Getting the Most Out of Your Experience

As a UniSA Global Opportunities student and as an Australian traveller, you have obligations that you’re required to follow.

When applying for the Global Opportunities program, you agreed to the Terms & Conditions for Participation in a UniSA Approved Overseas Mobility Program. These Terms and Conditions also touch upon your obligations as a UniSA student under the UniSA Code of Conduct for Students. In addition, while on an approved UniSA Global Opportunities program, you must abide by the standards, policies, and rules of your host country, host institution.

Remember that as a representative of UniSA, your behaviour can have a significant effect, both positive and negative, on the image of the University and its students, and in turn, the relationship between UniSA and the host or partner provider. The continuation of these overseas programs relies on the successful partnerships between UniSA and each partner institution.

If it is found that you’ve breached any of your responsibilities, UniSA has the authority to cancel your overseas program and request the return of any travel grant and/or scholarship you may have received.

You will be a representative and ambassador for UniSA both during and after your experience overseas.

For example, an important part of the success of the exchange program is the reciprocal exchange of students, so part of your job as a UniSA ambassador is to encourage more students from the host university to come to UniSA on exchange. Tell them about Adelaide and UniSA and encourage them to visit Australia and study here!

If you’re taking part in a Study Tour, or a program with a Mobility Experience Provider, you might be required to participate in events or site visits with industry partners and real-world businesses. This is a great networking opportunity, but also a great way to further the great reputation of the University. Don’t forget, as a UniSA student you also benefit from the University’s reputation and the great ambassadorial work that was done before you.

After your return home, the Global Opportunities team may ask you to participate in promotional events, information sessions or student workshops (e.g. Study Abroad fairs, pre-departure seminars etc.). We’ll ask you to share your experience, what you learned, and what you would suggest to those who are looking to have their own experience.

We’ll also ask you to complete a Returned Student Report to tell us about your time overseas and to provide future students with first-hand testimonials on where you went and what you did, so that they can be inspired to make the most of their studies and have their own overseas study experience. Your testimonial could give someone the courage to take the plunge on their own overseas study adventure!

Remember, your Global Opportunities experience is a valuable opportunity for personal and professional development, both of which can help your studies, your career, your employability, and your resilience.

Before you go overseas, have a think –

• Could you add an internship or mentorship into your experience?
• Can you join any networking events or associations in your field while overseas to build your connections?
• Are there any activities that you can do or anywhere you can go that might influence or enhance your career?
• Have you asked your professors or colleagues if they know of any opportunities?

Even without a formal professional component to your overseas program, studying overseas provides a unique opportunity to build skills that are highly desired by employers and will position you ahead of the crowd once you graduate. Your experience is about more than just travel and tourism – it can be a strategic move in your career development.

So, what are these skills that employers value? Here’ are just a few to add to your resume and interview answers after your return home:

• Initiative and independence: Just the decision to step out of your comfort zone and into a completely unfamiliar environment shows initiative. You’re someone who is prepared to try new things and stretch yourself. Every day in your new environment requires you to think laterally to find your way.
• Problem solving: That new environment overseas has a unique set of challenges that you may not have faced before, so you’ll develop a stronger ability to create your own solutions away from the normal methods you would use to solve an issue at home.
• Communication: Surrounded by different individuals and a new cultural environment, you’ll need to hone your communication skills. You’ll be listening to and observing others, clarifying information, clearly articulating your thoughts, and resolving conflict or misunderstandings.
• Cultural competency: Your host culture could be quite different to what you know at home, so be open-minded and willing to learn that things may just be different, not wrong. Withhold your judgement and practise tolerance. Your ability to understand and work with diverse groups of people is a strength that employers will appreciate.
• Teamwork: Closely linked to other key skills such as communication and cultural competency, working closely and effectively with others is fundamental to success. Some things you cannot do alone, and learning how your attributes complement those around you and vice versa will help you be a great team player.
• Self-awareness: Living in a new environment will teach you a lot about yourself. Take time to reflect on your experiences and what you can learn from them, both the wins and the challenges.  This kind of self-awareness shows that in the workplace you will have the capacity to evaluate your own performance and adjust your approach, behaviour, and attitudes accordingly.
• Networking: Your ability to establish and maintain relationships, both personally and professionally, will be stretched and strengthened. Use networking events and the professional networking platform LinkedIn to build your connections with fellow students, academic staff, and industry contacts. The people you’re studying with are the employers and leaders of the future, so stay in touch. You never know where those connections will lead.

Be intentional and deliberate in taking advantage of the opportunities that might be available throughout your Global Opportunities experience, both personally and professionally, and you might be surprised by the rewards.

Maximise your Personal Growth

• Keep a reflective journal or blog noting down your key experiences and learning, even recording specific examples of the skills and attributes you’re building. Remember, not only will you be able to see how far you’ve come, but these examples will also be useful when it comes to gaining self-confidence in your everyday life and for building your resume and informing responses during interviews.
• Set goals for yourself related to some of the skills you want to develop and to try new things. After you've done those things, don’t forget to celebrate your achievements and your challenges. This could be as small as speaking to a stranger, or as big as taking on bungee jumping.
• Take your experience a step further. If you’re learning to cook meals for yourself, challenge yourself and try cooking a local recipe then get a local to try it!
• Build connections with those you meet overseas – add them on social media, get their email or business card, start conversations and ask questions! You never know what you might learn and what those connections could lead to in the future, maybe one day you’ll work with them.

Maximise your Professional Growth

• Think about your career path and if your experience overseas could assist your professional growth in any way. What skills would you like to build? Networking skills? Practical skills? Writing skills? Knowledge of your industry and how it works in your host country?
• Visit a Career Advisor or the Drop-In Service at the UniSA Career Services if you need assistance or would like to know more about Career Planning, and how to utilise your Study Overseas experience for your career.
• Don’t just visit places related to your personal interests, also visit places, events and attractions related to your professional interests and degree. Seek out ones that could influence your perspective on your industry and career.
• Keep your broader career plan in mind and use this perspective to bring clarity in challenging times. All that you are learning and experiencing is just another step in building you as a person and preparing you for a great career.