Studying abroad is one of the most exhilarating, fulfilling and life-changing experiences, but in order to make it happen, one needs to be well-prepared and organized. The crucial aspect of studying abroad is finding a way to finance yourself and possibly, get a job while attending the university of your choice.

If you’re a young Indonesian student seeking various educational and job opportunities in Australia, things can get a bit tricky, mainly due to cultural and language differences between the two countries. But, since there are organizations that aim to connect young Indonesians and Australians, this also means that studying and career opportunities have become broader and better, which allows many youngsters to try their luck and study elsewhere.

Now, when it comes to studying, things are pretty much clear: either you get the chance or you don’t, and if you do, the most important things to take care of your visa and means of financial support, so you’ll be able to study without worries. But, when we talk about career opportunities, things can be more challenging, so here are some tips that will help you get some work experiences while studying abroad:

1. Don’t look for work straight away

Even though some students need to work in order to support themselves, it’s important to remember that studying abroad should make you focused on learning, attending lectures, and completing your assignments. If you feel overburdened with financial matters, maybe it’s better to save some money before deciding to study abroad or find an appropriate scholarship that will make you feel comfortable, at least during the first year of your studies. This is important due to the fact that living in another country isn’t that easy: you need to get used to a different mentality, culture, language, food and climate. Therefore, instead of looking for work straight away, it would be much useful to take your time and try to get used to the new environment, which, in return, will make your job search much easier in the future.

2. Invest in your skills

In order to increase your prospects of getting a job, it’s important to invest in your language and business skills. First, if you plan to study in an English-speaking country such as Australia, it would be recommended to start learning English from a very early age, so you’ll become accustomed to the grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. Luckily, there quality early learning programs that provide English lessons appropriate for kids who wish to learn a new language, so that would be a great place to start. Even if you haven’t started learning English, there are many courses that will help you learn enough English to be able to hold conversations with others. Also, if you master some level of English, you could get student-appropriate jobs such as teaching or translating.

 

3. Say yes to volunteering opportunities

Maybe being an intern or a volunteer somewhere isn’t the best-paid job, if you get paid at all, but it can surely be a great step towards getting more lucrative job opportunities. This can be especially useful if you plan to stay in Australia, as you’ll have a work experience which will be a great help when it comes to obtaining a more permanent form of visa. The easiest way to look for volunteering and internship opportunities is to go to the administration office at your university and ask for help. Aside from that, there are many job fairs aimed at students, so make sure to attend them regularly, so you’ll be able to meet new people and potential employers.

4. Don’t say no to online jobs

If you aren’t in a position to volunteer, there are ways to earn extra income by working online. Whether it’s ESL tutoring, customer support or working as a virtual assistant, it’s important to remember that the Internet offers vast work opportunities, you just need to be persistent and willing to learn. There are many freelance work websites that can help you get online gigs and earn some extra money, and the main upside of this type of work is that you could do it whenever you want, so you won’t have to sacrifice your studies in order to support yourself.

Final thoughts

Travelling overseas to study at a foreign university is a brave step, so you need to make sure that you’re ready for it because if you’re not, you might end up disappointed. Even if you feel like you’re not ready to go during your BA studies, remember that you can always go after you graduate, especially if you want to pursue higher levels of education such as MA degree and PhD studies. The key to being a successful international student, and then preferably getting a job after graduating is to constantly invest in your skills and be ready for the challenges, obstacles and joys that come with living, studying and working abroad.