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3 Tips for working abroad

International experience can work wonders for your career development. Working abroad is a chance to develop both professionally and personally. It isn’t all dreamy sunsets and non-stop fun, though. You will come across challenges as you adapt to working internationally, and when times get tough you might need some help getting through. We’ve put together 3 tips to help you glide over any hurdles thrown into your path and find success working abroad.

Start you research now

The world is a big place, and there are so many locations where you can build your career. So, you might have been on holiday in the country, but while this will give you a good feel for the place, there’s a lot more information you’ll need to make an informed decision about your move overseas. What’s the job market really like in your space? How frequently do opportunities come up – and how mobile is the market? How much will you need to make to cover rent and essentials like food and public transport? And if you’re seriously considering making a move, take a deeper dive into the culture. Watch documentaries, read articles about the city, learn basic phrases in the language, and even research commutes.

Find a friend

What people often don’t factor in is how much they will miss their friends and family and how hard it can be to get yourself settled into a new culture and country where you don’t really know anyone. That sense of disconnect from what means home to you can be unexpectedly powerful, so if you can find a friend of a friend or a colleague on the ground who can show you the ropes, it makes a huge difference – just practical things like where to shop or how to get a good mobile deal.

Embrace the change.

One of the most important tips on working abroad that will help you make sure you achieve your professional and personal goals is to make sure you expect, appreciate, and take advantage of the lessons in an experience that will direct you toward your deeper purpose and life plan. It’s important to understand that once you find work abroad, your life will most likely never be the same. Work abroad programs make sure that you have gained incredible insight into the global community, you have developed new perspectives, and you have seen parts of the world you were never expecting. But, if you want to fully succeed in finding work abroad, recognize the greatness of the opportunity and be open to letting the experience permeate your mind.

Working abroad can open up countless new personal and professional adventures and opportunities. If you can grow your career in a great role and build an enriching life in a new culture, the sky’s the limit. Follow our tips above on working abroad, get yourself in the traveling state of mind, and find work abroad that suits your delicious desire to see and experience the world for everything that it is!

If you’re looking to work abroad in South Africa, make sure you click through to our job section.