How to Balance International Student’s Work and Study?

Table of Contents

Introduction

A unique aspect about study abroad for international students is that you can both work and study abroad simultaneously. This means getting exposure to the work culture abroad while you are gaining academic knowledge. However, for many international students balancing the work and study abroad can be challenging. On one hand is the demand of the academic curriculum at university and the other is the excitement of a job that pays salary.

Where can you draw the line of balance to reap maximum benefit from the part time work for international students? This is something a lot of international students struggle with. Students can seek expertise of Abroad Education Consultants to find the right balance. This blog aims to help you understand the significance of balancing work and study abroad and give you tips to set you on the right track.

Understand Your Work and Study Abroad Visa Regulations

As an international student, it is primarily important that you know your visa regulations. You need to check your visa status to know the following conditions of working abroad:

· How many hours of work are you allowed as per your visa while you study?

· What kind of work are you allowed to do as an international student?

· What is defined as on-campus jobs?

· Are you allowed to work off-campus and in what industries?

It is important that you adhere to these regulations carefully as an international student. A grave violation of these visa regulations can affect your visa status and can lead to penalties. You must be very careful to not affect your opportunities as an international student while you work and study abroad.

Let us look at some of the visa regulations of popular study abroad destinations:

Country	Student Visa – Work and Study Regulations
USA	· Under the F-1 student visa, international students can work 20 hours per week while they are studying. · Students are allowed to work full-time in vacations. · Students may not be allowed to work off-campus in their first year. · Off-campus work may be allowed under CPT or OPT, but students must check with the university.
Australia	· International students are allowed to work 48 hours every fortnight while studying. · Students can work full-time with no hourly restrictions in vacations.
United Kingdom	· International students can work up to 20 hours while studying. · Students can take up full-time work in vacations. · Students should be careful to not extend these regulations as it can cause serious consequences and penalties on your visa status.
Canada	· International students can work up to 20 hours while studying. · Students can take up full-time jobs in vacations.

Significance of Working Part-time for International Students

It is important to take up part-time work for international students. This opportunity is not just about making money. Quite often the money earned is not enough to meet daily expenses. If you think you will earn to cover tuition fees and expenses, then you are mistaken. Then why must you take you take up part time work for international students?

Working part-time has multiple benefits beyond money:

· For many students it may be the first time you take up a job. It will help build confidence.

· Part-time work introduces you to the work culture abroad.

· It helps you to build your interpersonal communication skills.

· It motivates you to gain time management skills and professionalism.

· Helps you to connect with people and expand your network.

International students must be prepared to take up part time work abroad. However, it is crucial that you take care that your work does not affect your academic commitment and performance.

Managing Students While Working Abroad

As an international student you should be clear that you have firstly gone abroad to study. That is your primary motive. Working abroad while studying is an addition to the study and not instead of it. Which is why when you work you should make sure that your academics is not getting negatively impacted. You cannot miss your classes, miss project deadlines, or not study properly for tests and exams because you are working.

So then how can you maintain the right balance:

· Choose a job that allows you a flexible work schedule.

· Make sure you do not work till late hours so that your attentiveness towards studies gets affected.

· If you have some important academic commitments like exams, project submissions – then make sure you reduce your work hours during this time.

· Plan your calendar for studies beforehand and make sure you stick to it as far as possible.

· Make sure you prioritize your studies over work and entertainment.

If you maintain a steady performance throughout the year, it reduces your academic stress and pressure and gives you the confidence of balancing work and study abroad.

Applying Effective Time Management Strategies

Good time management strategies are an excellent tool for international students to balance work and study abroad. Students find themselves in a fix often because they have not planned their schedule well. Most often the stress comes in not because academics and work are heavy but because the planning is poor.

Here are some ways in which you can up your time management game:

· Use planner tools that are so easily available on phones for free to make a practical schedule for your studies, work, and personal time.

· Create weekly schedules that detail out your classes, work shifts, and study time.

· Make sure you keep a proper track of your deadlines and test dates.

· Always keep buffer time. Do not make tight schedules that do not have any room for change. This can create panic and stress if you are unable to keep to your time table.

· Break your tasks into smaller and more manageable goals. This can help reduce stress and not let you get overwhelmed.

· Make sure to plan for personal time and breaks. As if you only study and work it will lead to burnout.

Pick the Right Part-Time Job for International Students

It is important to know that although a job may be available it may not be suitable for you as an international student. Make sure you look for jobs that align with your expectations as an international student.

Here are some common part-time work for international students that can help with balancing work and study abroad effectively:

· On-campus jobs like library assistants or student ambassadors.

· Part-time jobs in cafes, restaurants, or hotels.

· Flexible shifts in malls, and other retail shops.

· Internships that are aligned with your course.

International students can first select on-campus jobs. As these jobs can reduce travel time and allow for flexibility in schedule. Make sure you understand the job expectation before taking up any part-time work for international students.

Important of Your Physical Health and Mental Well-Being

Very often international students make a mistake of ignoring their physical and mental well-being. Students are in a rush to prove themselves by focusing on academics, doing well in their jobs. This unnecessary pressure to perform can impact your mental health and consequently your physical health. If you are not healthy – then it is but obvious that your performance in studies and at work will drop.

Thus, it is very important that you take care of the following:

Get proper sleep and rest.
Eat nutritious and healthy food and have a balanced diet.
Keep time for personal entertainment and socializing as well.
Stay connected with your family and friends back home.
Make use of the university support services for international students like counsellor, etc.
Use the university services for physical health – gyms, recreational centres, etc.

A healthy mind and body will help you enhance your academic and work performance. So do not forget to take care of yourself.

Communication is Key

International students should make sure to communicate properly their schedule and academic demands to the concerned people. If you have exams, assignments, and other study commitments, make sure you inform your employer beforehand. If you keep a good open relationship with your employer, where you communicate effectively, this can help in reducing your work pressure.

Similarly, students should speak to their professors if the academic pressure is becoming unmanageable. Your professors can help you adapt well and give you tips to balance your work and study abroad. Communicating your problems beforehand can avoid the situation from escalating and causing more stress.

Seek Expert Advice

The whole experience of studying abroad is new for you as an international student. But you do not have to do this alone. Expert Abroad Education Consultants play an important role in helping you navigate this journey in a smooth and stress-free way. Students can get help with:

· Selecting the right study abroad destination and university.

· Understanding the visa regulations for work and study abroad.

· Preparing for work abroad and understanding the different academic and work expectations from international students.

· Pre-departure and post-landing assistance and support.

Professionals in the domain can help you manage your part-time work for international students. Do not hesitate to seek help and get the right guidance from Abroad Education Consultants before you set out on your study abroad journey.

Conclusion

Balancing work and study abroad has many long-term benefits. However, this can get overwhelming for students especially those who are taking up part-time work for international students for the first time. With effective planning, time management, and guidance from abroad education consultants, this process becomes easier to navigate. You gain experience, build connections, understand budgeting, and adapt to the work culture abroad.

Do not shy away from making the most of your study abroad experience. Connect with our experts at Imperial Overseas Education Consultants in Thane to get guidance on studying abroad.