4 Tips for Networking Abroad

Networking. It’s defined as a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest. This has been one thing that professors have stressed the importance of, and I am starting to understand how important it actually is.

Most jobs that individuals get are because of knowing someone that has something to do with that company or organization. Unless you have a resume that sets you far apart from the competition, a job offer is less likely if you do not know someone. Whether it is making a professional presence online by blogging, tweeting or commenting on social networks or actually going out and introducing yourself to people, you want to make your name known.

If you have the opportunity to study abroad that time could be potentially land you a future job or internship offer.  What could be a better time to gain skills and make valuable contacts, even if it is not in your field of work, than when you are abroad?

1. Before you go on your trip, make business cards.

Business cards are a great way for someone to remember your name and how to get in contact with you. Keep them simple, maybe your name, email, and your LinkedIn profile URL. LinkedIn is the number one professional networking tool and can be used to provide information on your skills and experience as well as a place to put an online resume. A professor once told me that business cards are great because once the person that you gave one to puts it in their pocket; they have to look at again when they pull it out, even if it is just to throw it away.

2. Practice your elevator speech.

Image you walk into an elevator and the owner of a business that you want to work for is the only one there. What would you say to him? You want to try to convey who you are professionally while making a lasting impression, all within a short elevator ride.  This speech that you have practiced could come in handy when you are put on spot with only a short period of time to set yourself apart.

3. Remember names.

If you meet someone that you would like to know more about or want them to know more about you, remember their name. Just because you gave someone your business card, doesn’t mean they will follow up with you. Finding the person online and sending them an email shows that you are interested. If you can’t remember the person’s name, then you have most likely lost that contact. After meeting someone write their name down or put it in your phone so that you don’t lose it.

4. Get out and open up.

When you are abroad, there is no better time to travel and meet new people. Go to as many events and places that you can possibly go to. The more people you meet, the more opportunities there are for future advancements. Being friendly and being able to listen to what others say are the best impressions a student can leave someone with.

Networking could land you a future job or internship. Having contacts globally could open many doors. It is all up to you to determine just how many.

Read Full Post »

7 Tips for Study Abroad Success

Here are just a few tips that will help you get the most out of your study abroad experience.

1. Set a Weekly Budget:
If you have allocated $4,000 for food, entertainment and travel over a five month period, don’t waste it. If you set a budget $150 a week, that will leave with you plenty of money to spare. If you have a slower week with no bigger purchases or traveling expenses, take that money and add it to a week that you know you will be traveling. Keep track of your spending, and make sure you understand the exchange rate for your chosen country before your arrival. That $4,000 might actually be closer to $3,500.

2. Check for student discounts:
Student discounts are available everywhere. A lot of saved money can add up from discounts at shopping centers, movie theaters, museums, tourist attractions and even transportation.

3. Take Pictures:
You never know if you will ever have the opportunity to travel to the same places again, so pictures might be the only way to save your memories. Plus your family will most likely want to live through you and experience the places you saw and things you did. You can use photo sharing websites to help you organize your photos because if you plan on taking as many pictures as I do, your computer won’t have enough memory. Websites like Flickr, Shutterfly, and even Facebook allow you to share pictures with friends and family.

4. Locals Don’t Bite:
I am not telling you to go up to complete strangers all alone, but when you’re out with a group of friends, ask the locals where to go. They are the ones who know where the best places to eat are and what is an appropriate tip.

5. Step out of your Comfort Zone:
Living in a whole new country is a big step out of anyone’s comfort zone, but once you are settled in, you might get into a routine. Don’t just go to clubs with only people who speak your native language every night. Try joining a local club team if you like sports. Volunteer with local organizations or even land an internship. By doing something different, you will gain a better prospective for the culture and it could even open up opportunities for the future.

6. Travel:
When you are overseas, there is no easier or cheaper time to travel. Train and bus systems offer a relatively cheap way to travel. If traveling with a group, you can split the cost of lodging. Airlines like RyanAir offer cheap plane tickets in Europe, which make an extended weekend trip reasonable.

7. Fashion:
Do your research on what clothing styles are acceptable in your country of study before going. The most obvious reason for this is for the weather. Know if you are going to need a winter jacket or shorts and skirts. The last thing you will want to do upon arrival is spend a bunch of money on a new wardrobe. Also you will want to know what clothes are acceptable for church, if you’re planning on attending.

If you have any tips or advice let me know in my comments! I would love to hear students past experience or what they would like to know more about.

Read Full Post »

Study Abroad. It’s worth the hassle.

I have not studied overseas yet, but I have heard from numerous college graduates that if they could go back and change one thing from their college experience, it would have been to study abroad.

There are many factors that can deter students from studying abroad. Whether it’s because you’re a home body, the financial aspect, or the fact that you don’t want to get behind in school, many students opt out of the opportunity. Lucky enough for me, I have weighed out the pros and cons and could not pass down the chance to travel to Northern Ireland for five months of studying.

I go to college at Kent State University, which is almost exactly 100 miles from my hometown. It is just the right distance from home. Sometimes on weekends I take advantage of having the short drive to my hometown. I am not ashamed in admitting that I get a little home sick and can barely go two weeks without seeing my mommy. I think the longest time that I have been away from home is just a month. So being in a completely new country and culture for five months will be something completely new to me.

One of my dogs. Bailey Rose.

For me I look at it as a challenge. Some of my friends have said that I would never be able to study abroad because I am too close with my family and couldn’t be away from them for such an extended period of time. So part of the reason I am going to study overseas is to prove people wrong. I also haven’t mentioned that my family and I have four precious little nuggets, some other people might call them dogs. I miss them equally as much as my family at times. When in Northern Ireland, I have already faced the fact that I will get home sick from time to time. Lucky enough for me, the technology makes it easy for friends and family to stay connected.

Money. Money is probably the single biggest deterrent from studying abroad. If the money doesn’t exist, neither does the opportunity. But there are many ways to fund a studying abroad experience.

One option is student loans. Many, if not all, loans will transfer from your home institution, to the overseas one. More can be taken out for the extra expenses that can be involved. The expenses may not be as great as you expect though. For me, I am lucky enough to be a part of an exchange program, which allows me to pay the exact same tuition for my overseas institution, The University of Ulster, as Kent State. Look into the programs that your university offers and compare which ones are the best fits financial for you.

If you have scholarships to help cover certain college expenses, talk to a financial advisor at your school and see if they can transfer to the overseas university.

If you are planning to study abroad and scholarships and student loans are not an option for you, hard work always is. Being a college student is a full-time job in itself, but sometimes getting a job is the only option. Summer jobs and part-time jobs are a great way to bring in paychecks. My advice is to start saving in advance in a separate bank account. Every paycheck, allocate a certain amount of money to go to that savings account, even if it is just $50.

As for getting behind in your class sequence, there are options for this too. One option is to work harder a couple of semesters by adding a few more classes. By taking the maximum amount of credit hours your freshmen and sophomore years when your classes are not as difficult, this can get you ahead early on. When the time comes to study abroad, you won’t have fallen behind. Another option is taking summer classes. Summer classes often offer a fast paced version of the semester course and you can knock out more credits in a shorter amount of time.

If you don’t want to overwhelm yourself with classes, look for study abroad programs that are specific to your major. Some of the classes that you take there could potentially transfer directly to courses required for your major. Talk to your academic advisors and they can help you choose university’s that offer the same degree’s as yours.

When thinking about studying abroad, don’t let the cons scare you away, the pros always outweigh them.

For more advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad check out this article from BrainTrack.

Read Full Post »