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Go Abroad Again

You studied abroad and now you (understandably) want to find a way to go abroad again. 

You can certainly participate in another abroad program while at Cal Poly. But there are many ways in which you can return abroad after graduation, whether as an English language teacher, as a volunteer through an organization like the Peace Corps, or even through an international work placement.
Go Abroad After Graduation ico
Finding the right opportunity for you takes time and research—so the sooner you begin thinking about the process, the better positioned you will be.The links below provide some information that may assist you, and be sure to download out Go Abroad After Graduation handout. 

Please note that other than our approved study abroad offerings, we do not endorse any particular programs.  It is your responsibility to carefully research and review any post-graduation program before participating in it.
CAL POLY STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS

Use our search page to sort through our hundreds of options, or if there is a particular type of program that interests you, visit our or Program Types pages:

RESEARCH/INTERN ABROAD
Many of Cal Poly’s Partners offer credit-bearing internship and research opportunities as part of a semester or summer abroad program, but there are other organizations that can help you locate non-credit bearing internship/research opportunities, both before and after graduation.  TEACH ABROAD
English-language teachers are in demand worldwide, and taking a position as an English-language teacher is a way for recent US college graduates to find paid employment overseas. Teaching abroad is also an excellent opportunity for your own continued education and growth. By doing it, you'll:
  • gain valuable work experience
  • be part of a multicultural workforce and create a broad international network of colleagues and friends
  • improve your own foreign-language skills
  • learn a great deal more about your own and your host culture
  • become more adaptable, flexible, and confident 
You don't need to be an education major to find work teaching English abroad. However, acquiring some experience—as a teacher, a tutor, a mentor—will prepare you for your role as a teacher and make you a stronger candidate.  Learn more about how to gain experience and find programs on teaching abroad below.

VOLUNTEER ABROAD
Volunteering abroad allows you to put your Cal Poly education into practice and gain valuable work experience and utilize while immersing yourself in another culture.  As with Teaching Abroad, there are many ways in which you can find volunteer opportunities. You can volunteer with a local not-for-profit or religious group, can apply to a U.S.-government based program like the Peace Corps, or work though an organization that can help you find a volunteer placement abroad.  Before you decide on a project, though, be sure to do your research! See our tips on  volunteering abroad and explore some options below.
 
WORK ABROAD
Employers value international experience. For many, it's a hiring priority (Go Overseas, 2022), and others indicate they are willing to offer higher salaries to candidates with international experience (Hostelworld, 2018). Put your degree and skills to work by joining the global workforce!  We offer additional resources on working abroad below, and be sure to read about how to market your abroad experiences when applying for jobs, whether in the U.S. or abroad.

TEACHING ABROAD

Is teaching abroad right for you?

Before applying, do some research. Here are a few sites that can offer you information on what teaching abroad entails, how to evaluate options, and how to find possible positions.
 

How to Gain Experience

Take Advantage of On-Campus Opportunities. Become a tutor in your discipline; work in the Writing Center; volunteer to be an International Welcome Ambassador; join a student organization that mentors or tutors students in local schools.

Volunteer in the Community.  You can do this through a Cal Poly student organization or find a local organization in SLO on your own, but you can also think volunteer in your home community over the summer and during breaks.

TEFL/TESL/TESOL Training.  Being a native speaker is a desirable trait if you want to be a language teacher abroad, but it’s not enough to make you a good teacher.  TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language), and TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) courses provide valuable training, including reviews of English grammar, practice creating lesson plans, information on cross-cultural communication styles, and general teaching tips, all of which can make you a more qualified and desirable candidate.  Courses vary in length and depth of training, so do some research and think carefully about the type of training you want or need.  You might look at actual job postings to see what qualifications are required for the country, type of school, or length of contract you are looking for.

How to Find a Position

There are numerous ways to find a position teaching English abroad. Below are some ideas, and you should also talk with Career Services here at Cal Poly. Please note that the International Center does not endorse any particular program. It is your responsibility to carefully research and review any program before participating in it.

PLACEMENT PROGRAMS
There are many organizations that, for a fee, will help connect you with a paid or unpaid position teaching English abroad. CIEE, one of Cal Poly’s Partner Program providers, for example, has a post-graduation Teach Abroad program.  Some providers include TEFL/TESL training or will provide in-country support, including an orientation and help finding housing.  Here are a few placement programs, but there are many others.

GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED PROGRAMS
The governments of some countries have established programs to bring English-speakers into local schools.  Positions are paid and some may not require previous experience (but may still be more competitive than other options).   

OTHER PROGRAMS

PRIVATE SCHOOLS
You can forego using a placement provider or applying to a government-sponsored program, and instead research available positions at private schools abroad.  You will need to contact the English school directly and negotiate the terms of your contract.

VOLUNTEERING ABROAD

Tips on Volunteering Abroad

Finding your own placement through a local organization offers you a chance to work with people you already know and with whom you feel comfortable but can also be difficult and can require a lot more leg work on your part. Using a placement organization will provide you with a wide range of possibilities but will require that you pay some sort of fee to offset the cost of the services the organization provides. 

As you are considering programs, keep the following things in mind.

  • Duration: How much time are you willing to devote to the project? Programs can range anywhere from 2-4 weeks up to 2 years.
  • Location: What region or country are you interested in? Would you like to volunteer in a developing nation or industrialized nation? In an urban city or rural village?
  • Skills: What skills or strengths do you have and do they apply to the type of project are you hoping to work on? Think about the type of work you hope to contribute and asks yourself what skills may be necessary to make sure there is a good fit.
  • Language: Depending on the nature and location of your volunteer project, having some proficiency in the local language may be necessary.
  • Cost: Many volunteer-based organizations operate on very limited funds and resources,  and so their volunteers need to financially support themselves. Other programs may charge a fee to offset the costs of basic expenses (e.g., housing, food, local transportation) and sometimes to support the local on-site project director. Be sure to understand exactly what is included in the program fee. If there is no program fee, it may mean that you are responsible for your housing and meals independently.

A few Web-based resources you might look at as you think about your options are:

Volunteer Programs

Please note that the International Center does not endorse any particular program and it is your responsibility to carefully research and review any program before participating in it.

  • BUNAC (British Universities North American Club) – Programs in Australia, Britain, Ireland, New Zealand
  • Child and Family Health International (CFHI) – A non-profit that embeds health science students (undergraduate and beyond) in existing health systems and social services sectors for 2-16 weeks.
  • EarthWatch – Programs in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America
  • Habitat for Humanity, Global Village Program
  • Idealist.org – A not-for-profit online organization that offers a searchable database of volunteer opportunities.
  • IVHQ – Searchable database of programs
  • Peace Corps – 139 host countries worldwide.
  • United Nations Volunteers
  • WorldTeach – Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Pacific Islands

WORKING ABROAD

Put your degree and skills to work by joining the global workforce. 

Working abroad allows you to learn more about your chosen field, develop new work skills, and see how culture influences the workplace. At the same time, you’ll enhance your language and intercultural communication abilities, be a part of a multicultural workforce, and will form an international network of colleagues. 

Below are links to some programs that can help you find overseas work placements and links to some websites that offer advice to US citizens working abroad. Please note that we do not endorse the programs listed below: rather, we offer them simply as a place where you can begin your research.

Cal Poly Career Services

Your first step should be working with Career Services here at Cal Poly. They can point you to various job search resources, help you refine your resume and adapt it to different cultural standards, and offer interview advice. 

Among the online resources available through Career Services is GoinGlobal, which contains extensive and up-to-date content on international career topics such as country-specific job search sources, work permit/visa regulations, international resume examples, cultural interviewing advice, and much more.

Work Abroad Resources and Programs

  • BUNAC (British Universities North American Club) – Work programs in Australia, Britain, Ireland, and New Zealand
  • Cultural Vistas – A not-for-profit organization specializing in international exchange opportunities
  • GoAbroad.com – Searchable database of work abroad programs
  • GoOverseas.com – Searchable database of work abroad programs
  • GreenheartTravel – Programs in Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand
  • Idealist.com – Advice on finding a job abroad
  • InterExchange – Opportunities available include Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, India, Latin America, New Zealand
  • TransitionsAbroad.com – Articles on how to prepare to work abroad, resume and interview tips, and evaluating job offers
  • USIT – Current openings include Australia, Canada, and New Zealand
  • WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) – Program linking volunteers with farmers; in return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation, and the opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles
See also our Marketing Your Experience page.

US Citizens Working Abroad