International Opportunities
When seeking out an international job opportunity there are typically two ways for a US citizen to work:
Working as a US contracted employee.
In this case, you would be hired by a US company who will then send you abroad to work. Most often these jobs are for more experienced hires since they are so costly to the employer. If you find an opportunity like this the company will usually pay for your move. Other additional benefits may include possibly include airfare back home for the holidays, subsidizing rent, pay foreign taxes, arrange working papers and other ex-pat benefits. One of the most important aspects of this arrangement is payment in dollars.
Working as a national in a foreign country.
In this scenario you would be hired for a foreign organization and you will be paid in the local currency and receive a salary similar to citizens of that country. The challenges in finding this type of work is that there is a ready supply of nationals with similar education levels available for hire and the difficulty in obtaining your work visa.
Another way to obtain the international experience is through Volunteering.
There are often many international volunteering opportunities but you must remember the expense of traveling and living abroad without any pay. Some organizations may pay a stipend and provide room and board, but others may require you to pay them for the experience. There are grants out there for volunteering.
Researching International Opportunities: Getting Started
- Have you studied abroad in the international location you are interested in? Utilize your contacts (Program Directors, Volunteer Coordinators, etc.) from that experience to reach out, network and learn about possible opportunities.
- Haven’t studied abroad? Looking at a different location? Network and contact study abroad program administrators through Office of International Studies for your desired international location.
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Network and Contact language department/ professors for your desired international location.
- Department of Romance Languages and Literature
- Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
- Department of Classics: Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies
- Department of German & Russian Language and Literature
- Department of Irish Languages and Literature -
Network and Contact with alumni in your desired international location. Use various resources including:
- My Notre Dame – ND Alumni Website with directory
- LinkedIn – Social networking site focused on job opportunities and career networking
- Alumni Club Websites – Alumni clubs in your community
- International American Chambers of Commerce - View information about the American Chamber of Commerce in your country of interest. -
Utilize The Career Center Website
- Internships/Internships in the Following Fields/International – Programs, tips and guidance for finding an international internship
- Job Search/Jobs in the Following Fields/Internationa – Programs, tips and guidance for finding an international full-time job
- Go IRISH – Internship and Full-Time Job Opportunities for Notre Dame Students -
Utilize The Career Center OnLine Library
- UniWorld – Used to locate US companies that operate abroad
- Job Central – An international jobs link -
Established Programs and Other Resources
- Teach English Programs – If interested in this opportunity, check out these websites for tips and finding reputable programs
Top Tips for Finding Reputable Language Schools
Evaluating Job Offers from Schools Abroad)
- Fee Based Programs – Some programs have significant placement fees while others cover the cost of transportation, living and other expenses
- In-country job boards – Search engines have multiple country searches, or check out a specific company’s website and their abroad opportunities
Indeed
Simply Hired
CareerJet.com
- Service/Volunteer Programs – There are assorted programs of service or volunteer opportunities abroad, check out the Unpaid Programs via International opportunities on The Career Center website
- BUNAC – “Working Adventures Worldwide” offers internship and full-time opportunities in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, France, Ireland, and various volunteer opportunities as well
- Universities — Check out other university career sites to see their tips for international job searches
- Other — Check out these other websites for various opportunities abroad
StudyAbroad.Com
BCA Study Abroad
Identifying Further Job Opportunities
- If you have studied abroad stay connected with faculty and friends abroad
- Connect with international Alumni through myNotreDame and Alumni Clubs
- Identify targeted international company information utilizing CareerSearch
- Look for opportunities on Go IRISH
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2Seeds Network
- The 2Seeds Network is an incorporated non-profit which serves as an umbrella organization incubating small, efficient, and effective agricultural development projects in Africa. 2Seeds focuses on selecting, training, and menotring bright and passionate graduates at the beginning of their careers to work with their African Partners. -
ACCION International
- A nonprofit group operating in Central and Latin America for the purpose or reducing poverty and improving the employability of the poor. Offers all types of internships, both paid and unpaid. Internships open to college undergraduates, graduates, graduate students, and those with work experience. Positions require good organization and communication skills. Send a resume and cover letter to the Communications Specialist. -
Aclipse
-Aclipse is dedicated to connecting enthusiastic college grads with English teaching jobs in Korea. - BlueEnergy- blueEnergy recruits volunteers from around the world to assist in its mission of improving lives in marginalized communities using a holistic approach to sustainable energy and related fundamental services. Volunteers form a core component of blueEnergy’s capacity by bringing much needed expertise, experience and energy, while in return gaining an experience of a lifetime.
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China Education Initiative
- Established in 2008 under the auspices of Princeton University, Tsinghua University, and the Ford Foundation, CEI is an innovative non-profit organization taking a unique approach to eliminating educational inequity in China by enlisting the US and China’s most promising future leaders in the effort. CEI meets the pressing need for exceptional teachers in China’s understaffed low-income rural schools, while fostering a constituency of young leaders positioned to advance the cause of educational equity and effect long-term systemic change. The program is a two-year fully paid commitment teaching in under priveleged areas of China. -
Cultural Embrace
- Cultural embrace offers customized international travel itineraries for individuals or groups to volunteer, intern, teach, work, take cultural classes, and travel. Program fees ranging from $100-$4,000 include housing, meals, and sometimes transportation for these global full-time, intern, and volunteer opportunities. -
Center for Cultural Interchange
- CCI is a registered nonprofit organization established in 1985, headquartered in Chicago. Works mostly with Ministris of Education around the world to recruit native English speakers to posts in public and private schools. Currently, teachingpositions in South Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Chile and the Republic of Georgia available. Most programs require no previous teaching experience. Most are FREE and offer excellent salart and benefits packages. Volunteer opportunities also available. -
DevJobs
- Job announcements in various international development fields, and a link to other development job sites. - Federation of International Trade Associations
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Global Career Center
- An international career services site with foreign and domestic jobs. Search jobs by country or job category, or search employer lists. -
InterExchange
- InterExchange Career Training USA assists international students and young professionals with securing internships and practical training programs in the U.S. Our programs help participants to develop the professional skills necessary to work in an increasingly interdependent world. We also provide U.S. employers with access to highly motivated and qualified international candidates, who not only help to diversify the workplace but who also provide the international insight and cultural perspective organizations need to compete in the global market. -
Network ESL
-Network ESL places teachers in China and is a liscenced provider of quality english and ESL teachers into liscenced, authorized Chinese schools. -
NTK Academic Group
-Hong Kong's leading educational service provider for schools following US, UK, or IB curricula. NTK is currently looking for ambitious, passionate and career-oriented professionals to fill the following vacancies: full time teacher, educational assistant, and administration/customer service officer. -
Prep-Zone
- The Prep Zone is searching for a capable and independent professional who is passionate about teaching GMAT, GRE and/or SAT. We are looking for a hardworking team player who brings intense drive and honesty to the role.The Prep Zone is a great place to work if you're seeking training experience or if you want a challenging and fulfilling full-time job. Trainers receive paid training and ongoing support to build their teaching, presenting, and mentoring skills. Contact mike@prep-zone.com for more details. - The One World Foundation
- The Riley Guide
- Teaching English Opportunities
- Escape Artist; Escape from America Overseas Jobs Pages
- Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme
- The Haitian Project
- Maryknoll Volunteer Teachers Program in China
- World Teach – requires a program fee
- Wall Street Journal – “Advanced Search”
- Foreign Policy Association Job Board
- Idealist
- Jobs Abroad
- Notre Dame Student International Business Council
- Bunac
- International Employment
- Uniworld
- JobCentral
- StudentsGoAbroad.Com
Professional Organizations
Work Visas
Students need to arrange passports and work visas well in advance and the process may be lengthy. Research the requirements of the specific country that you are targeting in order to obtain the necessary documents for legally obtaining paid work abroad. Keep in mind that if you are not going through an exchange program or through BUNAC, this process is very difficult and rarely done for summer hires.