotic or overly demanding workplace in exchange for the higher standard of living that they can enjoy in their host country. How long can this last? Every English teacher has their own opinion. But who needs career ambition when you have cheap food and your company pays your rent?
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2. The Digital Nomad

A modern and fast growing subcategory of expats, digital nomads are, as they say, living the dream. Their online jobs allow them to work remotely, freeing them up to live and work wherever they please. Bloggers, freelance writers, freelance UX designers, freelance anythings, really--these millennials are filling the e-space with content and asking nothing in return except money, freedom and attention. You’ll see them in cafes or hostel common spaces, monetizing their Instagrammable lifestyles on their laptops. Be sure to congratulate them.
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3. The Small Business Owner

This is the frazzled B-and-B keeper, rushing about to make the rooms squeaky clean so reviews stay high. It’s the grumbling bookstore owner who can only seem to sell enough used English novels to just get by. It’s the bartender, cafe owner, or restaurateur whose hangdog, seen-it-all expression betrays a life desperately at the mercy of Tripadvisor and Lonely Planet.

Tourist seasons will peak and trough, and the business owning expat is usually scrambling between the two, trying to make enough during high season to wait out the low. And what with the local crime, unpredictable municipal interference, and having to cater to underdressed backpackers, they really have good reason to be so over it.
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4. The Corporate Correspondent

This expat doesn’t really want to be an expat, and they’re not especially interested in their host country, per se. Their company sent them here, and they’re doing their job, working as an alliance manager or a corporate diplomat. Sometimes they’re just a pair of western eyes sent to oversee a local staff that their company considers incompetent. When the job is over, they’ll go home, perhaps with some souvenirs for their house. Because these, unlike many other expats, have houses back home.
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5. The Expat’s Partner

OK, we put this in as a joke but you'll see this more often than you think.A partner follows their love to this corner of the world. And it’s not that they regret it. They’re trying really, really hard to like it here. But at the end of the day, it wasn’t really their choice, and they’re always tinted with a blush of homesickness.

The spouse or partner of an expat is quick to suggest other options where they might try living, but in the same breath will mention the nice things about living here, as if to compensate. They can try to cover it up all they like. But while their partner is having a great time, they’re missing their friends and their favorite place for Saturday pancakes.
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6. The Charity Pureheart (Volunteering)

These starry eyed do-gooders come overseas with a mission. They’re here to help, even save, the wonderful locals. They’re zealous voluntourists, hashtag blessed missionaries, and NGO blondies who are unaware of The White Man’s Burden or Barbie Savior, and seem blissfully oblivious to the fact that their hubris-saddled meddling usually does more harm than good.

When they go home they humblebrag about their powerful experience, hang a local painting prominently on their wall, pepper every description with their new favorite words (‘local,’ ‘authentic,’ and ‘cultural’), and cry because they have multiple brands of toothpaste to choose from.The most popular organization to volunteer through is WOOFing.
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7. The Hostel Worker

This may be one of the best expatriates jobs if you don't mind sleeping in bunk beds.You get free lodging, get to meet free-spirited travelers from all around the world, and live like a local. The key is finding the right hostel, ideally a premium one, where you can have the right mix of fun people without the dingy accommodation.Check out this extensive list of the best hostels in the world.
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8. Dive Instructor

Fan of the ocean blue waters?Teaching others how to dive may be your best bet. Don't worry, you can take lessons yourself and become trained to be a certified diving instructor. Imagine spending your days in Phi-Phi Island and soaking up the sun while making lucrative cheques every month.
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9. Real Estate Manager

With AirBnB spread globally, hosts are looking for managers to take care of their place(s) so they don't have to.Your basic qualifications need to be: trustworthy, punctual, and some basic communication skills (ideally the local language). Depending on how many properties and the rent the hosts charge, you could be earning big bucks in no time without taking any risks on your end.
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Ready to take on one of these expatriates jobs and live an expat lifestyle?

Then start learning a language today! We have everything you need to get started.We also recommend you check out our post on the types of expats that exist.