For any student, money is a real issue. The cost of living just keeps on rising. Landlords love to hammer students for massive rental fees on dingy student houses. What’s more, there’s always a chance that the government will increase the tuition fee again. It’s a wonder that so many of us still want to go to university. For those of us that do get a place, it can be difficult to make ends meet.
Some students have the Bank of Mum and Dad to finance their uni lifestyles. We all know those types, and we all despise them! Not everyone is that lucky. Most of us will need to get a job to get ourselves through uni. The economy isn’t great at the moment, but there are always jobs available for students in the summer. These options are wide-ranging and can help to bolster your CV. (You could take a look at http://www.theleap.co.uk/blog/summer-jobs/ for some ideas if you’re struggling.)
The problem with a lot of summer jobs is their lack of adventure. They can seem a little humdrum for broad-minded students who want to explore. I know that from bitter personal experience. Trust me – spending your summer assembling burgers doesn’t do you any good. It also gives you a bad back, if you’re too tall for the unit. Again, that’s from personal experience.
Scraping together pennies at home isn’t the ideal way to get cash in the summer. To be honest, it’s a total chore, and we’d avoid it at all costs. That’s all well and good, but the money has to come from somewhere. Don’t worry – this is where it gets exciting.
The best way to make money in the summer and have fun at the same time is to work abroad. There are lots of organisations who offer opportunities to work in a different country for the summer. Don’t forget, too, that any EU citizen can move around Europe without worrying. It’s easier than ever to earn money abroad in the summer. A record number of students are taking advantage of these amazing opportunities.
The benefits that come from working abroad in the summer are vast. For one thing, there’s the economic benefits. You’ll make money, and you might not waste it on nights out if you’re in a foreign country! In all seriousness, you can earn a good wage working abroad. What’s more, it’s bound to help you out further down the line. Students who work abroad have an advantage when looking for jobs after university. They can show potential employers that they are brave, adventurous and willing to take risks. With all this talk of money, it’s easy to forget the personal benefits to work abroad. Learning a new language and experiencing a new culture are both amazing experiences. You’ll create memories that will stick with you for life. Those treasures aren’t things that you should overlook.
Working abroad in the summer is so much better than the nine-to-five work you can expect at home. It’s a gamble, but it’s a worthwhile one. You’ll return much better off, on a personal level and a financial one. Go for it – it could be the decision of a lifetime.