Tips for Working Abroad as a Student

About the author: My name is Lucie Waring, I'm 20 years old and a 3rd year BA Digital Media and Society student at the University of Sheffield, though I'm currently on a placement year. I am originally from York, but I'm now going into my third year living in Sheffield – so I'm therefore now a self-proclaimed expert on Sheffield student life, from the best coffee shops and parks to the nightlife. While at university I am a member of many societies that I love to attend with friends and partake in fun social events!

With summer currently in progress, it’s time for us students all over to explore new adventures and activities to occupy our time whilst we aren’t attending Wednesday night socials and suffering through 9am lectures.

Often we’re in search of a money making move to compensate for the budgets we didn't stick to and make back what we lost last semester. The summers between uni years are also the perfect time to travel and explore, finding lore to tell your housemates when you reunite in September; opportunities to work abroad can offer these benefits, as well as being an immediate CV booster and a way to help you become a Linkedin warrior.

As I am writing this, I am currently working abroad in Orlando, Florida on a summer Cultural Exchange Program in Walt Disney World; after working here for nearly a couple of months already, I have curated a list of all the tips I wish I had known beforehand.

Learn the currency

Depending on where you are travelling, the currency is likely to be different. If you're working in a role that involves cash handling or payment methods of any type, be sure to learn the currency and exchange rates so you don’t panic when a customer hands you a selection of quarters and dimes to challenge your quick maths skills.

Be aware of the time zones

When it comes to keeping in touch with family and friends abroad, Facetime will be your best friend and will help you overcome any homesickness and FOMO from your friends together at the local pub. However, whilst it's great to call when you can, remember to keep in mind the timezones; sometimes you may find you finish work and it’s 2am back home where everyone is fast asleep, so try not to forget this when you immediately call your mum for a post shift debrief and accidentally wake her up from her dreams!

An even more useful tip here is to add the timezone of your home country to your phone's lock screen in settings, therefore you will always know what time it is back home.

Download Duolingo

When working in a different country you are likely to experience different cultures, experiences, and languages. Downloading Duolingo may help you learn the basics and offer some support in picking up on conversations and understandings. Especially if you are working in an environment with people from all over, it can be a struggle if you don’t always understand your coworkers or can’t join in on some conversations; therefore having a small comprehension of the basics can help you majorly. My GCSE Spanish skills have definitely been stretched this summer.

Make a couple of friends beforehand

You are bound to meet so many different people and gain friends from all over the world when working abroad, however making a couple of friends and familiar faces before making the move can make it a lot easier in the first few days of leaving home. Whether you're travelling for an organised summer program, or finding your own place of work in a different destination, there will always be others doing the same or similar that you can talk to and find through Facebook groups, social media pages, chats, etc. Even better if you can fly out together, to make the journey across a lot more exciting and fun rather than emotional.

Pack minimally

As an overpacker myself, I travelled out with two big suitcases of clothes and home supplies that I have yet to wear or use. Once you start earning, you will be compelled to spend your paycheck in all the new shops and buy items that you won’t find at home, all so that you can show up to September lectures best dressed in your new attire. You should therefore ensure you're prepared to throw away some of your old clothes and items from home to make luggage space for all the memorable purchases you'll make.

Cherish every moment

The last tip is a slightly cringe worthy and a typical response to embarking on an experience like this, but it is ultimately the most important one. Your time working abroad will go so quickly you will be home before you even feel like you left; make sure you make the most of all the new adventures and experiences you will have. My summer program has gone too quickly and will be an unforgettable experience, so always try to live in the moment and make the most of your limited time working across the country. Take photos, try new things – new foods, new cultural experiences and celebrations we don’t have at home, and have fun!

Our UniHomes Content Ambassadors are current students across the UK who share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. If you're interested in writing for our programme, click here for more details.

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.