Many people spend their entire lives focused on building their career. In some instances, significant sacrifices are made to achieve this.
International travel is often put off in favour of focusing on building careers. However, international travel can benefit your career in some instances.
Have you considered making use of an international travel SIM card?
What is the best time to travel the world
Obviously, there is no time like the present when it comes to planning an international trip. Covid has taught us to appreciate life but to also take time out to prioritise our own goals and dreams.
Summer is traditionally when many people around the world can take a long vacation. The challenge with this is that it is the peak tourist season in many countries. To get around this, travel at the end of spring or the beginning of fall will most likely put you outside of this period.
Planning a trip abroad? make use of a top travel app.
Further reading: Top 110 Best travel apps (2022 International tourist guide).
Careers that allow you to travel abroad
There are many careers that allow you to travel abroad. Some of the most popular careers include:
- Flight Attendant;
- Cruise Ship Worker;
- Travel Agent;
- Customer Service Agent;
- International Aid Worker;
- Foreign Service Officer;
- Consultant;
- English Teacher;
- Journalist;
- Broadcaster; and
- Sportsperson.
How to make calls abroad
Connectivity when travelling is vitally important. It not only allows you to share your experiences with family and firends, it ensures that you are able to respond to any emergency that you may encounter on your travels.
The best way to remain connected is to access a mobile operator network. Ensure that you enable international roaming on your phone or make use of an international Sim card.
Make sure that you know how to respond to an emergency when travelling abroad.
Further reading: Travel emergency tips (Prepare & deal with an emergency abroad).
Career travel benefit 1: You’ll gain lots of skills that employers love
After spending time abroad young people often say they come home feeling more independent and more confident in their own abilities.
Engaging with other cultures and experiencing different ways of doing things improves skills in communication, team work and problem solving. You will learn to appreciate other approaches, adapt to new situations and stay calm when things don’t go as planned.
If that wasn’t enough, international experience suggests to employers that you’re proactive, up for a challenge and have a thirst for life.
Career travel benefit 2: You’ll gain a global outlook
More general than the skills listed above is the global outlook you gain from international experience. In an increasingly international workplace, employers are looking for people who understand different cultures and consider cultural sensitivities.
Whatever your job, having knowledge of how your sector works in other countries will make your CV stand out.
Did you know that there are lifelong benefits to travelling abroad?
Further reading: 10 Life-long benefits of travelling abroad.
Career travel benefit 3: Your language skills will improve
If you think you don’t need to learn another language because you’re working in an English speaking country, think again.
In Scotland, more and more companies are working internationally, so even if you never leave your home town you might have to speak to suppliers in China, contact organisations in Spain or work with your employer’s sister company in Italy. It’s hard to think of a job which wouldn’t benefit from a second language.
There are significant spiritual benefits to international travel.
Further reading: 6 Spiritual benefits of travelling to foreign countries.
Career travel benefit 4: You might discover your dream job
Talking of dream jobs, the most exciting benefit on this list is that through international experience you could discover what you want to do in life!
When you travel you come across new hobbies, events and ways of doing things. You might hear about a job that you didn’t even know existed or find a new interest in a specific field.
Career travel benefit 5: You’ll develop a global network
As well as opening yourself up to new experiences and jobs, international experience allows you to meet a lot of people with different life experience.
This is a great opportunity to learn about new opportunities and tips for getting into different roles. Friendships from fast situations like study abroad and almost by accident you can create a network of contacts across the world. You never know how this might help you in the future.
Career travel benefit 6: You’ll develop stress management skills
You never realize how demanding a country’s business culture is until you travel abroad.
Relaxation, family time, and quality meals are all highly valued by European citizens and underappreciated in other countries. By observing other cultures you can learn ways to create a balance between your own work and personal life.
Perhaps you’ll decide to set aside an hour a day to practice Yoga, or maybe you’ll spend quality time with your family every Sunday. However you choose to relax, it’s important to take the time to unwind from your busy work week.
There are educational benefits to international travel.
Further reading: 4 Educational benefits of travelling abroad
Career travel benefit 7: You’ll cultivate creative thinking skills
The sad truth is that we lose a portion of our imagination as we grow older. There’s not much time for activities that exercise our creativity when you’re busy balancing a full-time job, family, and friends. Traveling is an excellent way to inspire your creative thinking skills.
Whether you choose to travel to India and admire the Taj Mahal, or wonder in amazement at Gaudi’s Park Guell in Barcelona, it’s nearly impossible to not become inspired. After cultivating creative thinking skills, you’ll be able to provide your company with more innovative ideas and suggestions.
Career travel benefit 8: You’ll gain global competence
Traveling opens up your world beyond your immediate neighbourhood, city, and country.
It will give you a deep level of understanding and appreciation for international issues. It will also provide you with the ability to work with people from all different cultural backgrounds. As the business world transitions into a more globalized system, it is essential that you learn to transition with it.
Career Travel benefits FAQ’s
- Why should I consider travelling to improve my career?
After spending time abroad young people often say they come home feeling more independent and more confident in their own abilities. Engaging with other cultures and experiencing different ways of doing things improves skills in communication, team work and problem solving. You will learn to appreciate other approaches, adapt to new situations and stay calm when things don’t go as planned.
- Why do employers value international travel so much?
Employers are constantly looking for employees that are able to think outside of the box and complete tasks with minimal management. Travelling abroad forces you to leave your comfort zone and come up with creative solutions to problems.
- How can travelling benefit my relationships with work colleagues?
There are very few companies in the world where the workforce is made up of one culture. In an increasingly international workplace, employers are looking for people who understand different cultures and consider cultural sensitivities.
- Why should I consider travelling if I am focused and dedicated to building my career?
The sad truth is that we lose a portion of our imagination as we grow older. There’s not much time for activities that exercise our creativity when you’re busy balancing a full-time job, family, and friends. Traveling is an excellent way to inspire your creative thinking skills.
- How do I stay connected when travelling?
The best way to remain connected is to access a mobile operator network. Ensure that you enable international roaming on your phone or make use of an international Sim card.
Related Articles
