Start work abroad

On Thursday, Oct. 22nd, the Weissman Center for International Business held the Work Abroad Fair with different organizations that provided information about their programs and destinations.

AIESEC USA, CDS International, Inter Exchange, Masa Israel, Cross-Cultural Solutions, French-American Chamber of Commerce, and the Charles Rangel International Affairs Program were the seven organizations that attended the event.

Zoie Blackwood, the Work Abroad coordinator, stressed the importance of students working abroad. Blackwood said, “I encourage all students to work abroad whether you are a business major or a liberal arts major because it adds dynamism to your overall degree.”

On average, 20 to 25 students per year actually go through with the process and work abroad. Students should usually begin the process of looking for an internship, visas, and paper work about a semester before.

“Some of the work abroad opportunities are very useful for the future. My work abroad opportunity lead me to the career that I have right now,” said Tami Shaloum, a representative for InterExchange.

The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program offers a six-week summer program designed to provide students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in international affairs. The program takes place at Howard University in Washington D.C. The program gives students insight into the foreign policy decision-making process and international affairs careers, while at the same time introducing them to a wide range of professionals.

Julia Socha, a sophomore at Baruch College, worked abroad in Xi’An, China and taught English to young students. When asked about her experience abroad, Socha said, “I developed self growth and professional growth. I was put into an unfamiliar position that I had to learn to adapt to.”

Socha said, “I would recommend other students to work abroad because you become culturally aware and celebrate cultural diversity.”

1 comments

CBB

Tue Nov 3 2009 18:06

Unlike studying abroad, which is an expense when looking at it purely on financial sense, working abroad could be a great investment, especially the job market in the United States for some professions is expected to be flat with little or negative grow in the next 5 to 10 years. You can either wait for 5 to 10 years and continue your job search in U.S., or you can already be working in a foreign location.

Like everything, there is strength and weakness. If the benefit outweighs the cost, why not? Take a risk, dip your foot in and test the water, then take a plunge.

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