Working abroad. For many people, it’s a dream – but it needn’t remain a dream. That’s proved by these five inspiring VUB alumni, who dreamed of an international career and went out into the world to grab it. Because we as a network can learn from each other, we asked them to share their stories in a webinar. Our goal? To make sure you’re as prepared as possible before you set off on your own adventure. So you know what to take with you and what to leave behind. Here are the five most important tips from the interview.

  1. Your twenties are all about gaining experience

    In your twenties, you’re in the prime of life. You’re figuring out where your interests lie. With your choice of study and career path, you’re choosing the direction of the rest of your life. This is when you grow into the adult you want to be – so it’s important that you try out lots of new things, make mistakes and learn from them. It’s the best way to understand what you want to do and – just as important – what you don’t want to do.

    Is working abroad your big dream? Or has a new job given you the chance to work in another country? Step out of your comfort zone and grab that chance! You’ll learn to be open to other cultures, meet new people, expand your network… In short: with an open mind, the world is at your feet. And if it really doesn’t work out? Well, you can always book a ticket back home.

     

  2. If you want to work abroad, you have to make it happen

    If you want to work abroad, you have to actively look for opportunities.

    PIf you’re in an interview for a job with a Belgian company, ask whether a foreign posting is an option. That way you’ll immediately know where you stand. Or even better: don’t wait for an offer to appear out of the blue but apply directly for overseas jobs.

     

  3. Be well prepared

    Find out which documents you need to work abroad legally – such as a visa or work permit – and how to apply for them. Check how long these documents allow you to stay in a country. Then you can start looking for a suitable place to live.

    NAnother important thing to research: the cost. Negotiate your salary if you can. Make a broad estimate of what you need to spend to survive (accommodation, food, transport...). And make sure you have some extra in reserve for emergencies.

    EXTRA TIP - Don’t be afraid to ask the HR department of your foreign employer for help. For example, ask if they can arrange temporary housing until you find something suitable yourself. Or ask them to list the administrative procedures you need to know about. That way you can be confident you know what you’re doing.

     

  4. Cancel your home address in Belgium

    If you’ve been abroad for at least a year, you may want to consider changing your home address. In this case, you’ll be removed from the Belgian population register. When you arrive at your destination, it’s a good idea to register with the Belgian consulate or embassy there, which means you’ll be able to call on them for help if you lose your passport, etc.

    The fiscal advantage of deregistering is that you’ll no longer have to pay taxes and health insurance in Belgium.

    EXTRA TIP - Make sure health insurance is part of your international salary package. Otherwise it can be very expensive.

     

  5. Consider yourself a local

    If you opt to work outside Europe, you’re quite likely to experience culture shock. And that can be a real challenge. At times like that, it helps if you can fall back on a network of friends and family. You might even want to go home for a few weeks if the homesickness gets too bad – and that’s also perfectly normal in the beginning.

    Once you’ve taken that first step, though, you need to build a family abroad. Make sure you don’t get stuck in your safe bubble of expats. Go to events, connect with locals, respect their customs. You don’t need to be fluent in the local language(s), but you do need to show people that you want to integrate and that you care. And after all, taking on that challenge is exactly why you’re there, isn’t it?

    EXTRA TIP - Before you leave, try to build a network through social media.



About the speakers

This article was created thanks to the wise life lessons of these five VUB alumni, who each have overseas work experience on their CVs:

The alumni for this panel discussion were carefully selected by Eutopia Career Ambassadors. Curious to hear their inspiring stories? Re-watch the full webinar here (link follows asap).

And click here for even more career tips and content inspiration (in Dutch).



An initiative of the VUB Alumni Network

This format came about thanks to a partnership with the Oudstudentenbond (OSB), the VUB Career Center and the faculty alumni associations.



This is a great example of how cooperation can build sustainable connections. By bringing postgrad students and recent graduates into contact with alumni, we are building a unique alumni network and thus the future! #TheWorldNeedsYou

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