life after americorps: options abroad

Living, Traveling, Careers Abroad

Just do it

• getting and living abroad

• learning abroad

• funded research abroad

• careers abroad

Agenda

Departure & Arrival

- Passport & Visa

- Currency exchange

- Transportation

Bank Accounts

- Plan ahead

- Set up country based bank account

- Banking options

Getting Abroad

Phone

- American cell phone services vs. International service

Medical

- Registration for medical benefits

Employment

- Working Visa & US Embassy

Culture Shock- How to deal with it

Family and Friends- Skype

- Facebook

- Blog

Living Abroad

• There are American Universities all over the world!

Advantages: English language instruction, easily transferred and recognized credits, American community in a foreign place

Afghanistan, Antigua, Nicaragua, Armenia, Belgium, UK, Bulgaria, China, Canada, Egypt, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Iraq, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Nigeria, Palestine, Switzerland, Turkey,

UAE

Higher Education Abroad

Foreign Universities

• Advantages: integration into host culture, network to local jobs, opportunity to attend the best institution for a subject in the world

• Challenges: cost may be high for non-citizens, language barrier, application process may be more difficult, academic atmosphere may be unfamiliar

• Many examples

Higher Education Abroad

The Institute for International Education

http://www.iie.org/

• The Fulbright Program provides funding for students, scholars, teachers, and professionals to undertake graduate study, advanced research, and teaching\

• Freeman-ASIA, Boren Awards, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program provide money

Funded Research Abroad

• For those who have done research in undergraduate, mentors are a great resource to ask about colleagues working on similar subjects abroad, as well as a positive reference!

Funded Research Abroad

Skills acquired and developed domestically can be a valuable background to expand into an international career. Cultural aspects of AmeriCorps work are particularly valuable, as many of us work with culturally and ethnically diverse populations.

I. Opportunities

International NGOs, research institutions

Teaching abroad

Cross-cultural outreach

II. Considerations

Work visas, family, housing, safety, stability of position

language, culture, religion, laws

Careers Abroad

Considerations in Applications

• Potential employers may be unfamiliar with universities and organizations you list - consider working in a very brief description of the group

• Add locations and be sure to include international (or cross-cultural) aspects of work experience

Careers Abroad

http://www.ngoabroad.com/

This site is pretty much an end all be all place for international service.

They help you formulate a roadmap, work on resumes and cover letters and placement.

1. FRUGAL INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERING

~More bang for your buck; 1/4th the price.

~More challenge... for students & older.

~See how & where your skills are needed.

~in Africa, Asia or the Americas

Careers Abroad: How To?

a. Career Consultations.

~Learn the ropes & prerequisites.

~Employers need strong skills & experience

built over time. Let's plot your path.

Careers Abroad: How To?

c. Cover Letter & Resume Overhauls

Learn how to "get your foot in the door."

2. International Careers

b. Roadmap of Resources

~Seeking international work? Consult + Roadmap, will save you years of futile frustration.

~Roadmap is packed with current job openings

& the organizations to watch for openings.

~Perfect for special requests ("I always wanted to..)

Organizations maintaining official relations with UNESCO can be found at http://ngo-db.unesco.org/s/or/en

UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).

Its stated purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through:

• education

• science

• culture

This is done in order to further universal respect for:

• justice

• the rule of law

• human rights along with fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the UN Charter.

Careers Abroad: How To?

UNESCO has 195 Member States (it recently added Palestine in November 2011) and eight Associate Members.

UNESCO pursues its objectives through five major programs:

• education

• natural sciences

• social and human sciences

• culture

• communication and information

Projects sponsored by UNESCO include

• literacy

• technical

• teacher-training programmes

• international science programmes

• the promotion of independent media and freedom of the press

• regional and cultural history projects

• the promotion of cultural diversity

• international cooperation agreements to secure the world cultural and natural heritage (World Heritage Sites) and to preserve human rights

• attempts to bridge the worldwide digital divide.

Careers Abroad: How To?

http://jobs.goabroad.com/• by country, region, or area

TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) is n need all over; some positions require a TEFL certification

http://www.interexchange.org/

http://www.overseasjobs.com/

http://www.state.gov/m/fsi/tc/79765.htm]

• US government website with extensive resources

• http://www.backdoorjobs.com/worldwide.html

Online Search

*Research about new country (cost of living, housing, jobs)

goingglobal.com

If I want to work in Paris (for example), how do I begin a job search?

*Depends on which industry – Depends on which country

*Professional salaries/benefits/costs vary by country

*Exchange Rate

How do salaries compare to local salaries?

Teaching

*Council on International Educational Exchange http://www.ciee.org/teach/

(Chile, China, Dominican Republic, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, and Vietnam)

*Many of the American-sponsored schools overseas contract with private organizations in the United States to assist in the recruitment process.

*Directory of Recruiting Organizations: http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/c32321.htm

Career Options

Volunteer

*Peace Corps ---> http://www.peacecorps.gov/

*27 months/ Living allowance + $7,425

*Global Vision International --> http://www.gvi.co.uk

100 different programs, 25 countries

*Cross Cultural Solutions -->

http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/Short term volunteer (Ghana, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania,

China, India, Thailand, Russia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Guatemala, Peru)

Career Options

• "non-profit organization working to enhance cooperation among the US, Cuban and global health communities aimed at better health outcomes"

• Latin American Medical School Program: foreign students can apply to study health issues in Cuba with a scholarship in return for committing to the underserved

MEDICC

WWOOF - Another Living Abroad Option! (Kristen)

• WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.

• WWOOF is an exchange program: you work on an organic farm in exchange for food and a place to live.

• www.wwoof.org

• There are WWOOF host farms all over the world!

• Where do you want to live?

Where Can I WWOOF?

Where Can I WWOOF?

Yes, if:

• You have a genuine interest in learning about organic farming and permaculture;

• You love to be outside and work hard;

• You are eager to become honorary members of your host family.

Is WWOOF Right For Me?

Wait, What is Permaculture?

No, if:

• Physical and outdoor work is not your idea of a good time;

• You really need to start making lots of money right now;

• You love hamburgers (and other animal related treats) but you do not want to know where they come from.

Is WWOOF Right For Me?

• Register with a WWOOF organization

• Research host farms

• Contact potential hosts through email

• Negotiate terms of stay

How Do I Become a WWOOFer?

• Stay at one host farm for as long as you can

• Be open and ready to learn

• Bring a friend

• Get travel insurance and bring some emergency money

Advice From a Former WWOOFer

Do Good and Have Fun!