How I Lived And Worked In 4 Countries
How I Lived And Worked In 4 Countries
I’m not rich, and my parents never had passports until this year. I got my first passport when I was 20. Here’s how I lived and worked in 4 countries: India, Spain, China, and Vietnam.
How I Lived And Worked In 4 Countries: Study Abroad (2012)
India has a special place in my heart. I lived there from January – April 2012. I can’t explain it, but India opened my eyes. It was completely different from anything I experienced in the United States…everything was new…
The food, the traffic, the people, the music…everything.
I lived in Chennai with three other American girls. Besides the four of us, there were few “westerners” I met during my time there. I spent each day with the locals. Spending so much time with my Indian classmates gave me an intimate look at the culture…a view I might not have experienced if I did not have this opportunity.
In addition to my classes, I interned at Women in Need (WIN). WIN is a non-profit focused on helping domestic violence survivors and homeless women and children. I got this opportunity through my study abroad program.
While I was at WIN, I shadowed my supervisor who is a lawyer. I interviewed the domestic violence survivors and learned about spousal abuse in the Indian context. I tutored English and also led presentations about hygiene, alcohol abuse, and other health issues.
My study abroad program also took me and my American roommates to different cities in India. I went to the Taj Mahal, rode an elephant in Kerala, and visited the temples in southern India.
My semester in India (including the excursions) was the same price as if I would have stayed on campus. It didn’t cost me anything extra and I won a scholarship to go.
How I Lived And Worked In 4 Countries: Teaching English (2013 – 2014)
India was one of the best times of my life. It encouraged me to go to Spain.
When I graduated from college in 2013, my sole objective was to learn Spanish. So, I booked a one-way ticket to Madrid and taught English.
In the classroom, I assisted the teacher. Occasionally I made presentations about American culture.
I found this opportunity through an English teaching program in Spain.
I spent 16 hours per week in the classroom and got paid 1,000 euros a month.
For being straight out of college, and wanting to travel the world, it was a sweet gig.
While in Spain, I traveled to Portugal, Morocco (twice), the Sahara Desert, and spent a week in Italy.
How I Lived And Worked In 4 Countries: Working At An International Education Start-Up (2014)
After Spain, I worked in China. I found this job through my friend who was my classmate in college.
I worked at this small company that focused on international exchanges. My friend’s husband knew a girl that worked with the CEO.
In Chengdu, I wrote a lot for the company. I was the English-speaking point of contact. In my position, I drafted memorandums of understanding (MOU’s) between the business and universities around the world. I also created presentations for the students studying overseas.
I worked long hours while I was in China. But, I did have a chance to visit the pandas in Chengdu and the Great Wall of China.
Interning At U.S. Embassy in Vietnam (2018)
So, if you’re paying attention to my dates, you’ll notice there is a four-year gap between the time I spent in China until now.
Between that time, I was figuring out my life.
I spent time working in a study abroad office. It was amazing!
I also applied for the Rangel fellowship and got it! In 2017, I interned in the Senate as apart of my fellowship.
However, this year, I had the privilege of interning at the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam. I worked in the Public Affairs Section.
It was life-changing. I was treated like a first-tour officer. During my internship, I did a lot of presentations in the American Center, prepared for visits for senior-level officials, and created content for the embassy’s social media.
I also traveled throughout Southeast Asia. In Southeast Asia, I went to Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. I also explored northern Vietnam as well.
Summer 2018 was a transformative experience.
Well. There you have it. That’s how I was able to live and work overseas.
I wanted to share my “travel story” to encourage someone out there. I want to let you know it’s possible. If I can do it, you definitely can too. Getting to each stage wasn’t pretty, but looking back, each experience was invaluable. Each moment developed me as a person, and I learned about myself and the world.
In Case You’ve Missed It, Check Out
So, You Want To Become A USAID Contractor
5 Lessons From Co-Hosting My First Meet and Greet
How To Have A Profitable Travel Career: Part 1- Volunteer
Hey Ms. Traveler On YouTube
Hey Ms. Traveler’s FREE Travel E-Course
