5 college degrees that will help you become an expat

You want an adventure, but working in a foreign land is an entirely different story! Sure, the prospect of working abroad can sound exciting, but only if you’re properly prepared for it. You won’t want to waltz into a foreign country with nothing more than a passport and a smile in hand.

Specifically, if you want to give yourself the best chance of becoming an expat, it pays to study courses that have high job demands where you’re hoping to move. That way, when you get there with your bags packed and ready for an adventure, you’ll have something else stashed up your sleeve—like qualifications!

Check out these five degrees that will give you the skills and knowledge you need to work and live abroad. 

Nursing

The current pandemic has caused a shortage of nurses in many healthcare facilities around the world. Reports estimate that over 13 million nurses are needed to fill the gaps in healthcare globally, and with 1.1 million retiring from their posts in the US alone by 2022.

This means that aspiring nurse practitioners are finding themselves with an open job market ahead of them because there is such a high demand for experienced nurses during this time.

On the bright side, young nursing hopefuls will likely be able to take advantage of all sorts of new training and educational initiatives by hospitals that need more staff than ever before.

So hit the books folks, because if you really want the next big job everyone will be talking about it looks like nursing is it!

With a nursing degree and amazing people skills, you can work abroad in hospitals, clinics, or even cruise ships and resorts.

But to do this, you need to have the right skills. That’s why getting a nursing degree is the first step to achieving your working abroad dreams.

If you want to make yourself even more attractive to potential employers, there’s no doubt that learning another language is a great way to go. Not only will it help you stand out from the competition but could add something new and unique to your CV.

The only thing you need to think about is which language. Let’s be honest, some languages are always going to be more ‘in demand’ than others and so choosing Spanish, French or Chinese isn’t necessarily easy (not to mention all the other tempting options out there).

Whichever you choose though, there’s no denying that fluency in two languages is a major plus point for job seekers!

You might be interested in: Work visa Australia: 6 highest in-demand jobs

Computer Science

Computer Science majors – the original cool kids on the tech block. With their uncanny ability to solve complex algorithms and suss out tricky code, computer science majors have become a staple of the modern workforce, with employers all over the world clamouring for them to come aboard.

To many, this comes as no surprise; after all, the world is becoming ever more connected by technology, making the need for knowledgeable computer wizards that much greater.

So if you’re thinking of jumping into the fray and majoring in computer science – why not go for it? With all these attractive job opportunities just waiting to be filled, perhaps you can be the newest wizard on the block and set yourself up for a successful career on top of it!

But don’t forget that you speaking the language of the country you’re heading to is a real advantage.

Just bear in mind that if you’re looking for employers who are likely to offer sponsorship then you’ll need to be an exceptionally high calibre programmer with experience at companies such as FAANG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google) or ones similar.

English

It’s no surprise that English is one of the most widely spoken languages around the world – with an estimated 1.5 billion people speaking it natively or as a second language, we can hardly keep up! That massive number translates to plenty of job opportunities for those looking to work as an English teacher abroad.

With qualifications from TEFL to TESOL, there are loads of English teaching jobs out there – so why not spread your wings and have some fun while getting paid?

Believe it or not, if you don’t have a degree in English, you might still be able to teach the language to others. Because of today’s high demand for English instructors worldwide, you can use qualifications similar to a degree – related to English such as teaching certificates, Journalism diplomas or even Literature degrees.

Alternatively, you can use relevant teaching experience, volunteering/interning in an English-speaking setting, and any other related certifications—to get that dream job abroad.

Just bear in mind that when searching for employment with International or English as Second Language (ESL schools), you may have the chance to rake in bigger paychecks – that is if you have qualified experience or degrees.

You might be interested in: JET Program: Everything you need to know about the program

Academic research

If you’re looking to take your career global and have been dreaming of traveling the world, then why not look into academic research?

While it’s certainly not for the faint of heart (let’s be honest – having a PhD isn’t exactly easy!), there are plenty of advantages if you’re up for the challenge. Not only are there often minimal language barriers thanks to English being the ‘lingua franca’ among most major universities, but it also allows specialized opportunities even if your broader subject area doesn’t usually lend itself to overseas movement.

So finally get that higher education you’ve been procrastinating on and who knows, maybe you’ll end up jet-setting around the globe in no time!

Business Analytics

In the world of business, data is like the holy grail. You can use the collected information to make sense of the trends and developments, analyse investments and performances, or even see who your big-spending customers are. With data, businesses have an incredible opportunity to understand their own success, discover new markets and generate greater returns.

That’s why many international employers are now looking for individuals with this degree who can help them make sense of the data they have available, with positions ranging from Chief Data Officers to Sales Analysts and more.

You could become a data scientist, crunching numbers and analysing trends to make informed business decisions; or maybe you’ll be cast in the role of a Business Intelligence analyst, responsible for determining customer preferences and how they interact with the company.

So if you’ve ever dreamed of sunning yourself on exotic beaches while still working in a business-savvy role, earning that Business Analytics degree might be your ticket to your dream destination!

Remember that the effort you put into learning the language of your destination will pay off

Learning the language of the country you plan to venture off to is a crucial component of any study abroad adventure. It will open doors that you didn’t even know existed. Not only can it land you a job overseas, but also nab you those local deals (ever heard of haggling?) that only pros know how to get their hands on.

The funny thing is, most of your friends will think you’re merely brushing up on some foreign words when they hear you speaking in a different tongue – little do they know that it can also facilitate travel and job opportunities!

So please remember: if learning another language doesn’t sound appealing to you at first, think of all the additional experiences this skill can bring into your life!

Before you go…

Thinking of studying abroad? It’s an exciting prospect – a new culture, new friends and experiences. But don’t forget the most important thing: moving your hard-earned money in a way that is fast, safe and affordable.

If you think your plans for the future involve a lot of passport stamps, then Instarem is the perfect partner in crime.

Instarem helps you send money abroad to over 50 countries. If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to send money to your family or friends or even for business transactions, Instarem is the perfect solution.

When it comes to overseas money transfers, exchange rate volatility is not the only loss-inducing factor. Such transactions can involve hidden costs and telegraphic transfer (TT) fees which can increase the burden on the sender.

That’s why you should consider using Instarem to facilitate low fees, competitive FX rates and fast money transfers.

With our simple platform, you can make a transfer in just a few clicks. Plus, we offer competitive rates and low fees so you can get the most out of your money.

Download the app, sign up on the web, or create a business account and see how easy it is to send money with Instarem.