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How can I get Work Experience Abroad?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

There are a number of ways to get work experience abroad. The most common ways are to apply for a job in a foreign country, put in a transfer at one's present company to an overseas office, or to apply for a study abroad program that allows students to also work while they are studying in their foreign country of choice. Other common ways to gain work experience abroad are to volunteer for an organization that does work in foreign countries or to work with a charitable organization that does the same thing.

The most lucrative way to gain work experience abroad is to choose one of the first two options described above. While some people may be able to volunteer or accept small stipends while working abroad, this is not an option for others. By applying for a full-time position in a foreign country or getting a transfer from one's present company, there is a good chance that there will be little to no interruption in one's income during the transition to the foreign country. Depending on the relocation package offered by one's company, this can also offset the large moving costs associated with relocating to a foreign country.

Some organizations pay stipends for volunteer work performed abroad.
Some organizations pay stipends for volunteer work performed abroad.

There are a number of factors to consider when preparing to get work experience abroad. Safety, well-being, and happiness are, of course, all at the top of the list. It is important to research the foreign country and to be as prepared as possible before relocating. It is also important to look into how the work experience abroad might impact one's finances. For example, taxation systems are different in each country. Furthermore, people gaining work experience abroad might still be responsible for paying some taxes back home. This can be a nasty surprise when the tax bills come due for people who don't do their homework.

Social programs are one avenue for people looking for work abroad.
Social programs are one avenue for people looking for work abroad.

Sometimes students who are about to graduate or who have recently graduated decide that they would like to get work experience abroad. One of the most common ways to do this is to teach English in a foreign country. There are many companies and programs that hire native English speakers to travel to many corners of the world to do this sort of work. These positions are not usually incredibly lucrative, but they usually are set up to make sure that all of the teachers have their basic needs met.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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    • Some organizations pay stipends for volunteer work performed abroad.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Some organizations pay stipends for volunteer work performed abroad.
    • Social programs are one avenue for people looking for work abroad.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Social programs are one avenue for people looking for work abroad.
    • Volunteering to assist the elderly is one way to gain work experience abroad.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Volunteering to assist the elderly is one way to gain work experience abroad.
    • People traveling aborad can get work experience by volunteering in impoverished communities.
      By: Andrea Izzotti
      People traveling aborad can get work experience by volunteering in impoverished communities.