A successful career is a dream of all, even more, when you have decided to pursue studies abroad. This is a crucial period of time, with studies obviously taking a centre stage. But it should never be limited to merely engrossing in studies, a mistake most students commit. Study abroad period can get you loads of international exposure, which should be utilized to transform oneself into a cosmopolitan citizen, one who effortlessly becomes part of any environment, a priced quality, rated higher than academic prowess by foreign employers. Here are few tips on how to make most use of this period abroad and get transformed.
- Learn the local language
This is very important, as it brings down the language barrier and can make you more acceptable in the new environment. At least, one should develop an armory with the most essential words and a couple of common salutations; this can help you start a conversation initially. Once you start getting into the communication mode, seeing your passion, it is more likely that locals might volunteer with some valuable language lessons. Though your hold on the new language may not be anything to speak about, it can have a positive bearing on prospective employers.
- Mingle with fellow students from other cultures
Once you have necessary vocabulary in your possession, it is time to make the most out of it. Mingle with people from other cultures; there cannot be a better place than your university to start this. As your campus will have students from different parts of the world with different language, culture, etc, this is the most conducive environment to help develop cross-cultural skills that are highly valued by international employers.
- Take up new responsibilities
This is the right time to prove your worth in the eyes of future employers, these roles however small it might be, can project you as an individual who have the drive and initiative taking capacity. Make use of every small opportunity to showcase your abilities, organizing a small event etc can work in your favor. Volunteering is the key, as this gives opportunity to exhibit your multifaceted skills in a totally different environment. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to help out a professor as an intern or if that is not possible, volunteer to help a local student with his / her project work. By doing small things like this, you are building up valuable experience and at the same time, stuffing your resume with experience that make employers interested in hiring you.
- Get to know the outside environment
Don’t limit your world to the four walls of your campus. Get to know about the community that live outside, this can start from the campus itself. Befriending a couple of local students is the way to go about. when invited to any function, make it a point not miss them, similarly, don’t waste any opportunity to interact with the local population, something which will help you get a lot of valuable information about the geography, core industries around, local customs, traditions etc, this apart from helping you, know about career opportunities, can come handy during interviews sessions. Your prospective employee would appreciate the rich mine of information you have about the surrounding.
- Venture out of your comfort zones
This is the best time to challenge yourself and bring out the latent power within you. Don’t miss out on any opportunities to explore the country, utilizing all modes of transports possible. Immerse in local food, cultural events etc and truly blend yourself in to the surrounding like a local, this apart from gifting some wonderful experiences will equip you gain valuable knowledge about various parts of the country, travel routes, facilities etc which can really project you as someone who gel well with the local environment with ease, a quality which foreign employers love to see in International students.
Opportunity to study abroad should not only be seen as any other study phase ,it presents the perfect avenue to lean valuable insights, experiences , cross cultural skills that is vital in turning you in to a global professional, so make the most out of it.
Need more information on best overseas education destination that suits your profile? contact Santa Monica study abroad Pvt. Ltd., the trusted overseas education facilitation with over 13 years of experience in the domain, facilitating admission to over 200 universities/institutions to 20 + countries across the world. Contact us on 0484-4140999.