Overseas opportunities

Gain international work experience

Macquarie University provides many opportunities for you to pursue overseas work experience. International work experience can help you develop your professional and life skills, and make your resume stand out.

Benefits

Overseas work experience can help you develop the following professional and life skills:

• cultural awareness and competency
• initiative
• problem-solving
• time management
• cross-cultural communication
• teamwork

If you don't have enough space in your degree for a semester abroad, there are other experiences to consider:

• Working full-time or part-time in a professional capacity – a work while you study approach. Use your network to tap into opportunities, contact overseas recruitment agencies, or look through job searching websites.
• Working holidays
• Volunteering
• Vacation or other short-term programs and overseas internships

Prepare

When preparing for work overseas, ask yourself these questions:

• What kind of work experience do I want?
• Do I want to go through a program or make independent arrangements?
• What programs could I apply for independently?
• Do I need work visas? Check your eligibility for working in a particular country by contacting the relevant foreign embassy.
  • The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides a list of embassies on their website.
  • A working holiday visa is a useful way to try living in a new country. Working Holidays Overseas for Australians provides advice on visas available to young Australians.
• What do I need to know about the country I am considering? Refer to Smart Traveller for a starting point in learning more about your new country.

Overseas opportunities available through Macquarie

PACE International offers you the opportunity to gain international work experience as part of your degree with one of our vast network of host organisations around the world.