What are the 7 questions you can ask before working abroad?

Your own motivation influences your search, the choices you make and the eventual job you find. It is good for yourself and the people around you to have an open attitude and to be ready for the local population. Even if you want to improve the world, you must remember that you cannot solve all problems in the short term. In addition, good preparation is essential when you work abroad. The questions below will help you list your wishes and requirements or options. This way you can ensure that the work meets your wishes or that your expectations match the possibilities.

1. What are your skills and what skills do you still want to acquire when you work abroad?

Consider, for example, skills learned during your education, work experience, volunteer work and in your interests. But also think about what you want to learn during your work experience. Are there specific skills that you would like to develop?

Consider, for example, differences between practical and executive or more analytical and policy-oriented. You can also consider work where external customer contact is central, or where you work more for the internal organization. You can also consider preferences in the field of working independently, working in a team or leadership.

Do you want to work at a commercial company, a non-profit organization or a government institution? Which sector(s) appeal to you most? There are often major differences in working atmosphere, priorities and policies. Feel free to ask friends, fellow students and family about their work experience to get an idea of the types of organizations and the differences per sector.

Living and working in one place for a long time is different from traveling from one place to another to do your business. You may wonder whether you are someone who can easily relate to very diverse cultures can cope or whether you prefer to adapt to one culture and environment and immerse yourself in it.

Some people love the warmth of the tropics, others prefer the Scandinavian winters. Does the location you have in mind suit your desired temperature? What about your social contacts? Are you going to your new place with someone or are you going out alone? What is important to you to feel happy and can you find that at the location you have in mind? Are there enough challenges within, but also outside of work, and with the people and opportunities around you?

Are you looking for a workplace in a metropolis such as New York, New Delhi or Mexico City? Or are you looking for a workplace in the middle of nature (such as at an ecolodge). Something in between is of course also possible, for example in a provincial town. In many places in the world, they are often as large in terms of inhabitants as The Hague or Rotterdam, and offer many amenities, without necessarily being a city of millions. What kind of accommodation are you looking for and do you need anything in terms of transport (a local car / access to public transport)

Are you looking for a completely different environment (such as a slum in Manila or living among the bears in Alaska)? Or would you rather look for a place where you can rent an apartment with running water, electricity and access to public transport?

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