If you’re interested in working or volunteering abroad but don’t know where to start, here is a step by step guide to finding international opportunities that will develop your skills and experience, and get you a step closer to your dream job.

This guide is based on a presentation delivered by Diana Akinmboni and Sarah Hiscock from the Careers team, alongside the Global Opportunities team. If you want to receive alerts regarding future events, sign up to our newsletter here.

Step 1: Identify appropriate opportunities
Firstly, it is important to ask yourself these questions;

• What are your career aspirations?
• What skills and experience do you want to gain?

Reflecting on these questions will help you narrow down the kind of opportunities you should be looking for. There’s some great advice on the Goldsmiths website here and on the Prospects website that can help you to identify the jobs which would suit you.

Alba Sirvent-Gonzalez, BSc Psychology student, spent five weeks in Sri Lanka completing a work placement focused on mental health and wellbeing. She received a £1,000 Santander Universities Go Abroad bursary to help fund her experience.

The work placement I undertook last summer was aimed at promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in the country of Sri Lanka. During my five-week placement, I participated in the planning and running of sessions for people with different disabilities and mental health conditions, together with other volunteers. I was involved in nine different projects each week, where I worked with individuals with patients in psychiatric facilities, as well as those with special needs and physical impairments. I also taught English to young adults.

Go Abroad blog

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How to Find an International Placement

Step 1: Identify appropriate opportunities
Firstly, it is important to ask yourself these questions;

What I learned working abroad in Sri Lanka

Primary page content

Step 1: Identify appropriate opportunities Firstly, it is important to ask yourself these questions;

Step 1: Identify appropriate opportunities
Firstly, it is important to ask yourself these questions;