Studying abroad is much more than networking at the bar with a bunch of guys with alluring accents. Yes we’re in it for the fun but at some point you have to acknowledge that in a semester you have to come back and get back to business. Don’t waste the year abroad with limited credentials. Time to pull the American card to reap all benefits associated with it.
I recommend in investing the extra $200-$300 dollars on a visa that allows you to reside in the country in which you’re studying abroad and work during this time period. You have all this free time abroad mainly because you’re used to school in which you’re in 1,000 clubs and leadership opportunities, which tend to shadow your whole schedule. In my case most of my work in clubs just relies on me having my laptop and Wi-Fi, which I rarely part from in general.
Carpe diem and look up opportunities in your host country for job/internship opportunities. For all my communications majors out there look out for Buzzfeed and other magazine publications such as Hearst for potential job openings the semester of your departure. Nothing shows work ethic more than applying for these positions during your “vacation” semester. In your cover letter stress the fact that you strive for productivity even when it isn’t expected.
Added bonus of promoting yourself abroad is not only the connections you could make within the company but also you can network outside of work with coworkers who can show you around places alongside locals. You’ll embrace the city and culture more so than anybody who travels alone. Lastly that resume will go from “studied abroad” (and in my case blogging about before and during) to “studied abroad and interned at (fill in some prestigious company/firm).
A couple more hours out of your week to do work will not prohibit you from country hopping and socially reaping the benefits of your host country. You’ll still have time for insanely cute and cultured instagrammable moments! Despite people saying how work and play are two different things, when you’re studying abroad they can easily be one cohesive experience.
~Safe Travels