Work and Travel in Marshall Islands

VOLUNTEER AND PAID WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN MARSHALL ISLANDS FOR TRAVELLERS

The Marshall Islands are a Pacific country and an associated state of the United States of America. Few other tourists come here, so when you travel in the Marshall Islands you’re adventuring in a place backpackers don’t usually go. If you’re looking for volunteering opportunities in the Marshall Islands, you’re in right place.

This travel guide to the Marshall Islands will show you everything you need to know about travel in a place few backpackers go.

1. Teach English in the Marshall Islands

Despite being in close association with the United States, the official language of the country is actually Marshallese. But the government of the country wants to make English an official language and ensure that the vast majority of the population speaks it.

Native English speakers are in high demand and you’ll have the chance to teach English in the country if you take the time to travel here.

The majority of positions require at least a TEFL qualification, but you’ll be able to find work in the Marshall Islands on a private basis if you don’t have anything formal.

2. Clean Up the Coastline of the Marshall Islands

Another option for work and travel in the Marshall Islands is to help the clean up of the coastline. Conservation efforts have been stepped up in recent years.

Previously, freshwater supplies have been depleted and the remnants of oil and industrial production have been dumped into the ocean.

Groups are helping to clean up the coastline and to ensure that the Marshall Islands are clean for future generations.

3. Help with the Neutering Program in the Marshall Islands

Anyone who decides to travel in the Marshall Islands will become perfectly aware that the country has a major problem with stray dogs. Charities have stepped in to try to solve this problem.

Through spraying feral dogs, they will be unable to reproduce and therefore avoid continuing the vicious cycle. You can play a part in this and make a difference to the quality of life on the island.

VOLUNTEER WORK VISA / PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR MARSHALL ISLANDS

Work in the Marshall Islands is easier than you might think because of the liberal and open visa policy of the country. There are few nations that require a visa to visit the country.

For a start, the US and the whole of the Schengen Zone can enter the country for 90 days without getting any form of visa.

However, if you’re from somewhere else you don’t need to worry. UK citizens, Canadians, Mexicans, the Japanese, South Koreans, Australians, and Kiwis can get a visa-on-arrival that’s also valid for 90 days. For more info click here. The same goes for both Russians and South Africans.

In practice this is exactly the same process as entering the country without a visa, minus having to fill in a form. They’re both valid for the same length of time.

If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you will need to visit a Marshall Islands embassy in advance.

SEASONAL BACKPACKER SKILLS NEEDED IN MARSHALL ISLANDS

SPRING WORK

The Marshall Islands technically has a rainy season lasting from April all the way to the end of the year, but there’s some more diversity than that.

Take note that the severity of the rainy season typically depends on the atoll. Majuro has so little variation in rainfall that the season is practically the same the whole year.

The spring sees some rain, but not as much as you might think. It’s a great time to help with the clean up of the coastline and even some ocean conservation projects.

SUMMER JOBS

The summer season is where rainfall reaches its most intense. You’ll see heavy rains until the start of autumn as you travel in the Marshall Islands. For this reason, the summer is the worst time of year to work and travel in the Marshall Islands.

However, if you happen to be here there are still volunteering opportunities in the Marshall Islands. The main choice for backpackers is teaching English. You won’t have to worry about the rain but you’ll still be able to make a huge difference.

Another option could involve working in an orphanage. Orphanages in the Marshall Islands are always looking for volunteers. Some of your tasks will include: playing with the children, helping them with their homework, and general maintenance of the building.

AUTUMN

The autumn season is the beginning of the end of the rainy season. However, we recommend the indoor projects. These can be found in the ‘Summer’ section. They will give you a good idea of some of the different things you can do in autumn.

WINTER

The winter is the best time of year to work in the Marshall Islands. It’s the dry season and practically every type of volunteering project is available.

It’s an excellent period of the year to work with animals. You’ll be spending your time mainly outdoors helping the animals and supporting teams as they go about their business.

Animal protection projects range from the neutering of dogs to taking abandoned animals off the streets and finding them new homes.

ATTITUDE TO FOREIGNERS WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING IN MARSHALL ISLANDS

The Marshall Islands hosts a collection of Western and Pacific influences. The country relies almost entirely on aid coming from the US, so the country is poorer than the pictures of the luxury resorts might first indicate.

Take note that the people of the Marshall Islands are friendly but are largely isolated from the rest of the world, with the majority of the population never leaving the atolls. They’ll be extremely curious about where you come from and how things work in your country.

Finally, be aware that not all the atolls are able to be explored. The US detonated a number of nuclear bombs decades ago and these atolls are now unliveable. There are still US military bases in the country, so expect to encounter members of the US armed forces during your stay.

Do you want to work and travel in the Marshall Islands?