Studying abroad can be expensive, hence the reason why internships and job opportunities have been made available for international students.
As an international student, you have options of securing part time jobs or internships that helps you pay extra bills, finance travels and leisure activities that would otherwise be beyond your budget, but there are a few things you need to consider when looking out for a job such as the laws of the country you are studying in, will it give you enough time to study, is the job experience beneficial & will it open future opportunities for you etc.
Below are a few advantages of working while studying abroad;
Advantages of Gaining International Experience As A Student
Personal Growth
Working while studying as a student will help you discover your strengths and weaknesses. It helps you develop skills like communication and decision-making skills.
Living and studying abroad allows you to harness skills in versatility and readiness. As you are making decisions, solving problems and adapting to unfamiliar people, places and cultures. With all these skills gained, you will be ready for the real world when you are done studying.
Professional Growth
Living and studying abroad helps you develop both soft and hard skills you need to succeed in any industry. Below are examples of professional skills you would develop;
- Problem-Solving Skills: Being able to solve issues in a foreign land is needed for you to overcome challenges and adapt to whatever environment you find yourself in. While working during your studies abroad, your ability to solve problems and your confidence in decision making will grow.
- Leadership: Living and studying abroad in a new country requires self-sufficiency and independence. Without your friends’ and family’s help and guidance, you learn to manage yourself, which would translate to leadership in the workplace.
- Adaptability: International experience requires you to be flexible and adaptable to new situations. By working abroad, you might become more comfortable when situations change quickly or unexpectedly.
- Teamwork: Living in a different country allows you to work with people of all backgrounds. Working while studying will help you develop advanced social skills and learn to collaborate with individuals who have different perspectives from your own and this experience will help you become a better team member in the workplace.
Other professional skills you get to develop include empathy, decision-making, critical thinking, creativity and initiative.
Global Networking
Working and studying in another country, you build an international network with friends and colleagues. These contacts are very important when you start looking out for job opportunities. You can also learn about global development and industry trends from your network.
Cultural Sensitivity
When living abroad, you will be surrounded by people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
While working with these people, you become comfortable interacting with all types of people and be more understanding of different views and beliefs. These are skills employers value in the workplace.
Bilingualism
Working with people from different backgrounds and cultures helps you understand their language. You might be able to pick up a phrase or even learn basic words that aids your communication with them and with time you would find yourself becoming fluent.
Speaking multiple languages can be an advantage when applying for jobs later on and would be beneficial when you have to communicate with customers or clients that speak your second language.
Now you are aware of the advantages of working while studying, below are a few job ideas you can do as an international students;
Job Ideas For International Students
Working-On-Campus
This is one of the most common ways to work as a student. In some countries, students are only allowed to work for the first year of their undergraduate studies.
There are so many jobs available while working on campus such as working in the writing centers, teaching assistant, and working in the cafeteria.
Restaurants and Bars
There are plenty of jobs offered at bars, cafes and restaurants around towns and this can be the easiest way to find a job.
Restaurants are always on the lookout for help, so there is a good chance you will find a job relatively easy. You can work as a bar staff, waiter or even in the kitchen depending on your experience and skills.
Call Centers
Working in a call center is a good choice for those who are communicative, friendly and confident in their language and/or computer skills.
Additionally. call centers jobs are not physically demanding, so this job is suitable for someone who loves or needs an office environment.
Volunteering
This is one of the most rewarding and exciting jobs. One benefit of volunteering is that there is a wide range of opportunities available, so there is a good chance you get to choose a role you enjoy.
Many companies are looking out for volunteers which is a great way international students can start working for an organization or company while gaining experience.
Summer Jobs
If you are not comfortable working during the school period, finding a part-time or full-time job during summer when there’s no class is an option for you.
Advantage of summer jobs is that you are allowed to work full-time which is allowed on student visa depending on the country you are studying in.
Store Manager
The boutiques are a good place to work, if you are a fashion lover. Working as a store manager involves storing merchandise, maintaining display areas, welcoming and helping customers issues.
This position requires little or no sales experience, they majorly lookout for someone with the right personality and style.
Student Union
Working in the student union is a great opportunity to demonstrate that you can work in a professional, lively, fast-paced workspace with student members and provide first-class services and activities.
Student Ambassador
If you are outgoing, friendly and enjoy working with people, you will enjoy being a brand ambassador. Similar to promotional work, you will represent a popular brand and promote its benefit to students like you.
Your role as an influencer will most likely require skills such as email marketing, social media management, and sales. It is a great starting job for anyone looking to get into business management or branding and marketing and communications.
Customer-Service Related Jobs
A common way to start your professional journey may be through customer service-related jobs.
Customer service-related jobs can be part-time and it is always first time job seekers that are likely to learn on the job. Some companies or organizations offer training or professional development to gradually progress your time within the organization.
If you enjoy interacting with people, you might want to consider this job.
Internship
It is possible for you to find an internship with a company relevant to your field of study. Being an intern gives you much-needed experience and opens up many opportunities such as being hired by the company once you are done with your studies.
Either way, an internship will give a lot of experience relevant to your field of study. Below are a few internship opportunities opened to international students in 2023.
Internship Opportunities For International Student In 2023
- UNHCR Internship Program
- FAO Internship Program
- Microsoft Internship Program
- IST Internship Program In Austria
- CERN short term paid internship program in Switzerland
- Apple Internship Program
- Erasmus Mundus Internship Program
- SAP Cybersecurity Online Internship Program
- UNDP Internship Program
- Deloitte Australia Online Internship
Final Thoughts
Now that you are aware of the internship and job opportunities available to international students, you do not want to miss out on this opportunity.
Get started with your study abroad goals by booking a consultation call with our counselor for guidance, if you are interested in studying in countries like the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia and other European countries.
Also, if you are looking to applying for scholarships abroad, feel free to join our “Scholarship Mentorship with Mundus,” where you can get a step-by-step guide to getting a scholarship approved, get your documents reviewed, access document samples, links to scholarship registration, join a community of like minded people and a lot more.
To join the “Scholarship mentorship with Mundus,” contact us through; WhatsApp-07069537752 or send an email to office@mundusconsult.com.
Lastly, gain access to our monthly webinars, updates on scholarships and study abroad tips by joining our community on Telegram.