Celebrating Global Work Abroad Day

8th February everyone! Remember this date for next year... and every year after that.

Hey, it’s Josh, your favourite (and only) Community Manager here at JENZA. This is my first blog for the JENZA community, so bear with me as I put thoughts to keyboard.

This Saturday (8th Feb folks if you didn't get the memo) we're kicking off the first ever celebration of Global Work Abroad Day. Why? Well, there’s a National Hot Dog Day but no day that celebrates working holidays?! We feel like that needs to change.

Also, we want to create a day for our community of travellers to make some noise online, share their experience overseas, and connect with other like minded humans. Plus, you might inspire someone else to have the confidence to do life differently and head off on an adventure too.

So why does JENZA have the cred to create this day?

Well first off, we happen to know a thing or two about working holidays – and we have a whole team of working holiday addicts at JENZA running the show. Including myself.

Queue my work abroad bio...

I’ve always been lucky enough to travel with my family as my mom has made her career in the travel industry (hi, mom!). But let’s take a walk down memory lane to where the love of working abroad began....

• My first somewhat solo trip was a language exchange in France, where I got to stay with a host family in Vienne, France. (Not Vienna as everyone tries to correct me on – I'm not confusing the cities)

• The following year, I did a summer volunteering in Kenya

• After graduating university, I took the first opportunity I could to head abroad and found myself in Shanghai, China at the age of 21

• I came back home and was pretty bored and miserable, staring at a computer screen for my 9-5 so I decided to find a new job abroad and landed in Tokyo just in time for my 24th birthday.

The most valuable things I’ve gotten out of work and travel abroad are the inspiring stories shared and the connections made in hostels, job training sessions, at the airport, etc. Breaking out of the home bubble has taught me a lot about myself and helped me grow. Cliché right? But it's all true.

For example, working in Asia for a few years, I was always the tallest, biggest, darkest person in the room. For someone with a lot of social anxiety, standing out every day wouldn’t let me hide from my anxieties and instead forced me to find ways to step out of my comfort zone and get a bit more comfortable with myself. Also, I feel like surrounding yourself with people you admire helps you take on their traits that you love, and I’m telling you the coolest people you’ll meet are those who are just out travelling and enjoying what the world has to offer.

But enough about me, we’ll save the details for the sequel. Let’s get back to the day of celebration.

How to get involved

• Share your favourite photos and videos on social on 8th Feb, 2025

• Don't overthink the caption. Write a few words, a sentence or two about the funny memories and shout-outs that are popping in your head right now as you’re reading this

• Use the hashtag #WorkAbroadDay so we can check out your posts too

• Tag us as we’d love to have you be a part of this community day - @jenzatravel

I can’t thank you enough for being a part of this day. If you want to be involved with future community days, follow our Instagram or TikTok or reach out to us on there in the DMs. I wish you all a great Global Work Abroad Day!