As an undergrad, Mara passed up a chance to study abroad, feeling she wasn’t ready to travel. But when she was offered an opportunity to intern in Panama City as part of a post-graduate certificate in project management, she knew she couldn’t turn it down! Read Mara’s reflections on cross-cultural professionalism, Panamanian culture and the importance of perseverance when pursuing a placement abroad.
Read more in Stories from Abroad! Been abroad? Tell us about it!
A lot of students dream of a career in international development. But, what is the best way to prepare yourself for a successful career with an NGO or international development organization? We've drawn a few key tips from the NGOs and International Development section of the main MyWorldAbroad site. Take a look:
Top Tips International development is one of the most cross-cultural industries in existence: By definition, international development requires extensive cross-cultural communication. Workers must be literate in global affairs and they are also guaranteed to build... Read the full article
A few years ago, Cindy left a job in Canada to travel to Shanghai for an internship with CRCC Asia. As an avid blogger and aspiring businesswoman, she threw herself into the internship experience, and into the culture of her host country. Read her story to find out how the experience changed her life, and helped her to build crucial cross-cultural and career skills. Been abroad? Tell us about it!
As soon as you decide to move abroad, you’ll need to start building up your knowledge base – 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 Tips Learn 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 things should be on your list! Prepare yourself for the possibility of culture shock... Read the full article
So you’ve been abroad and now it’s time to head home to your normal life. You’ve had a life-altering experience, made new friends and learned so much about yourself and the world. Though you may be eager to get back to your familiar stomping ground, it can be difficult to re-adjust to your old surroundings and friendships. Much like culture shock, re-entry shock can strike when you least expect it, and can leave you feeling disoriented or down. Check out the Quick Guide here.
Erin is a Canadian student with a penchant for globetrotting. So far in her university career, she’s gone on exchange to both Australia and the US. Erin maximized her time on exchange by volunteering, taking on part-time work, socializing with international students and participating in a wide variety of other exciting extra-curricular activities. She also parlayed her experience in the States into several other international adventures.
Read more in the Stories from Abroad section. Been abroad? Tell us about it!
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
Do you have an interest in international development? So does Salina! She spent her time as a volunteer in Guatemala immersing herself totally in the local culture and traditions – from food to dance to the Spanish language. Find out exactly what she got up to in San Miguel Dueñas.
Read more in the Stories from Abroad section. Been abroad? Tell us about it!
If you're an engineering student or recent graduate, you need to know what your options are and how to go about achieving success in the international field. What skills do you need? What are your options? Do you need cross-cultural experience to be an international engineer? The tips below provide a few basic answers to questions we hear a lot!
Top Tips Make sure you are doing it for the right reasons: Within the engineering industries, international work experience is generally only valued by firms participating in international projects. While working as an engineer abroad, you will... Read the full article
People who have traveled and lived abroad are different from those who have not. By engaging with foreign cultures, you’ll gain a unique perspective on culture and communication – and you’ll build sought-after professional skills that will give your future career a major boost. So, what is an International IQ and how can you build yours? This Quick Guide will tell you everything you need to know. Check out Your International IQ now!
