Juggling study and part-time employment in a foreign country may look like an overwhelming proposition; nevertheless, it has its benefits that may far outweigh the shortcomings.
Let us first look at what things to consider before you set out on looking for a part-time job during your education abroad.
- Whether your study-abroad course is a full-time course (this is mandatory for you to work alongside your abroad education)
- Your chosen study-abroad country
- Your previous work experience and skill set
- The subject area you are looking to study.
- Knowledge about any additional tuition fees that come with study in abroad programs or job placement programs.
- Careful investigation of the circumstances under which work is allowed by a country for international students.
- Information about work permits on a country’s embassy websites. (Please note: in most cases, work permits would be required along with a student visa.)
Let us now look at a few benefits of working part-time while doing Master’s in Abroad, or for that matter, even during your undergraduate overseas education.
Helps gain experience in relevant field
While the list of work available to international students may not be exhaustive, service roles in restaurants, supermarkets etc. While this could be true for earlier times, there are ample opportunities these days that could help you add real value to your work profile during your search for full-time jobs in future. For example, you could be a working as a research assistant in your arts/science/humanities department. Again, some countries or universities could also have tie-ups for co-op programs for a certain range of part-time jobs.
Fosters language improvement and culture connect
Well, communication is something that you would be doing all the time during your education abroad. This would not imply, though, that you gain exposure to communication in the professional realm. On the other hand, there would be ample opportunities to expand your knowledge of the native language of your study-abroad destination during your part-time work as an international student. Most importantly, you would gain familiarity with the use of that language in business situations. What’s more, driven by the need to write/speak efficiently, your writings and talks would come peppered with phrases and vocabulary that hold importance in industry and business arena. Now, won’t it be wonderful if you could add the language skills of a certain country to your CV/resume, after completion of your stay abroad?
Additionally, part-time work during your study in abroad could also prove to be your gateway to connecting with people of different cultures in a work environment.
A small but significant step to fund your living costs
Doing a Bachelor’s or Masters in abroad is invariably an expensive proposition. Hence, it stands to reason that the extra earnings (whatever that amount be) you get through your part-time work can help fund your travel needs or your visit to other social events in that country. However, do note that you would be required to have proof of your financial ability to get a Student Visa; it is also not advisable to pursue your study abroad with the intention of working to fund your course.
Beware the legalities!
Just as there are benefits of working part-time while studying abroad, there are also grey areas attached to it—to the extent that it has legal implications. There are many cases where international students (including India) had been even jailed for working beyond stipulated working hours.
Nevertheless, with the guidance of a reliable overseas counselor you would not have to carry that baggage of worries with you. At Hurray, we believe in guiding aspiring study-abroad students the family way. So, let us connect for any help you could be looking for overseas counseling. We guide students through the entire process of abroad education—including accommodation near the university of their choice.
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