Students who have completed their studies abroad can utilize the skills they developed such as communication and networking skills to obtain post-study abroad opportunities.
Are you a student who has recently returned from studying abroad? Kudos, you’ve just made an important step towards personal improvement and growth. Studying abroad is a life-changing experience that can widen your horizons and teach you valuable skills that can help you in the future.
However, returning home after such an immersive experience can be daunting, and many students are unsure of what they should do next.
Today, we’ll explore post-study abroad opportunities and strategies for leveraging your experience to build your career.
Reflection: Identifying the Skills and Knowledge You Acquired
Studying abroad provides numerous opportunities for personal development, cultural understanding, and skill development. Reflecting on your experience allows you to discover the specific skills and knowledge you acquired and start leveraging them to advance your career.
Cultural competence is one of the essential qualities you learned during your study abroad experience. Living in a new country usually requires learning new customs, traditions, and social etiquette. You may have also gained experience with cross-cultural communication, which involves being able to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Employers, particularly those with global operations or clients, highly value these skills.
You would have also picked up language skills while studying abroad. Learning a new language can be beneficial in a variety of jobs, from global commerce to diplomacy. Even if you did not become proficient in a new language, the experience of attempting to communicate in a foreign tongue in your university or student accommodation could help you build communication skills that can be used in any profession.
Another skill you might well have acquired is adaptability. Living and working in a new country demands high adaptability, problem-solving skills, and creativity. These skills can be helpful in any workplace since they reflect your persistence and adaptability in the face of challenges.
Networking: Building Relationships and Connections with International Peers
While you were overseas, you had the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world and build lasting relationships that can benefit your career. Here are some practical examples of how you can leverage your international network:
- LinkedIn: It is a great professional networking platform that can help you remain in touch with your international peers. Connect with the individuals you met while studying abroad, like your amber student accommodation roommates, and keep an eye out for job opportunities and news updates. You never know when a connection developed while studying abroad can lead to a valuable employment opportunity or cooperation later on.
- Social media groups: Many universities have social media groups or alums associations for their international students. Joining these groups can help you remain in touch with other students studying abroad and alums who have moved on to work in your industry.
- Professional organisations: Many professional organisations cater to individuals in specific disciplines or businesses, and many have international chapters. Joining a professional organisation and attending its events could be a great way to meet individuals from other countries who work in your industry.
Volunteering and Internship Opportunities: Gaining Hands-On Experience in Your Field of Interest
Gaining hands-on experience in your subject of interest is one of the most effective ways to use your study abroad experience and advance your career. Volunteering and internship options are two excellent ways to put the skills you gained while abroad to practice.
Volunteering is an excellent opportunity to give back to your community while also gaining useful career experience. Many Non-Profit and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) provide volunteer opportunities in a wide range of sectors, including education, healthcare, social services, and environmental protection. You can obtain valuable skills, network with people in your field of interest, and improve your resume by volunteering.
Internships are also an excellent method to obtain practical experience and further your career. Companies and organisations provide internships to students and new graduates, which allow you to work in your field of interest and gain hands-on experience.
Graduate School Opportunities: Using Your Study Abroad Experience to Enhance Your Graduate Studies
Studying abroad can be a life-changing opportunity that expands your perspectives and provides valuable skills and information to help you succeed in graduate studies. Graduate programs prefer well-rounded individuals with various experiences, and studying abroad can help you stand out from the crowd.
Consider pursuing a graduate degree relevant to your study abroad experience. For example, if you studied in Italy and were interested in Italian art and culture, you could pursue a graduate degree in art history. This will enable you to further explore your field of interest and show your enthusiasm for it.
Your study abroad experience can also be used in research projects and papers. Your expertise can give you a distinct perspective on a subject, which you can employ to bring dimension and depth to your writing. Furthermore, the skills you learned abroad, such as cross-cultural communication and flexibility, can help you flourish in your graduate studies.
Conclusion
We hope this article helps you to understand post-study abroad opportunities and strategies for leveraging your experience to build your career. If you have any suggestions, feel free to comment on them.
