What are my options for working abroad?
For most students and recent graduates, your best bet is to go through special programs for working, interning, volunteering or teaching abroad. Students (especially at the graduate level) also find their own placements abroad, sometimes with help from their professors. The International Center has extensive resources to help you find programs for working abroad. International Career Pathways is a series of panels that provides information on global internship and career options, as well as an international opportunities fair.
Do I need a Visa to work Abroad?
In most cases, you will need a special type of visa known as a work permit. But sometimes when you need training you will get tourist Visa arriving there and switch it to work permit when you get the training certificate. During the period of training you won’t get paid. Working for pay without a work permit is usually illegal and may put you at risk of deportation. Special programs for working, interning and volunteering abroad can usually help arrange for a work permit. If you are not going through a work in China program, a work permit can generally be obtained only with assistance from your overseas employer.WIC provides a visa obtaining service when you get an offer from China.
How to avoid working abroad scams?
Working abroad is pretty much the dream. After all, there isn’t a much better situation than getting paid to live abroad! However, it is unfortunately becoming increasingly easy and common for scammers to take advantage of eager, unsuspecting applicants. Please take a note for these ways to avoid scams:
- Always find a local professional agency to help you. Most of these agencies provide their recruitment services free of charge to the candidate. Avoid directly applying with foreign companies on your own(without agency assistance) unless the company you want to apply with has branches in your own country.
- Check the requirements of the position and if the country standard requires you to have a bachelor degree as a minimum qualification requirement then be careful of jobs that require a lesser qualification as a minimum requirement – They are probably a Scam!
- Legit companies will always require interviews (via Skype or WeChat) with their prospective candidates. Most of the genuine positions require a 2 to 3 step interview process. If you get an offer after submitting your CV then it is probably a scam.
- Check your contract carefully, if the contract stipulates that you will not be paid for 3 months then it is probably a scam. Most of the positions require a probation period of 1 month
Can I work in China for a short period ? 3 - 6 months ?
The shortest contract term for most jobs in CHINA is 12 months.
What kind of Jobs are available for me, after graduating ?
There are quite a variety of options. One very basic consideration is how long you want to work in China. If you’re willing to commit a year, programs for teaching English abroad would be an excellent choice. Finally, for those willing to commit to a stay abroad of two years or more, please contact to our recruiter.
I am considering working in a foreign language environment, but I am not sure if my language skills are good enough. What do employers expect from foreign employees or interns?
If you do choose to work in a foreign language that you’ve already studied, communicating in a foreign language at the workplace is certainly one of the most challenging parts of working abroad, but it should not intimidate you for several reasons.
Firstly, you would be surprised at how comfortable you may become in the language, since you will be immersed in it every day. Second, employers understand that you are not a native speaker and will have a certain level of patience for language difficulties you might have. Be ready to work hard, but most likely you won’t be required to independently publish reports in a language you aren’t completely fluent in. Finally, your superiors will be excited to have someone from another country working with them and will want their company to make a good impression on you.
In short, do not be intimidated. The atmosphere probably won’t be as stressful as you think. Also, note that it’s not always necessary to work in the language (if other than English) of the host country. For example, teachers of English as a foreign language are rarely required to know the host country’s language.
Some programs say I need to find my own housing. I am totally lost. Where should I start looking?
Just showing up in China and finding a place to live is certainly a challenge, but it is not as difficult as it might sound. Research can be done in advance or you can begin your search after you arrive and stay in a youth hostel until you find a room. Information can usually be found online, in local newspapers, or on public posting boards on university campuses. Also, while your employer, work-abroad or study-abroad program might require that you find your own housing, this doesn’t mean they won’t provide you with any help. Most likely, they have assisted others in the past and know the best places to start looking. Be aware that housing is a significant cost. In addition to monthly payments, most landlords require an up-front security deposit, so be prepared to make a sizeable cash payment directly upon arrival.
How can I prepare for cultural differences and feelings of homesickness or loneliness when I'm abroad?
You might experience culture shock both when you go abroad and (more unexpectedly) when you return, since being immersed in a foreign culture changes the way you view your own. Usually returnees are excited to see friends and family, but there is certainly a chance that you will find yourself bored after a few weeks at home. While you were off having the time of your life, having new experiences every day, life at home has probably not changed much since you left.
How will I feel when I finally come home after a long time in China?
When you get back you might want to embrace your culture again or even be tempted to reject it. Either way, you should give yourself time to readapt before forming any permanent opinions about your home.