In today’s world, international travel is possible
at the drop of a hat. In a few hours you can be across the continent-
in a few more on the other side of the world. This increased mobility
has resulted in the development of many personal and professional
links between local communities and international countries.
Traveling and working has many benefits: earning a living while
experiencing other cultures first hand, traveling and earning money
at the same time, gaining valuable skills one might not learn in
one’s own country, meeting perspective contacts for future
jobs and fun fun fun!
Italy to Canada
Andrea Morello is a physics researcher from Italy (via Holland)
who is currently working at the University of British Columbia.
He has been working in Canada for one year. When asked why he
chose to work abroad Andrea says, “Initially, I moved abroad
just for the curiosity of living in a different country- it wasn't
a very conscious career choice. After the first experience I
figured out that (1) in my profession it is actually very easy
to work anywhere I want, (2) working in many different laboratories
is regarded as a high-profile professional choice and (3) I still
enjoy discovering new countries and new people, thus I kept on
moving around the world.”
Andrea is in a profession that values variety and different mindsets
and he is finding himself in a valuable position professionally, “In
this sense, the most efficient professional choice is to work in
many different countries. This has been very good training for
myself, and it is viewed very positively by my potential employers,
which means that this is a self-sustaining lifestyle, once you're
in you can keep on going rather easily.”
It is relatively easy to maintain an international career in science
and technology because the work is primarily done in English and
as Andreas puts it, “the fact that science is intrinsically
universal.” He will be able to continue his plans to live
and work around the world. Future plans include Japan, Australia,
England and Germany. Does Andrea have any advice for those considering
working abroad? “I dare you!”
Canada to England
Michelle Johansen is a teacher from Canada who recently spent one
year living and working in England. She taught elementary school
in the inner city of London. Michelle loved living in London and
the experience of leaving home for the unknown was a valuable one, “I
grew so much by doing so and I became self sufficient in ways I
never could have been in the comforts of my home.” Teachers
and people from all vocations enjoy many more holidays in the UK
and with the pound, traveling on the continent was affordable both
in time and money.
Michelle chose not to stay in England at the end of the school
year but she found her experience worthwhile, “Leaving one’s
home and culture was very liberating. It allowed me to see things
from a different point of view and make a change of pace without
outside intervention. While in London I was drawn to holistic modes
of healing and this led into a career adaptation for me in the
future.”
Michelle‘s advice for those who are considering working in
a foreign country: “Don't listen too much to other people's
opinions and experiences because they may have a different way
of looking at things than you do.”
Alberta to Anywhere
Sara Coumantarakis is the Coordinator for the Educator Exchange
Program in Alberta. Her job is to make working abroad possible
for teachers. The educator exchange program has a high profile
both nationally and internationally, and teachers enjoy sharing
the strengths of the Alberta system as well as learning from foreign
systems. Sara says the reasons for working abroad are as different
as the people who choose to do so, “Sometimes, beginning
teachers seek employment outside Alberta because they have been
unable to get that first teaching job at home and decide that an
international placement will build experience for their resume,
thereby providing both professional and personal growth. Sometimes
they are seeking a rejuvenation, which comes from new challenges.
Sometimes they are curious about cultures from their own ethnic
heritage and want to live in the land of their ancestors. “
Working abroad is a savvy way to finance traveling, to increase
skill levels or to change your life! Be sure and research as much
as you can before making any commitments and have a thorough understanding
of your country of choice’s standard of living, currency
and salary before packing you suitcase.
If these testimonies have inspired you to make the leap – here
are some useful resources to guide your search:
www.anyworkanywhere.com
www.lonelyplanet.com
http://www.careerseurope.co.uk/
http://www.cache.org.uk/
www.findagap.com
www.frontierprojects.ac.uk
www.overseasjobs.com
www.business.link.org
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