Nichole volunteered in a community hospital and children’s clinic in Cusco, Peru as part of a language study program with AmeriSpan. While working as a nurse’s assistant, Nichole experienced a high-pressure cross-cultural work environment, and was able to greatly enhance her Spanish language skills by using them in a professional context.
Read more in the Stories from Abroad section. Been abroad? Tell us about it!
In recent years, the communication landscape has changed drastically. Information and opportunities from around the world are now accessible from almost any household or dorm room, and this fact has completely transformed the international job search process. Now, in a post-COVID world, your online presence is more powerful than ever.
Social Media for Career Success outlines the importance of developing a strong online presence before your hunt for opportunities even begins, and the section will also give you detailed advice about how and where and how to get involved in the ever-... Read the full article
Landing an international internship can be a daunting prospect, but it will give your international career a major boost. In order to land the right internship and get the most out of it, you need to plunge head-first into your preliminary search – and this section will help you do just that. Here are a few key points to get you started:
Top Tips Internships aren’t just low-salary positions: They are an exchange of work for knowledge, and they set you up to apply for your first international entry-level position. Do it yourself: If there’s an employer you want to work for, but no... Read the full article
There are important differences between an international resume and a domestic one. An international resume requires you to demonstrate on paper that you have the required overseas skills and professional experience to qualify for a position. Don't fret if you haven't had a great deal of international experience. There are ways to amp up the value of your current experience to build a cross-cultural resume focus. The main MyWorldAbroad site (for registered users) outlines some of these methods, but here are a few key things to remember about international resumes:
Top Tips... Read the full article
Knowing how to sell your international skills (no matter your experience level) allows you to maximize the career value of your cross-cultural experiences and put your best foot forward as you enter the international workforce. Before being able to sell your skills, you must take stock of your professional self, uncover your talents and "package" them for potential employers. Here are a few key tips on the process:
Top Tips Know how to sell yourself: Getting hired takes more than a good resume (although this is a prerequisite) – it takes charisma, networking skills, self-knowledge and... Read the full article
Having a second or third language greatly increases your appeal to international employers. Not only does it show that you are capable and adaptable, it also shows your commitment to cross-cultural communication. Not convinced? Here are a few more tips to start you on a language-learning path!
Top Tips The working world needs multi-lingual workers: Whether you are applying for a job at home or abroad, your potential employers will be impressed by your language abilities. You may be required to use your second language on the job, or it may simply be a skill that proves your commitment... Read the full article
Paméla's experience in the hospitality industry (combined with her love of travel and her willingness to be flexible) landed her a long-term work placement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There, she built her cross-cultural skills and boosted her employer's business. Check out her story here. Been abroad? Tell us about it!
Sooner or later, living abroad will once again become a possibility. If you hope to move overseas one day, it's worth building up your knowledge base as soon as possible – both about your destination country and about what to expect when immersing yourself in a new culture. This section provides tips on pre-departure preparation, culture shock and specific practical concerns.
Top TipsLearn before you leave: As soon as you have decided to move abroad, you should start an intense period of reading and researching your host country. Language, food, politics, culture – all of these... Read the full article
Husbands, wives, fiancées and partners who are accompanying a loved one on a trip or work term abroad have a very unique type of international experience. Traveling abroad with a loved one can sometimes be stressful and challenging. After all, you've been picked up and moved from your home on account of someone else’s career. Staying busy, motivated and engaged in your new environment can help you overcome many of the challenges associated with being the "traveling spouse."
Top Tips Get to work! The very best way to stay busy, enthusiastic and self-confident as a traveling spouse is... Read the full article
Teaching English Abroad gives you all the basics about one of the most popular short-term professions abroad. Although Covid-19 has put a hold on many in-country programs overseas, you can still find online options for teaching English with students based in other regions of the world, which will help you boost your cross-cultural experience profile remotely.
Top Tips Teaching English can take you anywhere in the world: Almost every non-English speaking country in the world hires foreign English teachers for students of all ages and classes of all sizes. Use it to propel yourself into... Read the full article