Working overseas to boost your turf and groundscare experience can be a fantastic move, but first, you need to figure out if you can actually afford to go
The cost of working abroad can vary significantly. You might find a job that includes accommodation, meals, and transport, which will only need a small income once you get there. But a higher wage job could still leave you out of pocket once you’ve paid for rent and transport, if these aren’t included with the position.
So it’s really worth looking at the real cost of the opportunity, not just the salary.
At International Greenkeepers For Hire, we’ve helped hundreds of people find greenkeeping and turfcare opportunities all over the world. In this guide, we’ve outlined some of the costs you should think about before you make the leap.
What Do You Need to Pay For Before You Take Off?
Your first costs are likely to crop up well before your first day at work. Depending on where you’re travelling to, you might need to pay for:
- Flights, or whatever other travel you need to get there
- Visas and work permits
- Travel or health insurance
- Luggage fees
- Getting to the airport
- Temporary accommodation
- Any documents you need
- Emergency cash
Don’t assume your employer will cover all these expenses. Get the details straight and find out if and when any reimbursements will be covered.
Even if your employer is paying for your flight, for instance, you might still have to pay for it initially yourself and claim it back later. You need to know if you can cover that initial expense.
Is Accommodation Included Worth Going For?
Accommodation can make a huge difference to how affordable working overseas is. If you’re heading somewhere for a short-term placement or tournament, a job that includes accommodation can save you a lot of money. Plus, you won’t have to worry about sorting out somewhere to live in a new country.
Just make sure you know what “accommodation included” actually means. Is it completely free? Do you have your own room? Are the bills covered? How far is it from work? Do you need a car to get there?
You might also be sharing with other team members, particularly with seasonal and temporary roles.
None of these things are good or bad in themselves! Just make sure you have the full picture before comparing it to another job.
What Will Your Day-to-Day Living Costs Be?
Once you’ve arrived in another country, you’ll need to think about what a normal week will cost. Food is an obvious one, but there are lots of smaller costs, too, that can add up quickly. You might need to pay for transport, fuel, a local SIM or phone plan, laundry, and other everyday essentials.
Then there are the things you want to do outside of work. If you’re travelling halfway around the world, you’ll probably want to experience your new country while you’re there. And that means budgeting for trips, meals out, socialising, sightseeing, and anything else you plan to enjoy. After all, there isn’t much point working overseas and then realising you can’t afford to do a thing on your days off!
Will You Need a Car?
A car is an easy cost to miss, especially in turf and groundscare. Keep in mind that golf courses and other sports facilities aren’t usually right in the city centre, so public transport might not be an option. Find out how you’ll be expected to get to work before accepting a position.
It might be that you can easily walk or cycle from your accommodation, or there might be good public transport. In some cases, the employer might even provide transport, or you might be able to travel with colleagues.
If you need to buy, hire, or share a car, it’s worth noting that your costs will go up a lot once you factor in fuel and insurance. Because of that, you’ll probably find that a job that includes both accommodation and transport is worth more to you than the salary alone.
Is It Cheaper to Go Overseas With a Friend?
In the right situation, you might be able to save money working overseas by travelling with another greenkeeper or grounds professional. It can also make the experience less daunting, so it’s a good option if you’re keen to work abroad but are worried about feeling like the “odd one out” once you arrive.
If you’re both working in the same area, you might be able to share everything from accommodation to transport, car hire, fuel, and other expenses, which can help you keep your costs down.
That said, this might not be an option with every opportunity, and you shouldn’t turn down a great placement just because nobody else is going. But if two or more positions are available at the same location, it’s worth thinking about what you could save by travelling with someone.
How Much Money Should You Have Before You Go?
So, how much money should you aim to save before you take on an overseas goal? This is a tricky question to answer, as it will depend on your job and living situation once you arrive.
Ideally, your budget should cover your initial travel and setup costs, your living expenses until your first wage arrives, and some extra cash for emergencies. That might look like a couple of hundred pounds, or a couple of thousand.
Some countries also require you to have a certain amount of money in your bank or savings account when you’re entering on a working visa, so check this before you make your arrangements.
Also, make sure to ask when you’ll actually get paid. If the employer pays monthly, you could be overseas for weeks before you see a penny, and you don’t want one unexpected expense to leave you struggling when you’re thousands of miles from home.
Is a Higher Salary Always a Better Deal?
You might be drawn in by an overseas job with a higher salary, but this is one occasion where we wouldn’t prioritise your earnings. Salary is just one part of the equation.
Let’s say…
- One employer offers you a higher wage but leaves you to sort out your own accommodation and transport
- Another one pays a bit less but gives you free accommodation, meals while you’re working, and transportation to the facility.
The lower-paying job might still leave you with more money in your pocket at the end of each month, which is why it’s so important to look at the bigger picture when you’re comparing your options.
Here are the costs to consider and the questions to ask when you’re choosing between overseas jobs:
| Cost | Questions to Ask |
|---|---|
| Salary | What will I actually take home? |
| Accommodation | Is it included, subsidised or paid for by me? |
| Bills | Are utilities and internet included? |
| Flights | Does the employer contribute towards travel? |
| Visa | Who pays the application costs? |
| Insurance | What cover will I need? |
| Food | Are any meals provided while working? |
| Transport | How will I get to and from work? |
| Local travel | Will I need a car? |
| Pay schedule | When will I receive my first wage? |
Looking at all these things together will give you a much clearer picture of what an opportunity is really worth.
Don’t Forget About Tax and Your Take-Home Pay
A salary that’s advertised for an overseas position isn’t always the amount that’s going to show up in your bank account.
If you’ve only just got your head around your own country’s tax rules, buckle up. These vary from country to country and can depend on how long you’re staying, as well as your visa and work arrangements — and there may be other deductions from your wages too.
Before you start making a budget, ask the employer whether the salary you’ve been quoted is the gross salary or the net amount, and what you can expect to lose to taxes. You can then work out your calculations based on what you’re actually going to take home.
What About Exchange Rates and Sending Money Home?
If you’re being paid in a different currency, the exchange rate is something else to be aware of. This is especially important if you’ve still got financial commitments back home. You might be earning enough to live comfortably in your destination country, but you still need to cover a phone contract, loan, rent or other regular payments.
Bank charges and currency conversion fees can also chip away at the money you send between countries.
If saving money is one of the main reasons you’re working abroad, work out how much you’re likely to have left over once you’ve paid for living costs and what that amount is worth back home.
Should Cost Ever Stop You From Working Overseas?
An overseas job is generally not going to be the most financially smart decision possible. For many professionals in our industry, the experience itself is what makes it worthwhile.
Simply getting the chance to work at a big golf course or a globally renowned sports venue or tournament can be a dream. You’ll be exposed to new techniques, machinery, climates, and approaches to turf management, as well as meeting people, making contacts, and potentially adding valuable experience to your CV that will help you out throughout your career.
But you still need to know that the opportunity is going to be financially realistic for you. As long as you know what you can expect to spend and earn, and what’s included in the package, you should be good to go.
Work Out the Real Cost Before You Say Yes
Want to know what an overseas turf opportunity could realistically cost you? Use our Working Overseas Cost Calculator below to estimate your upfront costs, monthly expenses, and how much you might have left over once you’ve been paid.
Working Overseas Cost Calculator
Thinking about taking a turf or groundscare job overseas? Enter the details below to get a clearer idea of what the opportunity could actually cost you.
1. Your Opportunity
2. Upfront Costs
Include anything you'll need to pay before or shortly after you arrive.
3. Monthly Living Costs
If your employer provides something for free, simply enter 0.
What could this opportunity look like financially?
This calculator provides an estimate only. Actual costs, tax, exchange rates, visa fees and living expenses will vary depending on your destination and circumstances.