How To Get Work Study Opportunities As An International Student | Tips

Finding work-study opportunities as an international student can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can secure valuable work experience while studying abroad.

Work-study programs provide students with the chance to gain practical skills, earn extra income, and network with professionals in their field. However, as an international student, you may face unique obstacles when trying to secure a job.

In this blog post, we will explore the steps you can take to increase your chances of finding work-study opportunities as an international student. From networking with faculty members to leveraging your cultural background, we will provide you with practical tips to help you succeed in the competitive job market.

What Is Work-Study?

Work-study is a program put in place or administered by schools or the government. The program aims to employ students who cannot afford to fund their education, or who desire to gain work experience. 

In the US, federal work-study provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students with financial needs to work part-time and earn money to pay for their education. This program is school-sponsored, meaning that work-study positions are offered through colleges or universities that participate in the federal work-study program.

Work-study programs, job opportunities, application processes, and requirements vary by school. Participating colleges and universities typically partner with both on- and off-campus employers to offer eligible job opportunities.

Work-study opportunities help to ease the financial burden for students, they are also more flexible in comparison to typical part-time jobs, are typically designed with student schedules in mind, and are often incorporated as part of a student’s financial aid package.

Who Qualifies For Work-study Opportunities?

All eligible students who have proven that they need assistance to finance their education can qualify for work-study. To be eligible for work-study, you must meet the following criteria:

• Must be a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen
• Demonstrate financial need
• Are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program
• Have submitted the FAFSA (Federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Can I Get Work Study Opportunities As An International Student?

Federal work-study programs in many countries are typically for domestic students only, as they’re funded by government aid. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t options for international students to gain work experience while studying abroad. Here’s a breakdown:

• Limited federal work-study: In some cases, universities might have a small number of work-study positions funded directly by the school instead of federal funds. These might be open to international students alongside domestic students on financial aid.
• On-campus jobs: Many universities offer on-campus jobs outside of the federal work-study program. These can be a great way to earn money and gain experience while adhering to your student visa’s work-hour restrictions.
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT): This allows international students to gain practical experience related to their field of study through internships or part-time jobs. There are specific requirements and application processes for CPT, so check with your school’s international student advisor.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT): This program lets international students work off-campus after graduation or during breaks in their studies. OPT can be a valuable way to gain experience in your field and potentially improve your chances of finding full-time employment after graduation.

While some on-campus jobs can be labeled as “work-study,” most will not. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), for example, encourages all students to work during the academic year, offering jobs in on- and off-campus offices, labs, and other departments that might align with student interests. Note that your ability to work on or off campus may depend on your visa type, so review the applicable policies.

READ ALSO: How To Work Part-Time With A US Student Visa | Expert Advice

How To Find Job Opportunities As An International Student

Finding a study and work opportunity as an international student is more like a dream come true. But how easy is it to find work and study opportunities? Let’s find out.

1. Internships Available Through Your University

University career centers usually post information on internships or work placements. If you are eligible for any of them, all you need to do is apply like a regular job. These internships normally have working-hour restrictions for international students.

2. Study and Gain Experience With a Co-Op Program

A Co-Op course is one in which a university offers internships or work assignments that are integrated into the degree plan. Co-ops enable you to obtain work experience in the sector while you are a student. They typically last six to twelve months. Generally speaking, Co-Op degrees are exempt from standard working hour limitations, though this varies by country.

SEE ALSO: 12 Fully Funded MBA Scholarships in Canada 2024 | Updated

3. Choose Work Placement Courses

If you are not in a Co-Op degree program with an integrated internship, there might be other options available. Some universities offer courses that are a semester-long work placement, where you study and intern in an area related to your degree. Normally, these courses are available to students in their second year or above of study for undergraduates, and to most postgraduate programs.

What Is The Working Hours for International Students in the UK

During Your Degree

Working while studying in the UK is permissible for international students with student visas. During the academic year, students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week; however, on breaks like semester breaks, they are permitted to work full-time hours. Students are only eligible for part-time or transient employment because the basis of employment cannot be permanent. As an international student in the UK, you are not allowed to do the following:

• Be self-employed (such as a contractor or freelancer) 
• Work permanent full-time (permanent part-time is allowed) 
• Be an entertainer or sportsperson 

Internships While Studying

Even if employment is prohibited by your visa, you are still able to work full-time if your degree requires you to do a work placement or internship. This restriction does not apply to internships or work placements that are chosen on your own; rather, it only applies to those that are evaluated as mandatory components of your university degree.

RECOMMENDED: 26 Universities That Accept TOEFL In USA

After Graduation

Work routes vary depending on your degree level and study area. After receiving a bachelor’s or master’s degree, international students are permitted to remain and work full-time for two years; if they have a PhD, they may stay for up to three years on a graduate visa. Other employment options include the Start-up and Skilled Worker pathways, which you can apply for and may be approved for a maximum of five years based on your skills. The majority of these post-graduation study options, however, are not recognized for obtaining permanent residency in the UK.

Working Hours for International Students in the US

During Your Degree

The rule regarding working hours for international students in the US also depends on whether you are working on-campus or off-campus. For the first year of study, foreign students are only able to work on-campus, they can work off-campus afterward.

Students living outside the campus must tender a separate application and demonstrate financial need or other circumstances that require a student to seek off-campus employment during study. On the other hand, students can work off-campus if the job directly relates to their area of study, either as curriculum practical training or optional practical training (OPT). This needs to be approved by both a school official and the US government.

The working hours for both on-campus and off-campus employment are up to 20 hours per week during semester and full-time during semester breaks.

After Graduation

After graduation, international students may also apply for the OPT program, which allows them an extended stay in the US. The OPT is for work in a field that is directly relevant to your degree program. Nevertheless, any OPT-related work you do while enrolled in classes will be subtracted from the maximum time your post-graduation visa can be issued. For non-STEM graduates, the OPT visa may be obtained for up to a year, and for STEM graduates, for up to three years. For a postgraduate OPT visa, the maximum number of hours you can work is unlimited; nevertheless, you must work a minimum of 20 hours per week.

Working Hours for International Students in Ireland

During Your Degree

International students in Ireland can be employed for casual work for up to 20 hours during term time and up to 40 hours during the holidays. However, the ‘holiday period’ set by the Irish government is a fixed period for every international student in Ireland, regardless of your institution’s term dates. This means you can only work up to 40 hours during this period, which covers the typical semester breaks for universities in Ireland.

READ ALSO: 15 Best Books For College Students In 2024

After Graduation

You can apply for a visa in the Third Level Graduate Program, which is a 1 or 2-year visa allowing international students to work for up to 40 hours a week after graduating from an Irish University. It’s important to note that an international student can study for up to 7 years in Ireland, and the Third Level Graduate Program contributes to this time limit.

As an alternative, if you have been given a job after graduation and it is in a field that the Irish government has identified as in demand or where there is a labor skills deficit, you can apply for the General Employment Permit or Critical Skills Employment Permit. To remain in Ireland after graduation, research students can apply for the Research Hosting Agreement.

Working Hours for International Students in Canada

During Your Degree

The working hours available to international students in Canada vary depending on whether they are employed on-campus or off-campus.

For on-campus jobs, such as positions at cafes, bookshops, libraries, or tutors, there are no restrictions on the number of hours students can work. Additionally, they can also work off-campus if they choose to do so, provided their student visa permits on-campus employment.

Conversely, for off-campus employment, which includes jobs outside the university campus, international students are limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week during the semester but can work full-time during breaks. The Canadian government does not specify the exact number of hours constituting full-time work during breaks. However, students can also be self-employed as long as they maintain proper documentation to demonstrate compliance with off-campus work regulations.

Only international students with visas explicitly allowing off-campus employment are permitted to work in such positions. Those enrolled solely in general interest courses or English/French as a second language program are ineligible for off-campus work opportunities.

After Graduation

After graduation, international students in Canada are allowed to apply for a Postgraduate Working Permit (PGWP), where they can stay in Canada to work after graduation. There are no restrictions for working hours, and the length granted for a PGWP visa depends on the length of your program of study. Only programs from designated learning institutions are eligible for a PGWP, so double-check this before applying to a particular school in Canada.

Work in Canada With a Co-Op Program

Another option for international students wanting to study and work in Canada is the International Experience Canada program, where you can apply to live in Canada for up to two years. You can either do a Co-Op program or work in Canada after graduation, and you will receive an open work permit.

Working Hours for International Students in Australia

During Your Degree

International students in Australia can work up to 48 hours per fortnight, and there is no limit to work hours during official semester breaks listed by their university. To work as an international student, you must retain student status and have satisfactory progress through your enrolled course while working and studying simultaneously. There is no limit on the type of work and number of employers you can have, as long as working hour restrictions are met.

After Graduation

After completing your bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD, international students are eligible for a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). There are different streams based on your previous visa status, and what you studied at university:

• Post-Study Work Stream: 2-4 years granted to live and work in Australia after graduation 
• Graduate Work Stream: up to 24 months granted to live and work in an in-demand occupation 
• Second Post-Study Work Stream: a renewal of 1-2 years granted to students who graduated from an Australian university in a Regional Area 

FAQs On How To Get Work Study Opportunities As An International Student

Conclusion

With this detailed information on how to get work-study, I’m sure you’re off to a good start. Cheers!

References

• idp.com – A Guide for Studying and Working as an International Student
• hotcoursesabroad.com – Top 10 job seeking tips for international students

We Also Recommend

• How To Study Abroad As A Nigerian In 2024 | Requirements, Schools
• 13 Important Documents Needed To Study Abroad For Nigerians | Must Read
• How To Register For ICAN 2024 | Requirements, Set Up Guideline
• 13 Business Ideas For College Students With Little Or No Capital
• How To Apply For Student Loans In 2024 | Federal and Private