Each year, young Canadians can choose from more than 30,000 opportunities to travel and work abroad in about 40 different countries. These opportunities are made possible through reciprocal arrangements that Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) has negotiated with host countries.

Click picture to download your guide:“Working abroad. Unraveling the maze.”

Through these programs, Canadians 18 to 35 years of age can experience world travel and enjoy the many benefits of living and working abroad, whereas about 30.000 students in the same age group can come to Canada to also gain valuable work experience or to finally take that trip of a lifetime they have always imagined.

Youth Mobility Agreements
Foreign Affairs and International Trade has formal arrangements with 19 countries. Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand,  Republic of Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.

There are three main arrangements:
Working Holiday, Young Professional/ Young Worker Opportunity, and International Co-operative Education however we recommend to check each country for more specific arrangements on the Canada123go website.
Canadians mature enough to venture abroad on their own, may apply to any of these programs, provided they fulfill the criteria for participation.
Students who need some assistance and guidance through the entire process and are willing to pay a small fee can apply for overseas working opportunities in various fields through AIESEC, IASTE, SWAP, Chantiers Jeunesse, IRE, IAEA, OQWBJ, OFQJ, l'Association Québec-France et France-Québec, IRE, IAEA/Agriventure, and Cautg-wsp,

Canadians wanting to go abroad and foreigner wishing to work in Canada can both visit www.canada123go.ca to find out more about above mentioned opportunities by the Canadian government.

Why should I participate in a work experience program?
Work experience programs look great on a resume, help you understand future career goals, introduce you to an international workplace, help you practice another language and aid in business networking.

Enhance Your Resume

The job market is incredibly competitive in any economic climate.  Job seekers often need any advantage they can find over other qualified candidates.  Completing a work experience program in a foreign country can give you a 'leg-up' on the competition.

A work experience program will introduce you to a career and help you to understand the day to day activities of a typical business.  Working knowledge of businesses and international experience are sure to look impressive on your CV.

Understand Career Goals

You might still be in school and curious about the type of industry your program is preparing you for, you could be currently working in one industry, but are curious about another, or you might be a business professional who has already chosen their field.  In any case, a work experience placement can help you to understand your career goals.

International Experience

As Globalization shrinks the world of business, international experience becomes more and more relevant to job seekers and those currently employed at a multinational business or a business that competes on an international scale.

International experience will give you understanding of the office environment, attitude and conduct of business in another country.  It will also allow you to understand the difficulties in working with people of another nationality or a different walk of life.

Understanding these concepts will open your mind to new possibilities and give you better strategies to use when faced with a difficult problem.

Practice Another Language

Completing a work experience program in a foreign country is a great way to practice a second language. Classroom learning can only go so far in order to teach you another language, eventually you must speak to native speakers.  One of the best ways to do expand your knowledge and vocabulary is at work.  Communication is key to any successful business and communicating with your coworkers will provide great language practice.

Work experience will bring your language usage outside the classroom and allow you to apply your skills in a real-world situation.  The language experience you gain during your work experience program will prepare you for conducting business in another language whether at home or abroad.

Create New Contacts

Work experience programs will also allow you to get to know individuals at your workplace and allow you to cultivate new industry contacts.  During your time at a placement there is no limit to how many coworkers you can meet.  Working closely on day to day assignments will allow you to get to know your coworkers on a personal level.  This allows you to call upon knowledgeable contacts once you have entered an industry in your home country.

Don't forget to keep in touch with coworkers after your placement has concluded.  This is made easy with the popularity of social and business networking websites as well as email and skype.

Your GoStudy Team
www.gostudy.ca