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Packs Light
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PTO 💸🌍

No, not your work vacation time—I'm talking about paid travel opportunities! The term I invented to encompass all of the funded programs, scholarships, remote PTO, student grants, contests, and more that pay you to travel.

We bring awareness to paid travel opportunities that help you travel for school, for work, for fun—for free.

GO TO THE PTO DASHBOARD!

PTO PRODUCTS

Helping you apply and win, ASAP. (scroll right ➝)

Intro to PTO Course

Opportunity Tracking Spreadsheet

Application Tool-Kit

How to Take $10K Trips (For FREE)

Delusional Confidence Workbook

"Should I Apply to This" Calculator

Sponsored PTO Dashboard Listing

POPULAR PTO RESOURCES

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1

What is a PTO?

  • 4 mins
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2

How I Won $40K in Study Abroad Scholarships

  • 5 mins
How to Travel With Student Loans

3

Study Abroad Scholarships for High School Students

  • 3 mins

4

PTO for African Nationals

  • coming soon
Winners Wall_Taylor Inglut

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See Past PTO Winners!

  • 1 mins
Winners Wall_Taylor Inglut

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See Past Packs Light PTO Winners!

  • 1 mins

6

How to WIN with your Video Submission

  • 3 mins

6

How to WIN with your Video Submission

  • 3 mins
Opportunities South Korea

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How I Studied Abroad for Free in Korea... AFTER Graduation!

  • coming soon
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5 Common Application Questions to Practice Answering

  • 2 mins

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How to Travel the U.S. for Free with the Conservation Corps

  • 4 mins
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Get PAID to Teach English Abroad in Europe!

  • 2 mins
WHAT IS A PTO INTRO + STORY_Graphic

watch the "What are PTO?" EXPLAINER VIDEO!

Feeling totally lost? 😅

Start with these PTO FAQ! 👇🏽

Getting started...

PTO 101

Paid travel opportunities (PTO) make travel accessible by taking away financial, logistical, and mental barriers that restrict many people! Start learning more about them:

What is a PTO?

PTO (noun): any program or opportunity that has an element of travel and is partially or completely funded, paid, or free to do. (Read more and see examples here)

What is the PTO Dashboard?

The PTO Dashboard is Packs Light's database of PTO. Through the dashboard (and our Weekly PTO Newsletter) we curate information, application tips, and links for all of these incredible travel opportunities.

Can I apply to PTO if I'm not American?

Do you have to be a certain citizenship to apply to job? In some cases. Packs Light's audience is 90% U.S. citizens, so the opportunities we share cater to them.

But remember: everyone may not be eligible for every opportunity, but there are opportunities for everyone.

Do you have to be a student to apply to PTO?

No! There are many PTO that don't even mention age or student status as a requirement. You can be a 14-year-old high school student or 40-year-old mom and find a PTO that works for you.

...What's the catch?

Very few of these opportunities are scams, actually. You're usually trading your time and your story, or the company is getting aa tax break from offering the opportunity.

Learn more in our Finding Opportunities online course!

Can I travel full-time using these PTO?

No. These are usually short-term, one-off opportunities that have an element of travel.

If you want to travel full-time, check out our resources on becoming a paid travel influencer, or finding a remote job and living as a digital nomad! (coming soon)

Where can I learn more?

Take our free PTO Crash Course—it takes 6 minutes and will be exactly what you need to get startred!

Seeking PTO

How to find PTO that fit your dreams, wants, and needs.

Not every PTO fits every person. And even our PTO Dashboard doesn't have every single one out there! So we're teaching you how to fish for your own opportunities!

Which PTO would fit me best?

Check out our PTO Phase of Life graphic to see which PTO you should keep an out for most.

Take our Which PTO Am I? Quiz and see! (coming soon)

How do you avoid scams?

Rest easy: 99% of these PTO are not scams. But watch this short video with tips and things to look out for, just in case.

Learn more in our Finding PTO online course! (coming soon)

I'm ______ and I need help finding PTO for me! Can I talk to you?

Because of the immense requests we get daily, I can only do 1-on-1 consultations via booking ($180 for 30 mins). We have so many free and paid resources to get you started right on this page! Take advantage.

I only want to apply to PTO I have a good chance of winning! How can I tell?

Our Should I Apply? Calculator will tell you your exact chances of success. Stop wasting your time and energy, and only apply to the things you'll win!

Found in our Application Tool-Kit.

I found a PTO that I'm interested in but it's past the deadline... now what?

Probably. Read this caption for more reasons why you should #ApplyAnyway.

Get more information in the Finding Opportunities course (coming soon).

What's the best way to keep track of all the things I want to apply to?

What gets measured, get's managed. Use an interactive spreadsheet to keep tabs on all the opportunities you're keeping aan eye on.

Grab our pre-done Opportunity Tracking Spreadsheet today!

I found a PTO and I want to submit it to be in the PTO Dashboard!

Thank you! We love you. 💗

Submit PTO to be shown on the Dashboard, here.

Winning PTO

Finding them is the easy part. Actually winning? That takes strategy.

Learning, finding and making big lists of PTO means nothing if you don't actually 1) Press submit and apply, and 2) Win! We can help you with that.

Do people actually win these things?

Yes! Check out the Packs Light PTO Winners Wall to see past PTO Winners.

I need to submit a video application! Help!

Lesson 4 of our Winning PTO online course dives head-first into how to submit a “YES!”-worthy video application, with a bonus module hosted by viral video creator Dear Alyne, who has 15M+ followers!

Letters of Recommendation... Who do I ask? What maakes a good ones?

Our Application Tool-Kit has in-depth Letter of Recommendation (LOR) examples and tips on who to ask and how to get them to write you the PERFECT reference letter!

Do you have example application essays/videos?

I walk you through an example application on this post, teach you 5 common question to practice answering here, and my YouTube channel has a playlist with every video application I've ever submitted.

Need more tips on making your own? You need the Winning PTO course (coming soon), or a 1-on-1 session with me!

I need tips on focusing and productivity to actually apply for the things I want!

Here are some productivity tips to help you get to “submit”!

I have a specific PTO I want to win and I really want 1-on-1 help. Please!

Book a 1-on-1 appointment with me!

(Unfortunately because of the many emails I get daily, we will likely miss it if you send a message through the contact form 🙁 )

WANT MORE? FOLLOW ME ON

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RECENT PTO BLOG POSTS

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I Went to Fiji For Free: The Surprising Way YOU Could Have, Too!

Reading Time: 6 minutes Here's how I won a free trip to Fiji, and you can too! Learn how to travel for free and even get paid to travel when you apply to PTOs.

Read More >

How to answer “Tell us about yourself” (and 5 more common application questions)

Reading Time: 3 minutes The most common questions on travel scholarships and contests you should be ready to answer at the drop of a hat. So: tell us about yourself!

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Study Abroad Scholarships: How I Won $40,000 and How You Can Too!

Reading Time: 7 minutes Education abroad and study abroad scholarships are two elements of university life that are misunderstood, underutilized, and shrouded in mystery  Luckily, I've decoded the puzzle of applying to and successfully winning this …

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Reading Time: 4 minutes Find out 3 simple ways you can study abroad in Spain as an American student (maybe even for free, with study abroad scholarships!)

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What is a PTO? How to Travel and Study Abroad For Free

Reading Time: 3 minutes You won't find our version of ‘PTO' in the dictionary. It’s the term I've coined to encompass all the different types of opportunities that I find and share, that have an element of travel!

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Reading Time: 8 minutes Kelsey shares how she traveled the Southwest U.S. for free by volunteering with AmeriCorps and the Conservation Corps for 3 months.

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How to Do a TED Talk: Tips to Apply, Audition, and Take the Stage

Reading Time: 5 minutes Tips on how to do your first TEDx Talk: pitching, applying, and speaking your first TEDx talk and up-level your public speaking!

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Studying Abroad This Fall? Here's How You Can Still do Halloween!

Reading Time: 8 minutes If you thought venturing into the world solo to study abroad scary, just wait till you see what spooky places waiting just around the corner, at these Top 12 international education destinations!

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Apply to Win! How to Win Travel Contests, Step by Step with an Expert

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Solo Female Travel

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Gen Z Travel

FOLLOW ME

raise your hand if this you 🥹🙋🏽‍♀️ raise your hand if this you 🥹🙋🏽‍♀️

I’m looking for ya!

follow me @packslight for your travel inspo and "make it happen" tips ☺️✈️
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#travelgram #traveltiktok #digitalnomads #travelbucketlist #seetheworld #blacktravel #solofemaletravel #solotravel #traveltips
STORYTIME! 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 [TAG A FRIEND STORYTIME! 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

[TAG A FRIEND you'd do a bucket list trip like this with!]

So just before I turned 24 I was still working my 9-5 job as an engineer, but I knew I wanted to do something big for my birthday... I decided to take a look at my bucket list (you can see it at packslight.com/bucketlist) and…

🤩🤩🤩 I saw the PERFECT idea 🤩

“I should drive to the airport right as it opens, and book the cheapest, earliest flight anywhere interesting that day!”

With just a passport, prayers for no-visa-needed, a carry-on suitcase with lots of layers, and my savings. This would not be a cost-effective or stress-free trip... but it would be BUCKET LIST.

I told my friend @hannahskhan about my plan and as my staple "Yes tell me when and where" travel friend, she was down!

We got to BWI airport at 4AM with just our carryons and a dream. And after going from South West to Jet Blue to United (skipping the long Spirit line)... we ended up on a @delta flight to the U.S. Virgin Islands!

You can find the behind-the-scenes of how much the trip ended up costing us in my Bucketlist Behavior playlist on YouTube (search "Packs Light"!) 😅

But to this day, it's one of my *favorite* adventures I've been on! and definitely sign that I'm obsessed with traveling and will try anything once 😉🪂✈️

Tag a friend to see if they would take a bucket list trip like this with you, OR tell me what you need to go to travel rehab for 😂

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#traveltok #bucketlisttravel #adventurevibes #bucketlist #adventuregirls #traveltheworld #travelblogger #travelstoke
[SHARE + COMMENT if you’re on the same wavelengt [SHARE + COMMENT if you’re on the same wavelength! ☀️]

Like I’m obsessed with expanding my idea of what’s possible in life!

We really are the sum of who we surround ourselves with. And I’m building community with people who feel radiate good energy like sunshine and love themselves fiercely, because I’m obsessed with being the same for them

Grateful for those in my life who always see my greatest potential and encourage me to climb to new heights 🫶🏽
When all of the planning, saving, and waiting pays When all of the planning, saving, and waiting pays off and it’s finally palm trees 🌴 and 80° 💦

[SHARE THIS!]

A huge lobster tail as a welcome meal probably doesn’t hurt either 🥹🤤

📍 @hendoshideoutbvi 

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#bvi #britishvirginislands #bvilove #caribbean #travelgirls #travel #bucketlisttravel #bucketlistvacations
SAVE THIS BVI ITINERARY 📌🇻🇬 🗺️ WHER SAVE THIS BVI ITINERARY 📌🇻🇬

🗺️ WHERE?
@britishvirginis is a 2.5 hour flight from Miami (direct flights to BVI begin July 2023!) and a 30 min flight from Puerto Rico!

I visited 8 islands in 5 days: Tortola, Scrub Island, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada, Beef Island, Treasure Island, Cooper Island… there are tons of ferry’s, and if you have a boat you can visit even more!

🏨 WHERE TO STAY?
I stayed at @scrubisland_bvi because I’m a @marriottbonvoy girl, and it was on my bucket list~

As far as islands, I would stay on or near Tortola or Virgin Gorda for easier access to the other islands, or even better on a charter boat so you can go where you want 😍

🍽️ WHAT TO EAT/DRINK
🍛 conch fritters and ceviche
🍛 Anegada lobster 🦞
🍛 fish and fungi
🍛 fried plantains
🍹 Painkiller
🍹 Bushwhacker 
🍹 Rum punch

🍸 MY FAV BARS:
@willytbvi
@hendoshideoutbvi 
@soggydollarbar 
@cooperislandbvi 
@anegadabeachclub
@foxysbvi 

🤸🏽‍♀️ THINGS TO DO
🧖🏽‍♀️ Visit @theoceanspabvi, the only floating spa in the Caribbean (and where we saw 3 sea turtles!)
🪂 Kite surfing lessons in Anegada with @tommygauntkitesurfing 
🐚 See the Conch Shell Island with @sherwinsseaadventures (and fall in love with the sea dog Oreo! 🐶)
🌝 Howl at the moon at @trellisbar_grill monthly Full Moon Party! 

See my last Reel for the local-owned hidden gems 💎 you can’t miss while in BVI 🫶🏽

#ad #bvi #bvilove #britishvirginislands #caribbeantravel #caribbeanvacation #beautifulplaces #islandvibes #blacktravel #blackgirlstraveltoo
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    • ✨ The PTO Dashboard
  • How to Become a Travel Influencer
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  • Gen Z Travel Research Study (2020)
  • Young Travelers Network FB Group

Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Packs Light

Packs Light
  • Start Here
    • About
    • My Travel Bucket List
    • “Where I’ve Been” Map
    • FAQ
  • Destinations
    • Bucket Lists
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Mexico
      • Puerto Rico
      • United States
      • U.S. Virgin Islands
    • Middle East
      • Oman
      • United Arab Emirates
    • Europe
      • England
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • The Netherlands
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • Spain
        • Canary Islands
      • Sweden
    • Asia
      • Japan
      • Republic of Georgia
      • Sri Lanka
      • Thailand
    • South America
      • Colombia
    • Africa
    • Antarctica
  • PTO
    • PTO – Start here!
    • PTO Dashboard
    • What is a “PTO”?
    • PTO Winners Wall 👑
    • Send in to the dashboard!
  • Gen Z
    • Join the YTN Facebook Group!
    • Young Travelers Network Interview Series
    • Young Travel Tips
    • Study Abroad
    • Budget Travel
  • Solo Female Travel
    • Solo Female Travel – Start here!
    • Black Travel
  • Digital Nomad
  • FREE PTO 101 COURSE