The Importance of Networking While Studying Abroad

Going and studying abroad is life-changing in many ways, but one of the most valuable and often overlooked dimensions is the networking opportunities that studying abroad provides. Sure, you can list academic and cultural experience accomplishments - they are all legitimate and great benefits of going abroad, but who you connect with while abroad can affect your career and personal life for decades.

Source: Google Images

Building a Global Professional Network

Your time spent studying in another country will provide you with several great opportunities to meet people from different professions, cultures, and industries. Your fellow classmates from other countries, as well as local students, professors, and professionals you meet through internships or part-time jobs, will all be part of your growing network. And this network will become valuable not just in your field of study but will span multiple industries and can lead to opportunities you hadn’t even considered. 

Just imagine the possibilities: that classmate from Brazil may one day lead a start-up and be looking for international talent, or your classmate from Germany in your lab takes on an important role when your organization expands into Europe. The thrill of these unexpected opportunities is what makes networking while studying abroad so exciting. 

As you build relationships today, they will become valuable sources of professional support for tomorrow. 

Access to Hidden Opportunities

A significant portion of the most desirable jobs will never be publicly posted and are instead shared through networks and connections. By growing your network while you are abroad, you provide yourself with a ticket into these hidden job markets while simultaneously expanding your network across two different countries. 

Your professor may know of some research openings, your internship supervisor may recommend you for jobs after graduation or a friend in your dorm may tell you about one of their family's companies that is hiring. 

You will find that some international students who networked during their study abroad experience will end up with job offers, sometimes in a country they were not even planning to work in.

Practical Networking Strategies

• Begin by exploring your current context. Engage with fellow students, participate in student associations, and get involved in campus activities. 

Don't forget to venture beyond academics - attend local meet-ups, dedicate time to helping organizations in the community in your spare time, and consider part-time employment or internships. 

• Social media can be a powerful tool to build your network. If you meet a person who relates to your discipline or area of interest, utilize LinkedIn to connect. Post about the experience of studying abroad or something else exciting that you have experience with. Even a small like or an interaction with someone’s post can be a big step to something you can't see coming yet. 

Finally, remember that networking is about establishing genuine relationships, not about collecting a stack of business cards. Be curious about what someone is doing or experiencing, help out when you can, and check in after you have re-engaged with the home context.

Long-term Career Impact

The network you establish while studying abroad can only become more valuable as time passes. As your connections develop in their careers, they may find themselves in a position of privilege that allows them to offer you opportunities, partnerships, or valuable perspectives and prospects. Many successful professionals experience a career-defining moment after making connections while studying abroad. 

Additionally, an international network positions you for international career opportunities. In a time where remote work and global collaboration are becoming so commonplace, these connections can ultimately connect you with outstanding international or entrepreneurial opportunities at some point.

Conclusion

Although academic learning is the primary focus of studying abroad, the networking component is equally essential to your ultimate success. The relationships you create during this formative experience will yield professional opportunities, cultural insight, and personal growth that you carry with you well beyond your time traveling. Embrace networking, bring your best self, and studying abroad will surely become a career catalyst that can mold your professional journey in ways that you never could have anticipated. This reassurance about the value of your networking efforts should inspire you to make the most of your study abroad experience.

We understand that the application process can be overwhelming, so we're here to support you. The study abroad experts at Hello Study Global are there for you every step of the way. From preparing for entrance exams to college applications, we will guide you to success.

Feel free to reach out to us at Hello Study Global.

Contact Us