Thinking of working abroad during your gap year? Well, before you make up your mind, have a read of this guide to the pros and cons of working abroad:
The PROs of Working Abroad
Getting to Experience other Cultures
Camp in deserts, eat weird objects, experience Christmas in the sunshine! Learning about other cultures is great fun, teaches you racial tolerance and will also come in handy later in your career if you’re working in a multi-national company
Becoming Independent
There’s nobody else to rely on, so if you haven’t had to before, you’ll learn to budget, plan and organise yourself
Learning Another Language or Polish Up Your Second Language
You don’t have to get to native-level speaking, but total immersion in another culture means you’ll pick up the basics in no time (except of course if you’re British and end up in Australia, then you’ll just learn some great slang)
Working on your CV
A gap year doesn’t have to be all about cheap beer and hostel dorms (though let’s face it, that part is fun!) You can also treat it as a kick-start to your career: thinking of heading into medicine? Look at healthcare internships with charity organisations that will give you first-hand experience. Law students can offer their services to human rights services. Those heading into PR can benefit with a stint in admin to get their skills up. It’s all good fodder for the CV
Earning a Humanitarian Halo
Teach English, help children in orphanages, work on conservation projects, or help develop better water facilities in third-world countries. It’s all good: for you, for the kids, for the country’s economy or environmental wellbeing. Remember to ask for a written reference from the company, detailing dates and duties, before you leave
Money, Money, Money
Cash might be a pro, it can also easily be a con. Naturally, other countries’ economies may be much lower than the UK, so while you’re earning what’s considered a decent wage locally, it mightn’t amount to more than a night out back in the UK
The CONs of Working Abroad
Losing Your Place on the Career Ladder
You’ve skipped overseas for a year, but are you missing out on internships or apprenticeships available only to new grads? Before you disappear, determine how competitive the field is in your chosen career: it may pay to wait a couple of years and take a break once you’re more established
Finding it Tough to Fit in
Learning about other cultures is amazing, but many are closed off to foreigners. You may find many mates to have a drink with or date a local, but anything more intimate, such as meeting their families or learning traditions, is strictly off-limits. Some travellers are happy living the expat-only life, but those who want more should prepare themselves for some inevitable rejection
Being Perceived as Flighty
Let’s face it: travel is a drug. Cruise its heady lifestyle for too long and prospective employers will be asking whether you can settle down and give the company the years it requires
Not Working in Your Field
Bar work can be awesome fun, but will it benefit your ultimate career in international banking? Also, consider how well your gap-year work experience will be received back home. Diving instructor in Thailand may not be so applicable in breezy Britain
Dealing with Culture Shock
Many aspects of other cultures are the direct opposite to ours. A lot of independent girls will find traditional cultures restrictive and possibly even offensive, and gay couples might struggle in some countries where such a lifestyle choice is not only looked down upon, but illegal
Being Far from Home
For some gap year travellers, being on the other side of the world is the ultimate bonus. But if you’ve got family issues (sick parents or siblings) you might think twice about locating yourself in Patagonia for a year. Also, be prepared to accept you’ll miss out major events, such as friends’ weddings or reunions, while you’re gone