Your Personal Guide to Working While Studying Abroad

Source: uloop.com

So you have made the once in a lifetime decision to study abroad? Good for you!

While you are earning a unique and important education overseas, you might be thinking about holding a part-time job. While scholarships and grants will have covered your tuition and rent, you might still need extra for food, transportation, and spending money.

The good news is that working while studying abroad is not an entirely foreign concept. There are some countries who will not allow students to work part-time while studying there, but fortunately there are countries that will. It is all a part of doing extensive research on the destination you will be visiting.

While not every study abroad destination will allow you to work during your time abroad, there are a few who will! Most come with their own set of policies and regulations in order to do so, so make sure that you do your research before starting your job search and application process. Read on to learn more about where you can work while studying abroad!

UK

If the UK is your study abroad destination, keep in mind that you will be able to pursue a part-time job as a student if you are given a Tier 4 Visa. This Visa is available for international students that will be studying in the UK for six months or longer. You must also acquire a work permit. Your eligibility depends on which institution you attend and whether or not it is funded by the government, or whether it is able to grant higher degrees of education. While you are taking classes, you can take a majority of 10 or 20 per week, but while you are on vacation, you can take up to 40 hours.

Check out Careers Group London, Employment 4 Students, and Student Job for information to help out with the job search!

Australia

If Australia is your study abroad destination, you will be allowed to work up to 40 hours every two weeks while you are taking classes and work full-time while you are on vacation. Your minimum wage per hour will be determined by the government, and your employer will give you an agreement that states your wages and your working conditions. This will all depend on the sector of the country where you are working.

Australia has a considerably wide range of industries with part-time work available, including retail, hospitality, agricultural, sales, and administration. Students can find job opportunities in newspapers, on online job sites, on notice boards, and with recruitment firms.

France

If France is your study abroad destination, there is good news. You will be able to work both on-campus and off-campus provided that you have a residency card and as long as you are studying at an institution with access to the Social Security System. You will have the right to work up to 964 hours during the year, both part-time and during vacation periods.

The minimum wage in France is 9.40 euros per hour but remember: you will be paying 20 percent of that salary on taxes.

Germany

If Germany is your study abroad destination, you will be able to work 120 days per year full-time or 240 days per year part-time. There is no minimum wage in Germany, but typically workers receive 6 to 10 euros for every hour they work. In order to work more hours, you would need to speak with the Federal Employment Agency of the state of which you are studying, as well as the migration authorities. Fortunately, if you find a job within the institution where you are studying, you will be able to work over the allotted day limit.

Spain

If Spain is your study abroad destination, you will be able to find a job after asking for a work permit from the local authorities. This permit will allow you to work for a company with which you have signed a part-time work contract.

The contract cannot be higher than the length of your visa. The work should also be relevant to the program of study that you are pursuing, so finding a paid internship is muy importante. During vacation periods, you will be able to work full-time for up to three months.

If your study abroad destination is not on this list, do not worry. There are other ways to gain experience to build that resume and earn extra money during your time studying abroad.

To get started, check out Aisec.org. AISEC is an online matchmaker for both volunteering and internship experiences abroad. Through AISEC, you will be able to find volunteer work or an internship experienced based off of your interests, passions, and your study abroad destination.

No matter where your study abroad destination is, AISEC will be there to ensure that you earn the most fulfilling study abroad experience that will leave you a more well-rounded individual for the rest of your life to come.