Anyone doing a degree which involves studying/working abroad?

genuinegal

Heyall!
I'm thinking of doing International Business for my degree choice in September 2009, which involves studying/working away in a choice of foreign countries. Did you feel the opportunity being away really helped with your degree and was it easy to settle in/find somewhere to live/financially support yourself?

I'm hoping to study/work in Rome as part of an International Business degree.

I'd be really interested to hear from those with their experiences of working/studying abroad as part of their degree and what country they went to.

456789

I didn't do this - but work experience is highly valued by employers and if it is done in another country it tends to carry even more weight

If you think that you can afford it, will settle in well and will be ok with the language then I would say go for it

Rikki

My sons going to China. :eek: :cool:

Hippychick

I studied for a year in France as part of my degree. I have to say it was one of the best things I ever did. I have absolutely no regrets, became fluent in French, spent lots of time on the beach and made loads of great friends from all over Europe.

If you can afford it I would say go for it! I doubt any employers would frown upon that, and you never know it could lead to a permanent job in Europe.

Forgot to mention, we just turned up, booked a hotel for a week, visited loads of letting agents and found and moved into a beautiful apartment within a week. Just do plenty of research before you go, particularly regarding the bureaucracy side of things and make sure you apply for the correct paperwork etc.

I did this in 2000 so not sure if the system has changed but because we were abroad we were entitled to a larger student loan amount to help with the finances, we also received a rent rebate from the french govt which helped loads. It is worth checking out if the Italian Govt offers similar sorts of assistance.

Rikki

Hippychick wrote: »

I studied for a year in France as part of my degree. I have to say it was one of the best things I ever did. I have absolutely no regrets, became fluent in French, spent lots of time on the beach and made loads of great friends from all over Europe.

If you can afford it I would say go for it! I doubt any employers would frown upon that, and you never know it could lead to a permanent job in Europe.

Forgot to mention, we just turned up, booked a hotel for a week, visited loads of letting agents and found and moved into a beautiful apartment within a week. Just do plenty of research before you go, particularly regarding the bureaucracy side of things and make sure you apply for the correct paperwork etc.

I did this in 2000 so not sure if the system has changed but because we were abroad we were entitled to a larger student loan amount to help with the finances, we also received a rent rebate from the french govt which helped loads. It is worth checking out if the Italian Govt offers similar sorts of assistance.

Where did you study in France?

TDQO

I'm currently spending a year in Australia as part of my Mining Engineering degree and it's been awful so far! The section of the company we're in (3 of us) thought we'd be cheap labour and thought we were mechanical engineers not miners. We've had very little work that's relevant to our degree and our pay is below minimum wage! Unfortunately we're on sponsored visa's so can't just quit and find another job.

I'm actually moving to a coal mine on Sunday because my boss finally agreed to "lend" me to another company.

My advice is:

- check exactly what the company employing you does
- get a contract early on and if you're not hapopy with it then refuse to sign.