Recent research has been released which shed some light on sleeping habits around the world, and is a very interesting read. One thing is for sure, every country in the infographic is getting far less sleep than they need, and less sleep than they were getting a hundred years ago. This can often be attributed to a bad mattress, so visit Mattress Next Day if you need an upgrade.

While most people focus on getting their “eight straight”, a study by NASA has drawn attention to how important naps are. In fact those who nap have better memory and concentration than those who don’t, something which won’t be surprising to people living in many African and Mediterranean countries, where an afternoon nap is simply part of their culture.

On work nights, people in Mexico get an average of 7 hours and 6 minutes of sleep. However those living in Mexico City will be lucky to get a short 6 hours and 32 minutes. Unfortunately, the ideal amount of sleep for most Mexicans is 8 hours and 15 minutes, something very few people are actually getting.

Canadians are getting an average of 7n hours and 3 minutes, but need 19 minutes more than this in order to function at peak efficiency. On work nights, 53% of Canadians get less sleep than they need.

The Japanese get only 6 hours and 22 minutes of sleep on work nights, however they’re also encouraged to take naps at work as this shows that they’re working hard. On nights when they’re not working, they get an average of 7 hours and 12 minutes. In order to feel healthy and happy, the Japanese need to get an average of 6 hours and 58 minutes of sleep each night, which most of them are getting on non-work nights, but missing on the nights when they have work. Unfortunately people who live in Tokyo aren’t doing too well when it comes to getting enough Z’s, and are only getting 5 hours and 46 minutes per night.

In the UK the average sleep time on work nights is 6 hours and 49 minutes, compared to 7 hours and 26 minutes on non-work nights. In order to function at their best, Brits need an average of 7 hours and 20 minutes each night, so most of them are falling short by around 31 minutes per night.

Americans get only 6 hours and 31 minutes sleep on work nights, but catch up slightly on non-work nights with an average of 7 hours and 22 minutes. However most Americans are feeling tired, with only 4% reporting they’re getting enough sleep, and most of them needing at least an extra 42 minutes each night.

Germans get an average of 7 hours and 1 minute on work night, and an impressive 8 hours on days when they don’t have work. however they need 7 hours and 31 minutes in order to feel their best, so while they’re doing well on non-work nights, they’ll need to go to bed early on nights when they have work the next day.

Want to learn more about sleeping habits around the world? Check out the cool infographic down below.

Surely part of the excitement of working overseas is the sheer differences to be found on a daily basis, whether that be in terms of the business attitude routinely encountered, the exoticness of the culture and food, or even the predictability of the weather. And, yes, the increase in salary which often accompanies a move to foreign climes is another major incentive.

In particular, the Middle East has proved a popular hunting ground for Western workers looking to make some spectacular bucks and at the same time enhance their opportunities and embellish their CVs. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain spring readily to mind, not only as increasingly popular holiday destinations, but as countries with vibrant expat communities from many corners of the world. Such expat communities, of Americans, Brits, Australians and citizens from dozens of other countries, continue to grow.

Billion-dollar spending plans

The Kingdom of Bahrain, often held up as a model open society, with many of its cultural values recognisable in most Western countries, is surely a case in point. The Persian Gulf country, an island of some 34 miles in length and 11 miles wide, is about to embark on a spectacular $22 billion worth of infrastructure spending over the next four years. The move, announced by Kamal bin Ahmed, Minister of Transportation and acting chief executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), is bound to attract a huge wave of expat interest.

Key projects

The spending, aimed at a range of sectors including tourism, will also help boost the national economy and increase regional competitiveness as well as providing opportunities for Bahrain’s own citizens.

The projects include the Bahrain International Airport modernisation project, the development of Al-Jazair Beach, investment projects in Durrat Al-Bahrain, expansion of the Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA) smelter, and the modernisation project being carried out by Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), as well as other projects. Government organisations, and Mumtalakat Holding Company in particular, will play a major role in the implementation of key projects.

International investors

The Minister added, “These are important investments that promise opportunities to international investors as well as strengthening connectivity with the region. The infrastructure projects are part of a wider effort by the Kingdom, which aim at diversifying the economy, as well as drawing quality investment, in order to support long term sustainable growth, create quality job opportunities, and increase the standards of living. This comes as part of Bahrain’s upcoming economic strategy, under the guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the EDB.”

Freest economy

Bahrain’s open investment policies have helped the country establish itself as the freest economy in the region, according to the Heritage Foundation’s 2014 Index of Economic Freedom.

Reflecting this success, the UNCTAD World Investment Report 2014 confirmed that total foreign direct investment into Bahrain last year was $989 million, an increase of 11% on 2012, outpacing global average growth of 9%.

Likewise, the recent implementation of a new visa policy now means fewer restrictions and easier access to the Kingdom for more than sixty additional countries. In addition to 36 countries now eligible for e-visa applications, residents from a further 60 countries will also now be able to apply for a visa on arrival.

Find out more about Bahrain here.

Finding a new job can be extremely daunting, not only do you have to figure out what type of jobs to apply for but where to start looking. Here are my 5 helpful tips for finding the right job for you.

1. Find yourself a good recruitment agent. A specialist recruitment agency can take a huge headache out of job hunting. Not only do they look for jobs for you, but they are also great for giving career advice and helping with your C.V. There are great recruitment agents out there that are also industry specific. This can really help with getting a foot in the door to big companies in your particular industry too. Recruitment agents spend a lot of time and effort building up a good industry network.

2. Ask your social network and previous colleagues if they know of any jobs going at their companies. Not all jobs are advertised and sometimes it’s easier to get a foot in the door if you know someone who already works there. So put a status up on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter or go through your e-mail contact list. You might be surprised at just how many responses you get.

3. Speaking of Social Media, it’s paramount these days to ensure your LinkedIn profile is up to date. If you don’t have a profile yet then get one. It’s one of the first points of reference that recruiters and employers look to when a job applications comes through. As well as ensuring your LinkedIn is all set up, ensure all your other social media (particularly Facebook) is on lock down. It’s definitely not a good look if you have public viewing of that one night you had a few too many tequila shots.

4. If there is a particular company you want to work for then contact the company directly. Better yet you can even look up people in the particular department you want to work for on LinkedIn and contact them. Nothing shows ambition like taking the initiative and asking upfront if there are any jobs. Just be careful not to come across as pushy or desperate.

5. When you actually do find a job you really want, make sure you tailor your cover letter to the job specifications. It’s super tempting to just have one generic cover letter so you can save time, however this isn’t going to land you your dream job. Spend time writing a customized letter on how you fit each specification they have outlined in the job advert. This not only tells the employer why you are suited to the job but shows that you have spend some time applying for it.

The travel bug hits everyone differently.  Some people want to wake up in a new country every week, others want to immerse themselves in a new culture for months or even years.  If you’re the latter, then you’ve probably already realized that teaching English abroad is right up your alley.  There’s a great market for native English-speaking teachers, and there’s a plethora of places to choose from.  If you haven’t considered South Korea yet, here’s the top four reasons why you should check it out.

Great Pay for Easy Work

Let’s be honest: teaching English in Korea isn’t all that difficult.  As long as you’ve got a college degree, no criminal record, and a decent grasp of your native language, you’re good to go.  It’s rare for schools to require a teaching degree, and many don’t even require any previous training or certifications. Many academies already have lesson plans ready for their teachers, and there’s plenty of internet resources if you need to make your own.  The kids are usually well-behaved, the hours are great, and you don’t have to pay for housing.  You won’t get rich, but you’ll certainly be able to live well on your salary–even while paying off your student loans!

Strong Expatriate Community

There are over 20,000 foreign English teachers in Korea, plus nearly 30,000 American military personnel and several thousand more foreign workers in various fields.  Seoul has the largest concentration of expats, and there are numerous well-established places for foreigners to meet.  Even small towns have their own Facebook groups where foreigners can chat, buy and sell things, ask questions, and get to know each other.  Church groups for expats are prevalent in Korea, but they often host events for non-members and welcome everyone, regardless of religious beliefs.  It’s never hard to meet people!

Koreans Respect Foreigners

In general, Koreans are respectful of foreigners.  There are a few minor negative stereotypes—big noses, for example—but overall Koreans have a very positive view of Westerners.  Crimes or scams that target foreigners are unheard of here, and discrimination against Westerners is rare. Older Koreans may even thank you for coming to their country to teach. Koreans will respect you even more if you try to learn a bit of the language, but it’s not necessary because nearly everyone speaks a little English.You might even find yourself getting special treatment or free swag!

It’s a First-World Nation

Unlike some other popular English-teaching destinations, especially those in Southeast Asia, Korea is a modern country with all the comforts of home. You will never find yourself without electricity, clean water, and heat in Korea.  Most teachers also get air conditioning in their lodgings.  The internet is lightning-fast, the subway is cheap and efficient (and on-time!), and cell phones work even in tunnels and underground.  Grocery and department stores are stocked with foreign products, and if you can’t find it in a store, you can get it from the internet—and have it shipped to you for free within a day or two.  There’s shockingly little crime, and everyone has equal rights and access to cheap health care, and eating out is cheap and delicious. Many expats end up staying forever because life is so good in Korea!

Photos: Emmanuel DYAN, Carrie Marshall and USAG- Humphreys used under Creative Commons License

Unfortunately, not all of us can travel the world continuously, forever being on holiday. The majority of us need to work to earn our keep when the savings run dry. Just because your money runs out, doesn’t mean you need to run home. Getting a job and working overseas is one of the best ways to truly experience a country. It can be a bit intimidating packing up your life and taking the plunge overseas, but it can be one of the most rewarding experiences too.

Remember though, going overseas puts you at risk to any number of diseases, parasites, and bacteria that might be present in that particular region. Always consult a doctor about what vaccinations you should get before you embark on your travels. In the U.S., the Affordable Care Act makes things easy as far as doctor’s appointments go. Getting vaccinated may actually be easier than you expect.

Here are some great jobs you can look into overseas to keep your travel bug satisfied:

1) Working in a Hostel
This is great for the social aspect and generally you’ll only have to work a few hours a day, allowing a lot of free time for exploring, language classes or whatever else might take your fancy. The upside of this is you’ll get free accommodation and some places even offer pay if you clock in enough hours. It’s not the most lucrative way to earn money overseas, but can be great for something temporary that allows you to soak in a place you’ve fallen in love with.

2) Working on a Cruise Ship
This is a great way to save money as most of your expenses, such as accommodation, food and power, will be covered by your employer. It can be a little cozy, often you’ll be sharing your small room with at least one other person. You can work a variety of jobs on a cruise ship, from general crew to photographers, the job you work will depend largely on your skills and want appeals to you most.

3) Teaching English Overseas
Teaching English Overseas is one of the best ways to earn a living all while exploring a new culture, there are numerous places around the world that are receptive to native speaking English teachers. You can teach English in South Korea, or even in China. The real money, however, is in the Middle East, although that tends to demand long contracts. Wherever you choose to teach, you’ll find yourself exposed to a whole new culture with a bunch of benefits thrown in, such as a pay for completing your contract, generous holiday allowances and often free accommodation.

4) Summer Camps
In many parts of the world, especially the United States of America, kids spend the summers enjoying camps. Camp America is a great opportunity to go and work in a fun environment. Often part of your flight will be covered, as well as a weekly wage. Many people who do such camps choose to spend a few weeks or months afterwards traveling around. There are also camps in Europe and other countries, all you need to do is hunt them out.

5) Be an Au Pair
Being an au pair is a great way to explore a new country while still maintaining a lot of security. In exchange for your help caring for the children and maybe teaching them, you’ll be provided with a room, board and a weekly allowance. The weekly allowance isn’t a large sum of money, but it is enough for you to explore the country you’re in and depending on your shopping habits, save a bit. It is a really easy way to experience a new place and a new family.

Have you ever worked overseas? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below.

Photos: Mr Hicks46, Alex O’Neal and Ed Yourdon

Teaching English overseas is one of the most popular ways to secure a job overseas. Foreign languages are in demand across the globe, but English tends to be the dominant one. That means, if you’re a native English speaker, it will be fairly easy for you to get into teaching English in China. If you’ve decided you want to teach English in China, it can be quite intimidating getting started so here are our suggestions:

Figure Out Where You Want to be Based
China is huge, and if you haven’t been there before, you might feel a bit overwhelmed trying to choose somewhere to base yourself. Do some research into different cities and regions to see what appeals to you. If you want to live in a big city, there are so many to choose from. I suggest looking at the travel guides for those cities to see what kind of things you can do during your time off.

Decide on What Age Group You Want to Teach
There’s a pretty big difference between teaching little kids to teaching adults. Some people prefer to teach older, more mature students while others prefer teaching younger kids. It doesn’t matter what your preference is, but you do need to figure it out so that you can start applying for the right jobs. Obviously if you’re teaching adult students or high school students, their English levels and requirements are probably a lot more advanced than for three year olds. The flip side of that is younger students tend to have smaller attention spans and can present behavioural challenges.

Treat it Like Any Other Job Hunt
Chances are you’ll need to create a cover letter and CV for your application. At this stage, some people prefer to contact schools directly while others prefer to go through an organisation. There’s really no right or wrong way, but often organisations can be helpful in negotiating contract terms for you, which can help take a bit of the pressure off. There are a number of website forums where you can ask other wannabe teachers, current teachers or past teachers for advice. My favourite is Dave’s ESL cafe which you can visit here which even has employment opportunities on it too.

Be Prepared for an Interview
Skype has made interviews even easier when you’re dealing with large distances. You will need to prepare yourself incase of interview with the school or company you’re going through. Keep in mind the following questions and prepare answers in advance:

Why do you want to live in China?

How will you deal with culture shock/homesickness?

What kind of travel have you done in the past?

Why are you interested in teaching?

What is your teaching style?

How do you deal with students when they are not paying attention?

Many people dream of sailing from island to island, exploring the world’s best beaches and ports. What if you could do that while making money? Sounds like an impossible dream, right. The truth is, there are lots of different types of cruise ship jobs available around the world. There are long term positions, short term positions and everything in between. It can be a great way to meet new people, travel the world all while saving some hard earned cash. Finding information on advice for landing a great cruise ship job can be hard to find, so that’s why we’ve come up with an article containing lots of useful advice for working on a cruise ship:

What Kind Of Jobs Are There on a Cruise Ship?

If you’ve been on a cruise ship, think back to all the staff you saw working on board. Cruise ships are essentially floating resorts, so there’s a need for bar staff, restaurant staff, cleaning staff, photography staff, entertainment staff, and the list goes on. There are over 300 types of jobs abroad cruise ships, so chances are whatever your interests are in terms of hospitality, you’ll be able to find something to suit.

How Do I Find a Job?

You can go through an agency or you can apply directly to the cruise ship. It’s important to do a bit of research into the different cruise lines as there tends to be quite a variation in pay, standards and working hours depending on the company. Find reviews of others who have worked on ships and enjoyed their time. Talk to friends and family and see if anyone knows anyone who has personally worked on a ship. The application process is similar to most jobs, you’ll likely have to fill out some forms as well as send along a CV. Often successful companies add in new ships to their fleets and that is the best time to apply as they’ll be needing a whole new set of staff.

The biggest piece of advice I have is: Start looking early. The application process can take a while, so we suggest starting to applying up to three months before you want to start work. That way you can have something in the bag with enough time to spare.

Can I work for a Short Time or During the Holidays?

While a lot of cruise ship companies want to hire you for a longer term, there are some that higher extra staff during the peak times of years. This will vary a lot from company to company, but it pays to hunt around. It can be a great way to get a “tester” of what it is like working in a cruise ship without the commitment. Many people find it a great way to boost their income while studying or being in between jobs. It’s also a very fun and unique experience.

What’s the Pay Like?
The pay is comparable to land jobs, but with a few bonuses: most of the time you don’t have to pay tax on your earnings, you don’t have to pay for food/board, so in the end you end up saving a lot more than you could typically do at home. Pay tends to be between $1,500-3,000 a month and many of the positions warrant considerable tips, too. All-in-all it can be a great way to save a lot of money in a short length of time.

Working on a cruise ship can be an awesome way to make money, new friends and a bunch of savings. If you’ve been thinking about it for a while, start getting more serious about the application process. It might be one of the best things you ever do!

Photo: john willis, kansasphoto and Conor C used under Creative Commons License

South Korea is one of the friendliest, easiest, and best-paying countries for those who want to teach abroad.  Whether you’ve just signed your contract or you’ve already been been here for months, these five tips will make your life easier and help you get more out of your time in the land of kimchi.

Costco and Itaewon: A Foreigner’s Best Friends
It’s true that many foreign items are hard to find in Korea, but that doesn’t mean that you need to pack every comfort of home into your suitcase.  Most foreigners know about Itaewon, the neighborhood surrounding a large American military base in Seoul.  Itaewon caters to Westerners, offering everything from clothing to food to touristy crap to send home.  There are several foreign food stores here, where you can find chicken soup, refried beans, and even Girl Scout cookies.

But before you stock up in Itaewon, consider checking out a Costco membership.  There are nine Costco warehouses in Korea, five of which are in Seoul.  Here you can buy foreign items like cheese, candy, meats, cereals, and fruits that can’t be found anywhere else—except in Itaewon, where the prices are inflated by up to 50% and the expiration dates questionable.  Membership costs just US$35 in Korea, and your card works at any Costco in the world.  Keep in mind, however, that Costco is a bulk seller, and think about bringing a large suitcase to fill up—as an extra bonus, you’ll be sure to have a seat on the subway ride home! 

If Your Job Sucks, Find A New One
Many English schools operate solely for financial gain, and simply don’t care if the students are actually learning English.  These schools typically don’t treat their teachers very well.  Such employers may give you substandard housing, overly-large class sizes, and little help adjusting to a new career and country.  Some teachers even report crooked employers failing to pay their wages.

If you find yourself at such a school, don’t panic.  As long as you’ve got your E2 visa, it’s easy to find a new job.  Chain schools are always hiring, and often cater to teachers unhappy in their current positions.  If you live in Seoul it’s especially easy to find a new gig, but even small towns are likely to have at least a dozen other schools.  Don’t resign yourself to a year of misery. 

Learn A Little Korean
You don’t need to devote yourself to hours of study, but learning to read Hangul (the Korean alphabet) will make life much easier in Korea.  You will also earn points with Koreans by learning a few key words and phrases, such as “please,” “thank you,” and “where is the bathroom.”  Most Koreans know that their language is difficult, and will appreciate your attempts to learn a little.  If you aren’t good with languages, using a translator app on your phone isn’t cheating, it’s being resourceful.

Learning a few customs and culture points is important too.  Always give and receive things with two hands, take off your shoes before entering, and become familiar with a few K-pop bands to impress your students.

Get a Smartphone
If you don’t already have a smartphone, it’s time to join the 21st century.  Nearly 98% of young Koreans own a smartphone, and 73% of the total population has an iPhone or Android device.  It’s easy to buy a new phone, and Korean cellular and mobile internet service is much cheaper and more reliable than in other countries.  Keep in mind, though, that most contracts are for two years, so if you leave after one year, you will need to pay off the remaining cost of your phone.

If you’ve already got a smartphone, make sure it’s relatively new, unlocked, and takes a SIM card before you go.

 Foreigners Get Free Stuff

For some reason, no Korean event is successful without having at least a few foreigners there.  To attract them, many events offer foreigners strange and wonderful bonuses for showing up.  Many companies in Seoul use Facebook to recruit foreigners to free makeup, food, and party events.  Festivals are often free to foreigners, and they sometimes have special ‘foreigner-only’ areas or attractions that are better than the facilities for regular citizens.  Marathons and other races may offer free registration for foreigners, and almost always have lots of valuable freebies only for foreigners, such as running shoes, honey, or pine nuts.  Take advantage of your foreigner status while you can!

Heading over to South Korea to teach English is one of the most exciting ventures people will head off on, but it can be a little scary at first. Using these tips you will be prepared to make the most out of your time in South Korea. Is there anything that you think we’ve left off the list? Let us know in the comments below!