Hi Karen,

MyWorldAbroad is a big site. And building high-level international skills is a big undertaking. But to answer your question: We have options for users who are in a rush and just want the essentials, and we also have options for those who are able to invest slightly more time in order to get the comprehensive experience of our full range of advice and resources.

From our perspective, the ideal approach to MyWorldAbroad is to learn with the guide over an extended period of time, revisiting topics, re-evaluating your skills as you build experience. For this, you would visit “The 4 BIG Things” menu item on the top line of our homepage. This will guide you to the most comprehensive version of the site.

It’s also possible to access crucial information in a shorter amount of time. For this, you’ll visit the “What do you want to do?” menu item from the top bar of the homepage. This version of the site allows you to access only the information you absolutely need for your chosen international adventure.

Wishing you success in your international endeavors and we hope you visit us often! You can also check out the articles listed in In a Rush? (for registered users) for the most essential, quick-to-access international advice.

All the best,

Jean-Marc

Hi Craig,

Just four months abroad can change your life forever. No matter whether you are living in Sweden, volunteering in Ghana or backpacking in Thailand, a trip abroad will alter your perspective on your home country, and on the world as a whole. Most people only have two chances in life to do exciting things: before or during their 20s, when they have few obligations, and after they turn 55, when their children have left home and loan, mortgage and car payments are starting to get paid off. I highly encourage you to take four months off to travel, learn a language, or volunteer abroad. At the very least, the experience will open your eyes to the world, and it might change the course of your career or even your life. Going abroad is a lot easier than most students assume, and this entire Web site is dedicated to inspiring young people like yourself to take the plunge and head abroad. International experiences have personal value, but they also have huge professional value, and you'll thank yourself later if you begin developing your cross-cultural understanding now. So, what's in it for you? Everything!

Get inspired with some practical and easy-to-implement tips for expanding your International IQ with the Quick Guides and check out Why You Need International Skills (for registered users).

Good luck, 

Jean-Marc

There are many characteristics that define a successful international employee, but there is one main trait that stands out as being essential: adaptability.

Ask yourself: “Do I enjoy change?” Your answer to this question will give you an idea of whether you are cut out for work and life abroad. 

People who enjoy international work love the process of adaptation and learning. They can learn to enjoy having soup for breakfast when in India (even though they love bacon and eggs at home) and relish having hot tea in the mid-afternoon sun while in Sri Lanka (even though sweltering heat might seem like the perfect time for a cold drink). Food and drink might be a simple analogy, but they give you the idea: Being open to changes in your daily routine makes you a strong candidate for international work. Communication skills and practical skills associated with your industry will also come in to play, of course, but the quality that ultimately makes international workers different is their love of change, their interest in other cultures, and their love of learning. Check out the Quick Guide The Ideal International Profile (for registered users).

Good luck!
Jean-Marc

Dear Allison

There are always risks associated with being abroad. In my personal opinion, the rewards are generally much greater. When I meet college students, I can quickly tell that some of them are not risk tolerant and they should therefore travel or study only in more Westernized nations, in order to ease in to the process of cultural adaptation. For other students, I know at first glance that they could thrive no matter whether they were in Kenya, India or Hong Kong.

Each individual must assess his or her personal level of risk before traveling. Get up-to-date with the latest areas of major conflict or tension. Maintaining a level of caution is always wise, but I would also suggest not to get caught up in the paranoia created by media sensationalism of bad events abroad. The world has never been more accessible, and there have never been more opportunities to travel, work or volunteer in unusual, challenging and interesting locations. In the end, it is up to you to decide your tolerance for risk, based on careful self-examination and an assessment of your possible destinations.

For more information on coping strategies while living overseas, see [chapter:13] and [chapter:15] (for registered users).

Hope this helps,
Jean-Marc

Hi Chris,

You can probably make your way through much of the world by communicating with basic English, or by simply using gestures and other signals to make yourself understood. But it’s much more satisfying when you can go beyond the basics and talk to locals in their own language. And in most European countries, you will find that they appreciate it when visitors make the effort.

Instead of hopping and jumping between many countries in a short period of time, why not get to know one or two countries particularly well? This way, you can plan to learn some of the languages, get to know some of the cultural traits, and make a deeper connection with the local way of life.

In short, it’s not crucial for you to be fluent in the language of your host country, but it can significantly enrich your experience if you plan to spend any length of time there. And it will also mean that you are able to communicate with locals rather than sticking with tourists. And don’t forget to think long-term: More languages means more professional opportunities. Regardless of what your plans are for your first trip abroad, you should have a plan to learn one or more languages for the sake of your future career.

Check out our articles (for registered users):

• Language Learning & Your International Career
• How to Learn a Language

Best wishes,

Jean-Marc

Hi Katie,

Absolutely! Throughout MyWorldAbroad you’ll find quotes and sample applications from students who have successfully lived, worked, interned, volunteered or traveled abroad. And we’ve collected over 80 Q&As with them in our popular Stories from Abroad section. We are sure that you’ll find plenty of inspiration in this section. And when you have your own adventure abroad, we hope you contribute your story to the section! See the full collection here.

Good luck!

Jean-Marc

Hi Ali,

Sounds like you’re looking to start an international career. That’s great! Trust me, it is an incredibly satisfying way to live and work. International careers are built step-by-step, as you build up your international credentials.

International employers hire people with high International IQs. You need to assure your future international employers that you understand the cross-cultural workplace and that you have the skills to navigate and be successful when working in places that are different from your home.

A word of advice: I strongly suggest that you broaden your horizons in terms of your ideal destination for future international work. By limiting your desired location to Uganda (where you have been before), you may be cutting off extraordinary opportunities in your sector in other areas of the world. I highly recommend that when the time comes to conduct your international job search, you do it based on sector-specific approach, rather than a country-specific one.

By volunteering in Uganda, you are well on your way to gaining strong international skills. Continue building international experience while studying at home by taking every opportunity to work in cross-cultural environments or to go abroad. Take internationally-focused courses. Align yourself with professors who have international interests. In law, you will need to decide if you want to practice private sector law or public international law (PIL).

One key element towards the end of your studies is to land a professional international internship. There are hundreds of internships available for Americans and Canadians alike, start researching them in your first year of law school. I know a number of law students who have created their own internships by writing to well-known international law practitioners (based in Hong Kong and London, for example) and offering their research services in exchange for basic living allowance. You will need this type of experience to crack the market. Be bold (while being diplomatic and gracious) in your pursuits for an international internship. Read International Law Careers (for registered users) for more insights.

All the best,

Jean-Marc

There are fewer and fewer free volunteer NGO experiences to be had. Students almost always have to pay an NGO or a private company to find a volunteer placement position abroad. Some NGOs (especially faith-based NGOs) require that you fundraise to meet your travel and accommodation expenses. Students can save money if they arrange their own placement directly with a third-world NGO, but this is only recommended for those who are very independent and have a high degree of risk tolerance. Students who do choose this route, however, often have more powerful and meaningful cross-cultural experiences.

If you are short on funds and want a more structured experience (with less risk), consider teaching English abroad to finance your stay and seek out volunteer experiences while living in your host country. If you want to teach abroad during the summer months, consider Chile or another South American country. Think about intensifying your cross-cultural learning by pursuing language learning, travel and professional networking while you are abroad. All of these experiences can help students maximize the “professional value” of their time abroad, and the experiences can be subsidized by teaching English.

A summer abroad usually entails periods of two months or less abroad, and while it can be a great start to building your International IQ, it should be noted that this short amount of time is usually not enough to get the experience of full cultural immersion. Students who wish to gain long-term cross-cultural skills should go abroad for four or more months. Consider working in the US for the first two months of your summer break to save some money, and then go abroad for four full months (i.e. take the fall semester off and create a gap semester abroad for yourself).

Check out Volunteer Abroad and NGOs & International Development (for registered users) for more info. 

Hope this helps.
Jean-Marc

Hi Fareed,

In the new world economy, everyone needs global career skills, no matter their location and no matter their vocation. (Read Thomas Friedman’s book The World Is Flat if you get the chance!) I myself run a small business and regularly find myself tapping in to the international resources that are available to me as a result of online connectivity. Last month, for instance, I searched online for “Animation Design Asia” and found an animation artist in Vietnam who created a complex set of characters for my Web site. The whole process took just three days and I paid just $150 for a job well done. That scenario necessitates both me and the hired designer being open to the idea of working internationally, across borders and cultural boundaries.

North American employers have already started to realize just how powerful the new “flat” global economy is, and they have begun hiring based on international and cross-cultural communication skills. These employers are, like me, also opening their horizons to a potential world of employees and professional contacts. For American employees to succeed in the new global economy, they need to be prepared to develop the relevant skills and to build develop international relationships. Can you put together a multiethnic project team? Can you work across time zones? The flexibility and communication skills involved in tasks like these are becoming important credentials for those wanting to succeed in the modern workplace. 

Apart from all this, the experiences that you have overseas will expand your intellect and deepen your worldview. A mature candidate with a high International IQ is a strong hire for any company back home, no matter what the industry. In short, the answer to your question is yes! Get international experience, and make the most of it. See Selling Your International Skills and also consider consulting Job Hunting When You Return (for registered users).

Good luck,
Jean-Marc

Hi Tim,

The short answer is: Yes. The international job hunt is an ongoing process, and in all likelihood, you will find that by building professional networks and connecting with international employers and experts in your field, you will begin opening doors to future success. Did you know that most international jobs are never actually posted to the public? Word of mouth, networks and personal connections are still important for professional success, even in this interconnected, online word.

This is a huge topic, and we deal with it extensively in the MyWorldAbroad site. Building networks, making contacts and inquiring about international positions are all part of a successful job hunt. Check out the articles (for registered users) here:

• Debunking the Myths: The Real Deal on International Work
• The Importance of Networking
• Targeting & Researching International Jobs
• Top Tips: Social Media for Career Success

Good luck!

Jean-Marc

Hi Salima,

First and foremost, even though the prospect of more school seems daunting at this point, if you want to make a career as a lawyer and have the option of living and working in Munich, it may be worth going that extra mile and getting certified in Germany. But, that is a choice you will want to make after you have spent some time there, so here are a few ideas for you in the meantime. Some do involve teaching English, but it may not be in the context you are imagining:

• Teaching law at a university. English is the language of instruction at many institutions of the world these days, especially at the graduate level.
• Work online as a contract lawyer with a US employer
• Take language courses in Munich while teaching English to executives part-time. I have a friend in London, UK who earns $1,200 per day teaching English to executives one-on-one.
• Alternatively, teach English to German lawyers and use these contacts to make links in your field of work.
• Specialize and become an international law consultant [in Public International Law (PIL)] or private sector law. Europe is at your doorstep; your client could be any international organization. You could start by pairing yourself up as a junior consultant with an international law expert in your field of work.
• Law is surely not your only interest. Consider interning, volunteering or working in a field that interests you, but where your skills will come in handy. Consider an NGO or private firm.
• Consider freelancing ideas listed in The Traveling Spouse: Why Work? and Why 50+ Workers Should Go Abroad (for registered users).
• Take time off and enjoy Munich!

Good luck,
Jean-Marc

Hi Scott,

You already have a good basis for demonstrating your cross-cultural skills: studying abroad for a semester in Italy and a month of travel in Europe. You will also be working in a field (computer science) with a strong track record for international employment. The most important thing you can do now is target the type of international employment you are looking for, and then to seek professionals currently working abroad in your field. Ask their advice and tap into their knowledge of the international aspects of your field. For example, you may target short-term work in Ireland or permanent residency in Australia; both of these countries have a tradition of hiring computer specialists. Similarly, you may decide to target working for an NGO or international organization. Each field requires a different set of approaches for landing an international position.

You've given yourself a workable deadline for this goal. There are a number of things you can do over the next five years to continue building your international credentials. Look for international opportunities at your current place of employment by offering to work on international projects and/or with international work teams. Get experience by managing an outsourcing project (in South-East Asia, for example) and learn to manage a project across cultures and time zones. Join international umbrella organizations in your field of expertise. Start acclimatizing your family to overseas living by going on one or more cross-cultural vacations (if possible, live with a local family and not in a resort), and begin learning the native language/s of your targeted locations. You might also consider going on a job exploration vacation and starting to network internationally. 

The key to all these activities is to position yourself as someone who is skilled in an international work environment. The more experiences you accrue, the better you will be able to demonstrate that you can easily integrate into a cross-cultural work environment. 

In short, start learning how others in your field are working internationally and network with this group while continuing to build your international skill set. Don’t wait too long to get started. Your family is still young, and its tolerance for risk-taking (i.e. moving abroad) is greater today than it may be in later years when you find yourself settled with mortgage payments and children enrolled in school. It is ideal to take children abroad when they are between the ages of three and 13. It is my belief that high school students should be schooled at home with a close, stable network of friends, unless they already have a long history of living overseas. Family life abroad is often rich and full of meaningful family-centered experiences, so take advantage of the opportunity to head abroad sooner rather than later. 

All the best to you and your family as you set out on your international adventures! Also check out [idlink:0064: %title] (for registered users).
Jean-Marc

You should definitely question this offer. There are similar situations in which unsuspecting new employees are asked to process financial transactions to ensure their position. This, of course, turns out to be fraud. Your offer contains none of the normal parameters expected from an international employer. Even though it looks attractive, you should proceed with much caution and undertake a thorough background check, including references from other recruits. My first reaction would be to ignore this “to good to be true” offer. For more information, consult The International Job Search (for registered users).

Good luck,
Jean-Marc

Good question! My short answer is to first assess the student’s tolerance for risk. 

1. If your student has a high level of risk tolerance, than they can make direct contact with overseas employers online or they can get on a plane and find a job when they arrive at their destination abroad. It is easy to find a job teaching English overseas (except in English-speaking or Western European countries.)
2. If the student wants to have a less risky adventure (and many students can’t tolerate a lot of risks), then it is far better to go with an organization such as Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). They generally provide good value for your money and, most importantly, security and a verifiable track record. 

In short, when it comes to teaching abroad programs, you are often paying for the certainty of having a specific type of experience. There are many options to earn money teaching English, but the programs may be less structured, and the student might have to set up his own accommodation. Remember, there are over a billion people in the world who want to learn English, and teaching is one of the easiest ways to go abroad (and earn money). Check out Top Tips: Teach English Abroad and  Top Tips: Teaching Abroad as a Licensed Teacher (for registered users) as well. 

All the best,
Jean-Marc

P.S. Check out this Quick Guide: Teaching English Overseas: A Stepping Stone To International Careers .

Hi Patrick,

There is good news: The 50+ generation has never been healthier, more active or more qualified to work or volunteer overseas.

Retired and soon-to-retire individuals like yourself are now looking for adventure in addition to security; they want professional satisfaction as well as personal rewards. Whatever your reason for going abroad, we highly encourage it. And the opportunities are more numerous than you might think. In an age when countless young people are seeing the value in gaining international experience, many international organizations, volunteer operations, NGOs and businesses are actually happy to make contact with workers who have extensive experience and know-how. As a 50+ worker or volunteer, you bring with you the value of maturity and experience, and the determination to go abroad and make your goals a reality. Isolate what it is you really want to do or achieve abroad, and then start making contacts. 

Check out our articles (for registered users) on this very topic, and search through the guide for success strategies:

• Why 50+ Workers Should Go Abroad
• How to Acquire International Experience Later in Life

Best wishes,

Jean-Marc