Year Abroad 2025: Work or Study Abroad?

What is a Year Abroad?

A year abroad is a transformative experience living, studying or working in a different country for an extended period, usually one academic year.

Spending a year abroad can broaden your horizons, enhance your career prospects, and create lifelong memories.

Should I Study or Work a Year Abroad?

Choosing between studying and working a year abroad depends on your goals and future aspirations. Here are some key considerations:

Year Abroad Study: Ideal if you want to deepen your academic knowledge, improve language skills, and experience cultural immersion in a structured university setting. This path is perfect for those aiming to enhance their qualifications while growing personally.
Year Abroad Work (Placement): Best for building professional experience, developing industry-specific skills, and expanding your global network. It’s a great choice for those focused on career development and gaining a competitive edge in the job market.

Think about your priorities—whether they are academic achievements or career advancements—to make the right choice for your year abroad.

Studying a Year Abroad

What Is It Like to Study a Year Abroad?

Studying a year abroad means immersing yourself in a new academic system and experiencing life in a different culture. You’ll build new friendships with people from diverse backgrounds, collaborate with international classmates, and gain unique perspectives on global issues.
It’s a chance to embrace a new language, step out of your comfort zone, and develop skills like adaptability and independence. Beyond academics, a year abroad offers personal growth and meaningful connections that create a lasting global network.

Why Choose to Study on your Year Abroad?

Gain Academic Perspective: Study diverse curricula and teaching styles at world-class institutions.
Enhance Language Skills: Immerse yourself in a new language and improve fluency through daily use.
Cultural Immersion: Experience life in a different country and broaden your global understanding.
Career Advancement: Stand out with international academic experience on your CV.
Personal Growth: Build independence, adaptability, and confidence while exploring new environments.
Global Networking: Connect with peers from around the world and create lasting relationships.
Life-Enriching Experience: Discover new traditions, cuisines, and lifestyles to enrich your life story.

How to Plan and Prepare for Studying on your Year Abroad

Planning to study abroad helps to ensure a smooth experience:

Understand University Connections: Identify which universities your home university partners with. This helps you explore destinations and secure the location you want.
Set Clear Goals: Decide what you want to achieve academically and personally.
Research Destinations: Compare programs, costs, and living conditions.
Organize Finances: Budget for tuition fees (if applicable), accommodation, and daily expenses; apply for grants such as the Erasmus+ Programme or the Turing Scheme.
Secure Housing: Choose between student dorms, shared apartments, or homestays.
Learn Local Basics: Study the language, transport systems, and cultural norms.
Prepare Documents: Ensure your passport, VISA, and insurance are in order.
Plan Arrival Details: Know how to reach your accommodation and settle in.

How to Secure for a Pre-Placement Offer

Securing a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO) requires preparation, clear communication, and a proactive approach. Here’s how to increase your chances:

Excel in Your Internship: Focus on delivering high-quality work, meeting deadlines, and showing a strong commitment to your tasks. Consistent performance helps you stand out.
Build Strong Relationships: Engage with your team and manager by asking questions, seeking feedback, and showing a willingness to learn. Positive relationships make it easier for your supervisor to advocate for you.
Demonstrate Initiative: Take on additional responsibilities and show problem-solving skills. This proactive approach signals your readiness for a full-time role.
Express Interest Early: Let your manager know you’re interested in staying with the company. Show your enthusiasm and alignment with the company’s goals.
Request a Review or Feedback: Towards the end of your internship, ask for a review meeting. Highlight your contributions and express how you’d love to continue growing with the team.
Be Direct but Professional: When the time feels right, ask if a PPO is possible. Keep it polite and professional—express appreciation for the experience and the desire to contribute long-term.

Securing a PPO is about demonstrating value, building trust, and showing that you’re the right fit for the company.

Year Abroad Placements

What Is a Year Abroad Placement?

Year abroad placement refers to opportunities for students and professionals to gain valuable experience through internships, placements, or teaching roles in a foreign country.

This unique experience combines professional growth with cultural immersion, allowing individuals to build a global network, develop key skills, and enhance their career prospects.

Whether you’re working in a startup in Europe, Asia or the US, year abroad work helps you stand out in the job market while offering the chance to explore a new culture and embrace a different way of life.

Why Choose a Year Abroad Placement?

Earn Money While Gaining Experience: Many placements are paid, allowing you to earn money to support your living expenses and gain financial independence during your year abroad.
Career Development: Gain practical experience in your field while working with international teams.
Cultural Insights: Learn how businesses operate in different parts of the world.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with global professionals and mentors.
Skill Building: Develop soft skills like communication, adaptability, and problem-solving.
Travel and Adventure: Explore new destinations during your free time.

How to Plan for a Year Abroad Placement

Identify Your Career Goals: Decide what type of experience will benefit your professional development.
Research Placements: Look for roles or industries aligned with your career aspirations.
Tailor Your Application: Create a CV and cover letter that highlight relevant skills and experience.
Understand Visa Requirements: Ensure you meet the legal criteria for working abroad and apply early.
Plan Finances: Account for travel, accommodation, and living expenses, and explore paid placement opportunities or financial aid like Turing Scheme or Erasmus+ Programme.

Popular Year Abroad Subjects for 2025

Modern Languages: Perfect for immersing yourself in a new culture while gaining fluency in French, Spanish, Mandarin, or German.
International Business: Offers practical insights into global markets and prepares students for careers in trade, marketing, and management.
Marketing: Focuses on consumer behavior, branding strategies, and digital campaigns.
International Relations: Examine diplomacy, conflict resolution, and global cooperation.
Economics: Study the global economy and its dynamics, often paired with a foreign language for added versatility.
Degrees with Embedded Placements: Gain real-world experience through programs that integrate work placements into academic study.

These subjects, offered at top universities in the UK and Ireland, combine academic depth with opportunities for real-world global insights.

Year Abroad Costs: Monthly Expenses Explained

The cost of living a year abroad depends on location and lifestyle. Here is a breakdown of common monthly expenses based on the most affordable living options:

Accommodation: €400–€1,200/month (£350–£1,050), depending on location and type (shared rooms, single rooms, private apartments).
Food: €150–€300/month (£130–£260) for groceries and dining out.
Transport: €20–€100/month (£17–£87) for public transport passes in most cities.
Miscellaneous Costs: €100–€300/month (£87–£260) for entertainment, leisure, personal expenses, and other activities.

Examples of Monthly Year Abroad Costs in Europe:

Portugal: €800–€1,200/month (£700–£1,050).
Germany: €800–€1,500/month (£700–£1,300).
France: €800–€1,800/month (£700–£1,570).
Spain: €700–€1,400/month (£610–£1,220).
Italy: €700–€1,500/month (£610–£1,300).

Examples of Monthly Year Abroad Costs Outside Europe:

USA: $1,200–$2,500/month depending on state and city.
Japan: ¥100,000–¥150,000/month (€700–€1,100).
Australia: AUD 1,200–1,800/month (€750–€1,100).
Canada: CAD 1,200–1,800/month (€800–€1,200).
India: ₹30,000–₹50,000/month (€350–€600).

Tuition Fees for Studying a Year Abroad

Tuition fees vary widely across Europe. Some countries, like Germany and Norway, offer free tuition for EU students, while others charge up to €9,000 per year. Scholarships and government funding programs can significantly reduce costs. Check your chosen program and destination for specific details

Tips to Budget for Your Year Abroad

Estimate Tuition Costs: Research program fees for your destination. These can vary widely depending on the country and type of program.
Calculate Living Expenses: Budget for housing, food, transport, and utilities. Costs depend on the city—big capitals will generally cost more than smaller towns.
Include Travel and Insurance: Account for flights, visas, and health insurance, which can add significantly to your total costs.
Seek Financial Support: Explore scholarships, grants, or financial aid options. Check if part-time work is allowed to supplement your income.
Plan for Emergencies: Save for unexpected expenses, such as medical needs or last-minute travel.
Track Your Spending: Use apps or spreadsheets to monitor expenses and stay within your budget.

A well-prepared budget ensures you can focus on enjoying your year abroad without financial stress.

How to Access Financial Support (Erasmus+ Grant and Turing Scheme)

The Erasmus+ Programme and the Turing Scheme provide invaluable financial support for students planning a year abroad.

These grants help cover essential costs such as travel, accommodation, and daily living expenses. Erasmus+ focuses on academic exchanges within Europe, while the Turing Scheme offers opportunities worldwide, including placements and internships.

For more details, visit the official Erasmus+ page or learn about the Turing Scheme on theInterna’s Turing Scheme guide.

Tips for Maximizing Your Year Abroad Experience

Stay Open-Minded: Embrace the culture and new ways of working or learning.
Network Actively: Build relationships with peers, professors, or colleagues.
Document Your Journey: Keep a journal or blog to reflect on your experiences.
Plan Side Trips: Explore nearby cities or countries during your free time.
Stay Organized: Use tools to track your progress, expenses, and plans.

Real Year Abroad Experiences from Students Who Chose theInterna

A student from University College Dublin worked the tech side of a startup in Barcelona and redesigned the workflow on the website leading to a 25% increase in total conversions to leads booking calls.
A student from Durham University interned in a business in Paris in the Sales & Business Development function. Within 6 months, they brought in >€55k of revenue for the business (>50% of the total sales of the company). This was his first job…

By interning at a partner startup of theInterna you will be sure to get real business exposure and give you the right grounds to be able to excel when there.

Thank you theinterna for the solid support you and your team have provided. Running a start up in such competitive times, your organisation has added tremendous value by helping us onboard yet an excellent candidate, Hannah. The onboarding process is smooth and thoughtfully designed to favour the companies! It’s been a win-win for all and I hope to work further with your team. I wish you guys a prosperous company lifespan.

We are very happy with TheInterna’s work. The quality of the candidates is excellent and thanks to their training we were able to accelerate the onboarding of our UK sales team. A very rewarding and frictionless experience.

theInterna has been very helpful with not only finding me a valuable internship in a Spain but also by providing a crash course into the world of start-ups that means I can provide more value to the company I’ll be working for. The course content was perfectly balanced between concepts, tools, and practical exercises. I feel ready to hit the ground running!

The Strategy, Sales and Digital Marketing course ran by theInterna has been truly amazing. Packed with content, diagrams and links to external platforms, I have learnt so many new things and it has broadened my areas of interest. I now feel much better equipped and have formed more of an idea of my career path when I graduate. theInterna also set me up with a brilliant internship in Spain, providing a flawless process from the initial call through to securing the placement, and it has been a pleasure having the agency as a point of contact. Without a doubt I would recommend theInterna.

Outstanding training and support provided by theInterna. The training comprised a variety of invaluable resources, presented clearly and concisely, with a good mixture of videos, articles and exercises to put our knowledge into practice. The calls were useful to consolidate what I’d learnt over the week and get clarity on anything I was unsure of. Not only do I feel better equipped to begin my internship, but I feel inspired to create my own startup in the near future!

the Interna is a fantastic organisation which feels so tailor made to your needs: you get a consultation call with theInterna to help you find the best option for an internship. The new Interna training course is an amazing free add on to boost business skills and add to your CV.

I personally believe that this course was so beneficial for me whilst also on my placement. Joining a Start-up can be very fast-paced sometimes, and you often have to learn on the job. Doing this course alongside my job allowed me to learn some valuable skills that I needed in future weeks! What I liked most was the flexibility of the course, there were lots of resources that you could use, but if you did not have enough time, there were summary pages that were clear and concise! It as a great and very interesting course.

Frequently Asked Questions about Traineeship Jobs

Can I Study Abroad for Free?

It’s possible in some cases. Scholarships, grants, and government-funded exchange programs can cover most or all of the costs, but availability depends on your eligibility and chosen destination.

What Are the Requirements?

Requirements differ depending on whether you plan to study or work abroad.

Studying a year abroad: you’ll typically need a strong academic record, language proficiency for the destination country (if applicable), and a valid passport. Many programs may also ask for personal statements, recommendation letters, or proof of financial readiness.
Placements or internships abroad: requirements often focus on professional skills and experience. You may need to provide an updated CV, a cover letter tailored to the role, and sometimes references from previous employers or professors. Language proficiency and visa eligibility are also crucial for securing a position.

Be sure to research specific requirements for your chosen program or placement.

Start Your Year Abroad Journey

Ready to explore the world and gain life-changing experiences? Discover programs, destinations, and opportunities tailored to your goals.

Start your journey today at theinterna.com.

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theInterna

theInterna is a platform designed to connect ambitious interns with startups, offering placement years, Erasmus opportunities, and long-term internships. theInterna shares essential tips and insights to help both interns and startups succeed.

Year Abroad 2025: Work or Study Abroad?

What is a Year Abroad?

Should I Study or Work a Year Abroad?