Working abroad is a dream of many. Immerse yourself in a foreign culture, get to know the country and its people, and learn a foreign language? This and much more is what people expect. But not only in the social field, also for the career foreign experience can be valuable. Find out below what advantages you gain when you spend time abroad and how you can find work abroad.
12 advantages of working abroad
Going abroad for a job for a period of time isn't just a great way to get to know a foreign country. Consider it because of the following 12 benefits:
- Expanding your personal horizons beyond your comfort zone
- Making new international friends
- Deepen your foreign language skills
- Gain independence and self-reliance
- Strengthening self-confidence by overcoming challenges
- Dealing with new cultures, different ways of thinking and mentalities
- Strengthen adaptability to new situations
- Gain new perspectives on life
- Work where others go on vacation
- International experience as a bonus on your resume
- Knowledge of other work cultures and mentalities
- Expanding your professional network
Opportunities: How do I find work abroad?
There are several ways you can find a job abroad. Find below a list of opportunities that are available:
- Work for a foreign branch or subsidiary of a company
- Look directly for a job abroad
- Professional internship or stagiaire program abroad
- Volunteer with an aid organization
- Take advantage of a work and travel offer from a professional provider
- Search for international job offers on job platforms
- Choose a degree program - such as hotel management - that offers international internships
Read our Internship Story: Marriott International in Singapore
Find more information and tips from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA at the following link: Working abroad
What do I have to consider if I want to work abroad?
There are some formalities and conditions to clarify before looking for a job abroad. The following points should be considered before taking the plunge:
- Information about visas and work permits: Are you approved for the job abroad?
- Checking the employment contract: Have all the important points been clarified?
- Put wages and cost of living in perspective: Can you afford to live abroad?
- What about taxes? What about insurance and benefits?
- Where will you be able to live? Will it be easy to find a place to live?
- Will you have time to explore the country and its people?
- Who can you turn to for questions and problems
- What do you need to know about culture and mentality? Are there any no go's to be aware of?
A field report
It takes some courage to live and work on another continent for an indefinite period of time. Ivan Breiter
Ivan Breiter graduated from the EHL Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality in Passugg (EHL SSTH), where he already came into contact with different cultures during his everyday studies. At the hotel management school he learned to approach each other, which he sees today as the basis for a successful career abroad.
After his hotel management studies, he completed several post-school internships in hotels and tourism organizations and then took a job with Switzerland Tourism. First he had to earn his spurs at the headquarters in Switzerland, but then he was offered a position first in North America, and then in Singapore.
In the meantime, the once big, wide world has become mine. I can only encourage the hotel management students at EHL SSTH to take the plunge after graduation.
The change at the beginning is not easy, Ivan Breiter also admits. You have to create a new social environment from scratch, some things are a bit more difficult, more expensive or otherwise different than you imagined. Working abroad certainly requires openness and flexibility. But that is exactly the attraction of such a life, you learn infinitely much about others, but especially about yourself. A school of life.
