Balancing studies and work: a student’s guide to part-time jobs
- Yusra Khan
- Dec 17, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 22
By Guru H, November 18, 2024
Got your acceptance letter from a university abroad? Great! It can be both overwhelming and exciting – a new country and university with plenty of opportunities, an entirely different culture and new people around. But the significant expenses of tuition fees, accommodation and more can be intimidating. That’s where a part-time job can be an attractive choice for international students.
Working at a global study abroad consultancy, I interact with many students who study abroad or aspire to pursue higher education at universities overseas. Here’s a comprehensive guide I’ve put together on the importance of part-time jobs, the associated challenges and, most importantly, tips to help you take on part-time work without affecting your studies. Shall we dive in?
Why should you work part-time?
Having an income can make finances more manageable.
By working part-time, you can show employers that you can juggle studies and work. Employers will note that you can multitask since you’re already good at time management and teamwork.
You will also expand your professional network. These connections can help you build your future career. Plus, it’s a great way to meet locals and understand their work culture.
However, there might be a few obstacles while taking up part-time jobs abroad.
What are the challenges regarding part-time jobs?
Visa and restrictions on working hours
Most countries have set limitations on working hours for international students. Mostly it’s about 20 hours per week during the academic term, but this varies between countries.
Limited part-time roles
Many businesses might prefer native students for part-time roles rather than international students. However, lots of international students find part-time work at retail stores, cafés or at their universities. Additionally, part-time jobs such as online tutoring and content writing are listed on a number of online portals.
Finding the right job
It’s not always easy to find part-time jobs related to your field of study, so you might end up in roles that don’t match your career goals. But this isn’t a negative thing because part-time jobs make you more efficient at multitasking and adapting to the local work culture.
Language barriers
Lack of fluency in the local language can be an obstacle. But, if you’re willing to strive, there’s no better way to overcome language barriers and gel with the country’s culture.
Study stress
Obviously there will be days when you’re exhausted by exam stress but still have to show up at work. However, planning is key. With a good routine, this should be manageable.
Now that you know the importance and the challenges of working part-time while studying abroad, here are some tips to enable study-work balance.
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