International Student Funding
Are you planning to pursue your higher education in a foreign country and wondering how you will survive financially? Perhaps you are evaluating your personal development chances in a new country! Please read on.
It’s true that studying abroad comes with a range of benefits and opportunities that would be difficult to attain in a native country. Apart from exploring the world, building a network, and attaining quality education, international studies offer a competitive advantage. With such benefits, it isn’t a mystery that the number of international students has drastically increased in the 21st century in countries like the UK, and the U.S. among others.
Completing studies in a foreign country like the U.S., UK, Demark, or Australia can upgrade a CV. Moreover, many employers believe that those who attained a certain level of education in a foreign country can add value to a company. However, even though it’s almost every student’s dream to study in a foreign country, there are challenges that come with this decision. These include cultural shock, and not knowing how to write assignments, especially first-year students. Others may also find it challenging to access the best facilities like facilities healthcare, etc.
The other challenge is financial difficulty. Students often struggle with financial problems as everything in a foreign country is dependent on money. From college fees, transportation, and accommodation, to nutrition needs, there is a lot that students spend on while studying abroad.
But that’s not the entire story. There are many legal jobs through which international students can make extra money to foot their bills. These mostly part-time gigs can help students balance their personal development and academics. Among the many possible side gigs that can help students to make ends meet include;
Blogging
One of the most trending professions today is blogging. It generally refers to the creation and distribution of content online. The content can be videos, imagery, blogs, or articles. Blogging is generally a field that relies on personal skills.
Whether you’re passionate about writing, or speaking, or have a given talent, anyone can engage in blogging. You only have to identify what you are good at. Likewise, students can choose blogging as a side gig.
It can be done in one’s free time, generally after classes. You also get an opportunity to share your experiences and expertise in a given field. Above all, blogging is a reliable approach to cultivating connections in the professional field.
Therefore, create a blog, or a YouTube channel, or open up a social media platform and create fun videos that your audience will appreciate. In this way, you will be able to raise more funds for your college education and personal needs.
Tutoring
One of the best gigs that any international student can land in the first two years in a foreign country is tutoring. For decades, tutoring has been the easiest medium to earn extra money among students.
In fact, the global tutoring market is one of the fastest-growing markets since the 2020 global crisis. Tutoring is a great opportunity to share knowledge in a certain area of study. Moreover, it is highly flexible and allows students to develop better professional skills.
With tutoring as a part-time job, students also get a chance to extend their reach, especially when done online. You can teach online or offline which also increases exposure.
Tutoring has become easy in the modern world, with the fact that there are many tutoring platforms and online resources. Also, you can teach anything i.e mathematics, economics, and interpersonal skills among others.
Waitressing
It can be fun and a wonderful experience as long as you stick to professional ethics. If you love people or serving others, waitressing is a fantastic gig. It isn’t all about getting decent tips or good pay from restaurants or hotels. But, it’s flexible and can help an individual develop better interpersonal skills.
If you can work as a waiter or waitress, it can help you utilize your extra time productively. Additionally, you will be able to meet new people and develop a reliable network. All you have to do is be mindful of how you offer your services.
Also, ensure to follow approved measures to protect your health and well-being. Besides that, remember to evaluate your class schedule to ensure that you secure ample time to study and relax.
Delivery Driver
Another possible side gig is “delivery driver”. With the fact that you may love to travel or explore new locations, this is a perfect part-time job. Over the years, the need for logistics services has increased globally. Currently, delivery services contribute dimensionally to many economics.
That’s why their pay is also attractive. If you love off-premise jobs, you can consider working as a delivery driver. It offers great flexibility and you can handle it besides your classes and other duties.
If interested in this job, you ought to know that being a delivery driver comes with varying responsibilities. Some may be required to load and deliver products, inspect products, or manage delivery vehicles.
In this way, you will be able to fund your college education and live comfortably.
Social Media Management
Social media is a buzz today and not only for networking but also for business purposes. Companies now hire social media managers to manage their interactions with the target audience. Also, to market their products or promote services.
Whether you’re passionate about social media use or have tactics that can help businesses optimize their presence on social media, then you can sign up for this job. Managing social media platforms for business comes with different responsibilities.
Some social media managers may be tasked with creating content and publishing it, running social media campaigns, providing feedback, or cultivating new connections. Duties can also extend to analyzing social media engagement and trends.
Not only will you enjoy your job, but will also earn more money.
Freelancing
Freelancing is a growing field and there is ever an increasing need for freelancers. Generally, freelancing allows businesses to outsource resources which reduces workload. It also helps them tap into external creativity that may not be present within a company.
Therefore, whether you’re a web designer, content writer, or enjoy coding, you can choose to be a freelancer. Becoming a freelancer comes with a range of benefits. For example, you can build a formidable portfolio and attain new skills.
Freelancing also offers flexibility in that you can accept or reject projects depending on your availability. To properly manage your projects alongside academics, you can adopt time management tools for greater efficiency or stress management solutions. This will help you attain a balance and prevent burnout.
Dog Walking
If you love dogs or looking for a productive way of enjoying your outdoor walks, then consider dog walking. Dog walking is a fun activity that can help you fight depression and develop stronger muscles.
Besides that, it reduces the likelihood of obesity and cardiovascular diseases in pets. In fact, many dog owners would love to hire a dog walker to take their dogs outdoors. Dog walking doesn’t require any academic qualifications and yet you can earn from it.
You will also get a chance to explore the city, sunbathe, and enjoy soft drinks along the streets. All you have to do is to look for clients online or offline and start the job as per your schedule.
Conclusion
Whether you’re studying in a foreign country or a native land, you are prone to financial difficulties. In fact, whether you have a monthly student allowance or loan, there are higher chances of you experiencing money issues. In this piece, we look at some of the best side gigs that students can consider to fund their college education and attain greater comfort.
Choosing a single gig can ideally improve your life, skills, and knowledge. Besides that, it will help you improve your personality.
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