Elisabeth knew that she wanted to use her undergraduate co-op placement to learn about international workplace culture in a developing nation. While working as a project officer in the nursing services department of a Nairobi university, she built career-boosting cross-cultural communication skills, and used her free time to fully immerse herself in the colorful, flavorful local culture.
Read more in Stories from Abroad on the main MyWorld site. Been abroad? Tell us about it!
There are multiple prevailing myths about how students and young professionals find international jobs and start building global careers. Could you be planning your international future based on these fairy tales? Debunking the Myths is a must-read Quick Guide, describing some of the most popular (false) beliefs about international career building. Check it out now – and get realistic about your future abroad.
To most people, the term “working vacation” simply means traveling while taking low-skilled jobs to pay their way. This is a great way of getting around, but here at MyWorldAbroad, we also promote taking a professional approach to the working vacation! If you hop on a plane and travel the world, you’ll have a fantastic short-term experience, but when you travel, you have an opportunity to develop as an individual and as an international professional. The tips in this section will help you make the most of your time abroad.
Top Tips Even “low-skilled” work can have high value: Even if... Read the full article
Rebecca combined valuable work experience with the excitement of travel by participating in a co-op program abroad. During her time in Switzerland, she worked as a mentor for 30 high school students, and assisted in planning and management of various recreational programs at a local school. She made the most of her time in the heart of Europe by traveling to a number of major metropolitan centers in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.
Read more in Stories from Abroad! Been abroad? Tell us about it!
By the time Behrang arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, he was already a seasoned traveler, and was hoping to build professional experience working in the Pacific region. While working at the University of Technology he was able to immerse himself in local culture, build a deeper understanding of Asian workplace culture, and beef up the international component of his resume.
Read more in the Stories from Abroad section. Been abroad? Tell us about it!
Combining valuable work experience with international travel and stunning natural beauty? What could be better?! Amy spent four months in a small town in the Swiss Alps coordinating events and recreation programs for an international boarding school. Discover her thoughts on communicating across cultures, developing a work-life balance and making ends meet while gaining cross-cultural career experience.
Read more in the Stories from Abroad section. Been abroad? Tell us about it!
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!
By the time Behrang arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, he was already a seasoned traveler, and was hoping to build professional experience working in the Pacific region. While working at the University of Technology he was able to immerse himself in the local culture, build a deeper understanding of Asian workplace practices and beef up the international component of his resume.
Read more in the Stories From Abroad section. Been abroad? Tell us about it!
When it comes to negotiating across cultures, there are many challenges to ensuring clear lines of communication. The meanings of simple phrases, greetings or professional communications can vary greatly, and when working or doing business internationally or in heavily cross-cultural environments, awareness of subtle cultural differences can be hugely useful.
The Harvard Business Review revently released an excellent video short detailing some of the challenges involved in negotiating across cultures, and some ways of approaching international business environments. Check it out now... Read the full article
The world of resumes is in constant flux. With the birth of the online professional profile, LinkedIn and the increasing importance of “scanability,” the importance of the traditional multi-page resume is up in the air. But one thing remains true: international resumes are different from domestic ones! And whether or not you end up presenting a multi-page resume to a potential employer, you’ll benefit from going through the processes described in the Overview of International Resumes Quick Guide. Check out this important tip sheet now.
