Life after Studying Overseas
What Are You Going to Do Now?
Written by Mr. Thanin Yous, New Zealand ASEAN Scholarship Awardee, former student at the University of Auckland, New Zealand
It has already been two years since I left Cambodia – and returned – to pursue my Master’s Degree in New Zealand. In the first article I wrote for I’mACE, I called my overseas studies a “life-changing and eye-opening experience”. Reflecting on the time I spent in New Zealand, I developed a new perspective on both education and life.
Studying overseas can be a life-changing and eye-opening experience but once you have gained the experience, you need to have clear goals of what you are going to do after you finish your studies. In this article, I would like to share some tips regarding what you should be prepared for before you finish your studies. Some of the tips can be applied to those who are studying at local universities as well.
But first things first, are you planning to stay in the country where you are studying or are you coming back to your home country? Based on the current situation in Cambodia, what it really needs the most is human resources who are well-educated regardless of whether they have finished degrees from local or other countries. We need well-educated people to work across different sectors in order to help the country develop. It does not matter if you come back to work in the private or public sectors or start your own business, as long as you can use the knowledge you have gained during your studies to help develop your country. In my case, I was awarded a development scholarship by the New Zealand Government to study a Master’s Degree in New Zealand, so my goal was always to return to Cambodia and to help develop the education sector.
Another thing that you need to do before you finish your studies is to find a job related to your degree. It would be more practical if you could put what you have studied into real practice by working immediately after you graduate. Some overseas students fail to look for a job before they return and end up being unemployed for a period of time. Some of my friends, for example, were unemployed for more than three months until they could find the right job after coming back. So, I recommend you start looking for a job a few months before you finish your studies. I would also recommend you to use your networks when you start looking for a job. Those people could be your boss or colleagues from your previous workplace or your friends who work in the same sector.
One important thing you need to be reminded of is that of reverse culture shock. Culture shock happens when you move to a new place or country which has a different culture from your home country. However, after you have lived in a new country over a long period of time such as one or two years, you may get used to the culture and the lifestyle of the new country. When you return to your country, you may experience reverse culture shock. For example, I love the traffic in New Zealand because everyone respects the traffic laws, especially traffic lights. The reverse culture shock that I experienced when I returned to Cambodia was the messiness of the traffic. Some people drive past the red light and drive over the speed limit even in crowded areas. Some drivers and motorists do not respect one another. They do not give way. However, it is better not to complain but be a model by becoming another good citizen who respects the traffic laws of Cambodia.
I hope some of the articles I have written will inspire the next generations to seek a scholarship to study overseas, especially in developed countries. To me, studying overseas is one way which enables you to not only change yourself, but also the future of your country.
All of my best wishes to you!
