How to Maximize Your Networking Opportunities While Studying Abroad

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Pursuing further studies abroad can be an exciting experience as you learn to juggle your personal life, academics and career all on your own. For many students, it is the first taste of freedom and independence. However, navigating life in a foreign country can get lonely without your family and friends to support and guide you.

Study abroad consultants recommend that students make connections with peers, mentors and university alumni for better career opportunities and guidance.

How does networking help you?

Building a network is more than just finding a group of friends in your city. Networking offers students the opportunity to build a community of people who can guide and support you in your personal and professional life.

A chance to make lifelong friends

Many students find it difficult to adjust to living abroad alone, especially if they no longer have an inner circle of friends to share their daily struggles and wins with. While they may be able to call home and vent about their new life abroad,it isn’t the same unless you have someone experiencing a similar situation with you. Networking allows you to find like-minded individuals among the students in your university that can make the time spent abroad feel like a second home. You can even connect with people living near you at gatherings or events held near your student accommodation providers.

Exchange ideas and knowledge

Networking opens you up to new ideas and perspectives that allows you to grow in your field. Sharing ideas about research or passion projects with your connections allows you to gain valuable feedback and advice on how you can grow and proceed further. Moreover, you can discuss and share information about opportunities in your field. Working on a problem together can give new perspectives and unique results.

Establish your brand

Certain careers require you to establish a personal brand to flourish. For instance, people interested in business and leadership, art and design, multi-level marketing, therapy and even setting up a doctor’s practice; building a personal brand is essential for career growth. Networking allows you to connect with senior executives or experienced individuals whose insights will help you successfully launch your personal brand.

How to build your network while studying abroad

Networking abroad opens you up to a global playing field to establish your brand. It affords growth in both your academic and professional spheres by giving you access to resources, career advice from senior leaders and even job opportunities. So, how do you find networking opportunities in a foreign country?

Join a club, group or organization

The best way to grow your network and build a community of like-minded individuals is by registering for relevant clubs operating on-campus. Most universities offer a range of student clubs or organizations open for volunteering. Apart from adding significant experience to your resume, these clubs offer a chance to mingle with students who have similar interests. Many clubs host events that allow you to hone personal development skills, attend networking events and even enhance skills related to your career. There are also some globally established clubs such as Rotaract (focused on personal development and social work) or Toastmasters (focused on building public speaking skills).

Social Media Networks

In the age of media and technology, growing your network involves sharing your profile on networking sites online. LinkedIn is one of the most popular social networking sites for job opportunities and knowledge about your field. Other sites where you can connect with people include : Let’s Lunch, Opportunity, Doostang or Meetup. Let’s Lunch and Meetup are sites that allow you to make connections online and meet up with them in person. Doostang offers job opportunities in niche fields such as finance, tech, media or consulting. Opportunity uses a matchmaking algorithm to make professional connections.

Connect with Professors, Faculty and Alumni

International students can make important connections with the professors and faculty of the university. Attending faculty mixers allows you to interact with faculty who are working on research projects you are interested in. This allows you to establish a relationship so you can seek their guidance when you are writing your own dissertation. Alumni are usually eager to connect with incoming students. You can connect with them for guidance and career opportunities on social media, alumni events or through university hosted mentorship programs.

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However, navigating life in a foreign country can get lonely without your family and friends to support and guide you.&nbsp;</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.uscholars.in/\"><u>Study abroad consultants</u></a>&nbsp;recommend that students make connections with peers, mentors and university alumni for better career opportunities and guidance.&nbsp;</p>\n<h1>How does networking help you?</h1>\n<p>Building a network is more than just finding a group of friends in your city. Networking offers students the opportunity to build a community of people who can guide and support you in your personal and professional life.&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>A chance to make lifelong friends</h2>\n<p>Many students find it difficult to adjust to living abroad alone, especially if they no longer have an inner circle of friends to share their daily struggles and wins with. While they may be able to call home and vent about their new life abroad,it isn’t the same unless you have someone experiencing a similar situation with you. Networking allows you to find like-minded individuals among the students in your university that can make the time spent abroad feel like a second home. You can even connect with people living near you at gatherings or events held near your&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.beststudenthalls.com/\"><u>student accommodation providers</u></a>.</p>\n<h2>Exchange ideas and knowledge</h2>\n<p>Networking opens you up to new ideas and perspectives that allows you to grow in your field. Sharing ideas about research or passion projects with your connections allows you to gain valuable feedback and advice on how you can grow and proceed further. Moreover, you can discuss and share information about opportunities in your field. Working on a problem together can give new perspectives and unique results.&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>Establish your brand</h2>\n<p>Certain careers require you to establish a personal brand to flourish. For instance, people interested in business and leadership, art and design, multi-level marketing, therapy and even setting up a doctor’s practice; building a personal brand is essential for career growth. Networking allows you to connect with senior executives or experienced individuals whose insights will help you successfully launch your personal brand.&nbsp;</p>\n<h1>How to build your network while studying abroad</h1>\n<p>Networking abroad opens you up to a global playing field to establish your brand. It affords growth in both your academic and professional spheres by giving you access to resources, career advice from senior leaders and even job opportunities. So, how do you find networking opportunities in a foreign country?</p>\n<h2>Join a club, group or organization</h2>\n<p>The best way to grow your network and build a community of like-minded individuals is by registering for relevant clubs operating on-campus. Most universities offer a range of student clubs or organizations open for volunteering. Apart from adding significant experience to your resume, these clubs offer a chance to mingle with students who have similar interests. Many clubs host events that allow you to hone personal development skills, attend networking events and even enhance skills related to your career. There are also some globally established clubs such as Rotaract (focused on personal development and social work) or Toastmasters (focused on building public speaking skills).</p>\n<h2>Social Media Networks</h2>\n<p>In the age of media and technology, growing your network involves sharing your profile on networking sites online. LinkedIn is one of the most popular social networking sites for job opportunities and knowledge about your field. Other sites where you can connect with people include : Let’s Lunch, Opportunity, Doostang or Meetup. Let’s Lunch and Meetup are sites that allow you to make connections online and meet up with them in person. Doostang offers job opportunities in niche fields such as finance, tech, media or consulting. Opportunity uses a matchmaking algorithm to make professional connections.&nbsp;</p>\n<h2>Connect with Professors, Faculty and Alumni</h2>\n<p>International students can make important connections with the professors and faculty of the university. Attending faculty mixers allows you to interact with faculty who are working on research projects you are interested in. This allows you to establish a relationship so you can seek their guidance when you are writing your own dissertation. Alumni are usually eager to connect with incoming students. You can connect with them for guidance and career opportunities on social media, alumni events or through university hosted mentorship programs.&nbsp;</p>"}]