Life Of Working And Travelling Overseas

For most people, the choice to live and work or volunteer abroad means a large change in what they new at home. Quitting a current job, taking a leave of absence, moving away from friends and family, or simply being brave enough to choose a path less traveled. For many the choice is temporary; a different experience in a different country for a few months and for some, even a few years. It goes without saying that for most people, the choice to leave turned out to be the experience of a lifetime. Languages learned, friendships gained and lifetime memories made. And while the experiences gained from living abroad are some of the most personally rewarding, gaining experience that transfers into something valuable when you return home is priceless.

THE RETURN HOME

For anyone returning home, having something to show for your time abroad is extremely helpful. It aids in the process of procuring a new job or when looking for an interview. Having more than just a gap between jobs shows potential employers that while you decided to end a previous profession you remained dedicated to something productive during your time off. This does several things for your resume besides building character in the eyes of your potential employer. It diversifies your work experience - an incredible advantage when looking for a new job. It naturally sets you apart from your peers who have been experiencing more traditional work and internships. If you lived in a non-English speaking country, and obtained bilingual skills this is an incredible asset for your resume and one that companies and employers are eager to employ. This excellent skill not only makes you a candidate for more jobs but it sets you even further apart from your peers. For companies who have branches abroad, your newly acquired bilingual skills may transfer into other travel and work opportunities.

It's easy then to turn your experience in a foreign country into one that works for you. Using it to enhance your resume and as a forum to build new skills for your return turns your decision to leave a good job at home into an opportunity to return to an even better one!

VOLUNTEERING

Choosing to volunteer overseas is a great choice for numerous reasons. Besides the obvious resume boost, it gives you the opportunity to complete something you might not otherwise have had the time for. For graduate school admissions, volunteer work is highly respected and your time spent doing so may turn into something incredibly valuable for your future. In non-English speaking countries, volunteering is a great way to learn the language without having to pay for classes. In many volunteering opportunities volunteers end up teaching English to young kids who live in at-risk environments while also speaking the local language.

Most volunteer jobs abroad are non-paying and there are several organizations that connect volunteers with organizations in need. However, this usually comes at a cost to the volunteer, so don't get roped into paying too much for the service. There are hundreds of online programs that can assign you volunteer opportunities. While a majority of these profits go to the organizations in need and solidify your place as a volunteer, many volunteers living abroad cannot afford the fees. A little research on your part will land you an excellent volunteer position with no money out of pocket. Asking other expatriates where and how they began volunteering is a great way to start. Getting some contact information from a person at an organization that needs a volunteer is also a great way to go. A little ingenuity on your part will go a long way in taking the time to find the organizations for yourself, rather than paying a company to do it for you.

Expatriates usually love the experience to get to know locals while performing a service which really matters and for a shorter stay abroad volunteering offers some structure that is great for a resume with plenty of time remaining for travel and fun living abroad.

WORKING

Working abroad is perhaps the best scenario for someone who is living in a foreign country. It allows your time abroad to be used doing something productive as well as providing spending money for travel and living expenses. Getting the most out of your work abroad experience means finding a job that not only meets your needs in terms of expenses but also gives you something to work from when you return. Having any kind of work experience in a foreign country sets you apart from your peers however, if your work experience is in a field related to your work interests at home you're at an even greater advantage. For many young expatriates however, a job is simply a means of earning money so they can remain abroad. And while teaching English for instance isn't exactly the most ideal job description for some, it can be used to show diversity in work experience and used to outline other advantageous skills that were acquired during your time abroad.

Teaching English abroad is one of the most popular jobs for expatriates and takes many forms. For those with previous teaching degrees and experiences, the job may be more formal, teaching English to classrooms in schools and universities. Expatriates without teaching experience or degrees are usually paired up with older students who desire to learn English in the context of their profession. This is where business, science and other backgrounds besides teaching are advantageous. For instance someone with a background in business is often paired up with a working professional who needs to learn English for business. These relationships often lead to a deeper knowledge of the profession and can often segue to other jobs and relationships. While some jobs don't directly relate as clearly to a professional interest, the simple act of working in a foreign country means setting yourself apart from others in the work field. It is truly a unique experience; one that certainly requires you work hard and one that conversely should work hard for you.

Too many people look at an experience abroad as a departure from a work or educational path that will slow you down. And while the decision to leave a secure line of work for something unknown is often risky or scary, it rarely turns out to be a mistake. In fact, nearly every person returning from an experience abroad will tell you it was one of the best decisions of their life. With a little forethought and inventiveness, your life abroad can become one of the largest stepping-stones of your education or career.