Work while study abroad

There are various reasons that force foreigners to seek employment while still in university. Some work part-time to cover large tuition fees. Others find promising internships to gain experience and stay in the country after graduation. And some are just looking for new experiences and acquaintances. In this article, we will help you figure out whether combining studies abroad with work is worth it. We will talk both about simple part-time jobs, such as a waiter in a local cafè, and about more serious occupations for foreign students.

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Work on a student visa

Part-time work in different countries

• Great Britain. Students work part-time during their studies and full-time during vacations. You cannot become an entrepreneur or a professional athlete. At the same time, work permits are issued not only by the state, but also by the universities. Universities limit the permitted work time depending on the study program. Some only allow work on campus, and most doctoral students are completely prohibited from seeking employment. After Brexit, the rules for EU citizens have become uncertain — until the legislation is stabilized, checking with the Department for Work and Pensions is advised.
• Canada. Foreign students apply for a work permit. It is not required if you are looking for an on-campus position. For illegal professional activity, violators are deported to their homeland.
• Israel. You cannot work on an A/2 student visa. But many work off-the-record, caring for the elderly, taking out trash, or packing groceries. The only way to officially earn money while studying is to undertake an internship. To get a more serious position, after graduation, you must apply for a B/1 visa. Obtaining it is hard — it is issued upon request from the employer. The competition for official employment is quite high, so companies select only the best students by GPA and overall rating.
• Turkey. Undergraduate students can start working after the first year of study. This requirement can be circumvented by obtaining a residence permit.
• Germany. If you are getting a job as a teaching assistant or research assistant, there are no working hours restrictions for you. That said, even unpaid internships are regulated, and you can't be a freelancer or self-employed. Preparatory programs’ students work in their free time with the consent of the Federal Employment Agency. EU citizens can work as they please, but need to register in the local Resident’s Registration Office.
• China. With a regular X1 visa, you will not be able to officially get a job. To work, you will need permission from the immigration authorities and the university through certified letters.
• Czech Republic. Most companies require fluency in Czech. There are no restrictions on working hours, but you need to get a work permit first. It must be renewed every two years. Again, EU citizens can work freely, but have to register with local authorities.

Where do foreign students work

Usually, for the first two years, a student works part-time in low-skilled positions — in cafès, bars, supermarkets, or shopping centers. But for seniors, there is a need to practice in the area in which they are receiving education. The best way to do this is to get an internship. In this section, we will tell you what placements foreigners do at different levels of education and why it is important to start practicing while still studying.

Part-time work outside the specialty

Students work in low-skilled positions for several reasons. Firstly, students usually get approved for formal practice only after two years of studying for a Bachelor's degree, while you might need money way before that. Secondly, in some countries (Israel, India), foreigners are completely prohibited from officially working. Below we describe the most popular options.

Foreign language tutor

You can teach your native language as a freelancer or at a language school. This is convenient — usually, lessons are held through Skype or Zoom. It is worth remembering that official employment often requires additional paperwork. If you decide to become self-employed, make sure you are legally allowed to do so. Some countries (USA, Germany, China) closely monitor extracurricular activities of students, and in case of a violation, they can be immediately deported.

Call center operator

Although candidates are required to have a high level of knowledge of the local language, this is an attractive option for international students. It is suitable for those who are stress-resistant and know how to communicate with strangers. In this position, you have to learn a lot about the company's products and services — combined with the information load at the university, work can be very exhausting. Also be prepared for night shifts.

At the same time, you work in comfortable offices and do not have to spend hours on your feet. Most likely, your salary will be higher than that of other students. As a pleasant bonus, companies often arrange trainings, where you get to improve your knowledge of English or the local language.

Waiter or bartender

The easiest way to find a part-time job abroad is to look for a position in the service industry. Previous professional experience is usually not critical. If you can convince the HR specialist of your advanced communication skills, getting a job will be easy. Often employers request a high level of proficiency in the national language, but on university campuses, the requirements are softer.

The biggest drawback is a rigid work schedule. As a rule, students work in the evenings and do not have time to rest after an intensive day of studying. Night shifts can seriously harm both academic performance and health in general.

Babysitter

To get a job, you will need to take several courses on child care and development. Experts recommend starting with volunteering to build a decent resume. But the best way is to get a relevant experience back in your home country.

In some countries (Italy, USA, Germany) there are even special agencies for foreign babysitters. Getting this position is more difficult than most others. But if successful, you practice the language, learn to cook national dishes and make new acquaintances. Some employers even offer students to live in their home, which significantly reduces the cost of living in another country.

Dog sitter

A typical list of duties is to walk and feed the dog. But be prepared that the owners often ask to stay with the pet at home or even teach it basic commands. Dog sitters take them out for a walk even in the worst weather, and if the animal is large enough, then more attention has to be paid to it — you will run a lot, play games and train the dog.

The work seems enjoyable, but it is also stressful. It is always necessary to be on the lookout — make sure that the dog is not injured, does not fight with other dogs, nor frightens passers-by. The owners admire their pets, so even minor mistakes can get you fired.

Work for foreign students at the university

The most popular option for a part-time job is to work on campus or at the university itself. This is an attractive option for foreigners for several reasons, the main one being the lack of alternatives. In some countries, including the United States, according to general rules, you are only allowed to work after a year of undergraduate studies. But in universities, exceptions are made — even freshmen can work there. You can become a cashier, a waiter, a university newspaper editor, or a salesperson. Most often, students get jobs in gyms, libraries, and bookstores.

Some choose to work as teaching assistants. This is especially important if you are going to devote yourself to an academic career — you gain experience in teaching and conducting research projects. Most commonly, graduate and doctoral students apply for this position.

But not everything is so simple. Many people want to work on campus, which creates competition between foreign and local candidates. To increase your chances of success, prepare for your interview in advance and take a responsible approach to writing a resume.

Internship

International students typically work 12 to 20 hours a week for three to five months. As a rule, during free internships a student mostly learns rather than actually helps the company (and sometimes even receives academic credits from the university), and as for paid internships, the opposite is true.

Internships in foreign universities

Internships at universities can be mandatory and optional. Those of the first type are part of the curriculum, and without them, you will not be able to graduate. As a rule, they last about a year and are primarily the case for IT, biochemistry, engineering, and pharmaceuticals. For example, Washington State University obliges students of many programs to do internships — even Hospitality programs require at least 1,000 hours of practice placement. This gives noticeable results. In 2015, a record-breaking 100% of WSU graduates found a job, and to date, the figure is hovering around 91%.

Usually, an internship is arranged without additional paperwork — it is generally enough to complete two full years of a Bachelor's degree program. But there are also exceptions. In the United States, for example, foreigners must receive a separate permit for practical training.

How universities help find internships

If you need help finding a job in your specialty, contact your International student services office. Usually such a service is available in every university. You register in the system, fill out a portfolio and wait for an invitation from the company. When you need to get a job as soon as possible, university staff send you the necessary links and resources. If there is no special department for foreigners, visit a general career center at the educational institution. There you will be offered a list of current vacancies in partner companies or even within the university itself.

For example, the University of California Berkeley has created the platform Handshake, where students seek part-time jobs and internship options. And the University of Toronto implements the Professional Experience Year (PEY) Internship Program. Within this framework, it selects paid internships in Canada.

Companies themselves often come to universities with job offers. For example, Microsoft does this for students of all academic degrees^[1].

Where to look for internships yourself

The most effective way to find an internship is to constantly check the websites of the companies you would like to work for. Experts recommend that you first look at the available positions in a particular firm and only then look for an internship by a general request. Do not limit yourself to one vacancy — statistically, one in four companies responds to the application.

For internships in large companies, the competition is intense — up to 200 people per place. Overseas employers often look at GPA and run challenging entrance tests. If you think the competition is too high, don't be discouraged — there is another way to practice in a good organization. Try to find a suitable position on Glassdoor, LinkedIn, or Chegg Internships. It lists internship options from all over the world.