Spending time outside the country has become practically a prerequisite for being well received by the job market today. And it is no less! Experience is a sign that you are mature, flexible, proactive and still bring with you baggage full of unique experiences to broaden your employer’s horizon.
So how about getting that dream off the ground and figuring out how to get out of Brazil in a safe, planned and productive way? Check out the step by step that we have created and see what you should keep an eye on before embarking on this adventure!
Find the best trip for your resume
In your first search on the internet, you will realize that there is a huge amount of different types of travel for those who want to live abroad. Before getting lost in Google results, however, it is important to remember that, for your investment to be worth the maximum, the ideal is to look for the program that best complements your resume and fits your goals.
Working out
Although the legislation on working abroad has certain restrictions, it is possible to get a temporary job, which gives you experience and differentiation without having to immigrate to the destination country. It can be, for example:
- au pair or nanny, living with a family;
- volunteer in humanitarian causes;
- temporary intern, usually during the holiday period;
- waiter, receptionist and helper in small establishments.
They are more informal jobs, most of the time part-time and with a due date and reduced salary, but they can count on some benefits, such as housing and food.
Even if they are not in your area, these jobs can be advantageous especially as they allow you to practice the local language with native speakers.
Studying abroad
On the other hand, opportunities to study abroad can be more directed towards your goals. In that case, you can do:
Here, the choice will depend mainly on the time and cost of each specific program, as well as its relevance to your segment and the career you want to launch in the future.
With careful research, evaluation of pros and cons and, if possible, including the specialized guidance of your educational institution, it will certainly be easier to choose the option that is right for you!
Know when to leave Brazil
Having decided on the type of trip you would like to take, you still need to think about the best time to embark. After all, especially for those who are already working or studying, it is not easy (nor prudent, by the way) to leave everything behind suddenly, don’t you agree?
Of course, the urge to go creates a feeling of haste, but in order to ensure that the investment will pay off and avoid losses, long-term planning is essential.
For those who have just started a course or entered a new job, you can be strategic wait a little while. This way, you can better understand what the area’s demands are, find out what your own interests are and organize your trip based on that.
Furthermore, this way you can talk to the boss or the coordinator of the course in order to reconcile your activities in Brazil with the period abroad. Is it better to go alone during the holidays or spend the entire semester abroad? How is your vacancy during this period? All of this must be answered before the trip!
Run after the requirements for travel
After looking hard and thinking hard, selecting your program and the best time to live abroad, it’s time to start thinking about the checklist of requirements to make the trip happen. Check it out!
Application dossier
Whether for work or study, you will probably have to prepare a small dossier when applying for the job or the chosen course. Go back to the program’s website, make phone calls and send the necessary emails, writing down everything you will need to sign up.
To give you an idea, some of the most common requirements are:
- CV translated into the target language;
- school history, translated and original;
- letters of recommendation from your teachers or bosses;
- letter of intent, in which you explain why you want to participate in the program;
- proficiency test in the local language.
The domain of the language
It is not just because you are going to live abroad that you need to speak another language. Internships, courses and professional experience in Portuguese-speaking countries can also be valuable, depending on your area and your goals.
If the experience with a foreign language is part of your goals, however, you will need to study to get there already knowing something, even if you don’t need to prove your proficiency before boarding.
Try to organize a daily study routine and keep practicing until the date of the trip, even if it is only for half an hour a day. Getting down to your destination safely in the local language will make you much more comfortable and prepared for any challenge that arises on that journey.
Travel documentation
Finally, be sure to check in advance all the documents you need to land and live abroad, including:
- passport;
- visa;
- proof of funds to support themselves during the trip;
- international travel insurance.
Even if it is not listed as a requirement by the country’s immigration sector, these documents can be useful when going through customs and should be provided as soon as possible.
Plan to pay for the trip
Finally, sure that you have chosen the most interesting option for your career, the time has come to do the math and organize finances to take the paper journey without having to be in the red.
Write down the amount you will need in total to travel in comfort, without fear of being pinched, including:
- the value of round-trip tickets;
- the cost of the program – remembering that, even in the case of paid work, there may be a fee from the organizing agency;
- the price of accommodation and insurance;
- spending on food and transportation;
- the number of fees to obtain a passport, visa and translate documentation;
- an emergency fund, leaving a niece for you to take care of when you return to Brazil.
With the budget in hand and the desire to leave Brazil in the chest, all that remains to be done is to plan your expenses to collect the necessary amount with patience and determination!
Remember that this is an investment in your future. And be sure to check if your school or company has any agreements with foreign institutions, ok? This way, you have a lot less work to plan and you can guarantee that you will be in good hands out there!