Each year a considerable number of Sri Lankan students travel out of their country to study. However, due to these countries’ high cost of living, these Sri Lankan students are forced to find work. However, getting a job is a challenging thing.
Sri Lankan students are faced with several challenges when seeking a means to earn extra income. Some of these challenges include obtaining a work permit, language barrier, job market competition, absence of qualification, possible exploitation, etc.
Nevertheless, students with sufficient work experience have a greater chance of getting jobs with minimal challenges, but this usually depends on the country you are studying in.
Read this article till the end for the best countries Sri Lankan students can find work.
Top Countries for Sri Lankan Students to Find Work
The best countries for Sri Lankan students to find jobs depend on many factors, such as job availability, salary, and other benefits. However, these five countries are generally favorable to Sri Lankan students.
1. Netherlands
The Netherlands has a high cost of living, but it provides many suitable job opportunities to cover living expenses easily. Sri Lankan students can find part-time jobs as restaurant waiters, home tutors, housekeepers, cooks, substitute teachers, administrative clerks, etc.
There are also opportunities for students at tech companies and start-ups like Booking.com, Guerilla Games, Mollie, etc., who are looking to hire international students in their customer service, logistics, sales, and IT departments.
Sri Lanka students who choose to work in the tech industry in the Netherlands can also offer insight about Sri Lanka that can push the company’s product in their country, giving the company a more prominent presence outside the Netherlands. This will give the student a worthy job experience and give them a more straightforward career path.
2. United Arab Emirates
The top cities for Sri Lankan students to study are Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and while these cities have a high cost of living, they also offer students a chance to earn extra income through part-time work.
Students can find on-campus jobs as Library assistants, receptionists, teaching assistants, etc. Sri Lankan students can also work as campus ambassadors promoting the school image to people from Sri Lanka and encouraging them to join.
Advertisements for internship roles and jobs are usually available at the department of schools like the University of Dubai. On the other hand, Sri Lankan students can find off-campus part-time jobs like babysitters, cab drivers, pet sitters, retail cashiers, waiters or waitresses, etc. Most of these jobs are available on several online platforms where companies advertise regularly.
3. Norway
Norway also offers excellent opportunities for Sri Lankan students, especially those who speak Norwegian. Sri Lankan students in this country do not need to struggle to get a work permit because once you have been issued a study permit, you automatically have permission to work part-time.
Sri Lankan students can find part-time work as meat Butchers, waiters, bartenders, cleaners, teaching assistants, shop assistants, kitchen assistants, catering assistants, personal assistants, etc. These jobs can be found on the NAV job database, which is Norwegian. However, Sri Lankan students can find jobs in English by simply typing “English” in the search field.
Universities like the University of Oslo also organize career fairs and centers where students can be assisted in navigating the country’s Job market and finding part-time jobs much sooner.
4. Denmark
The cost of living in Denmark is also high, but Sri Lankan students can find part-time jobs that pay well enough for them to cover a significant part of their expenses. Most jobs available to Sri Lankan students looking to work part-time usually range from distributing papers, working at a bar, restaurant, store, a car wash station, or telemarketing where English, Sinhala, or Tamil will be required. These jobs can be found through various online platforms.
It is also recommended that you learn how to speak Danish to improve your chances of getting better jobs during and after your studies. Students are warned to only work if they have a permit, and should remember that working for more than 20 hours is illegal. If caught, they would likely be deported or face jail time.
5. Ireland
The cost of living in Ireland is very high. Thankfully a part-time job can help Sri Lankan students cover the cost of living in the country. Students can find jobs as clerks, receptionists, Fitness instructors, warehouse assistants, dog walkers, farm workers, cleaners, call center agents, tour guides, retail assistants, etc.
Sri Lankan students can also apply as English language tutors for Irish people looking to learn English. Several of these jobs can be found online. However, Sri Lankan students must have a job permit and can only work for 20 hours during school.
Sri Lankan students should also avoid doing dangerous work or jobs that can affect their academic schedule.
FAQs on How to Search for Work Abroad
What Are the Challenges Faced by Students in Finding Work Abroad?
Students working abroad face several challenges, which include obtaining a visa or work permit, job competition, language barrier, lack of recommendation, cultural shocks, loneliness, work experience requirements, health and safety concerns, etc.
But with the right approach, it is possible to overcome these challenges. Before traveling, students should inquire about what it takes to obtain a work permit. It is advisable to research the jobs available in the country and narrow it down to at least two that you can do.
Then get some work experience and a letter of recommendation from the person you worked with. Improve your language skills, avoid dangerous jobs, and join a community to help you combat loneliness and deal with cultural shock.
These are some of the best countries for Sri Lankan students to work in. However, these countries have strict guidelines that students are expected to follow before working part-time. Finding jobs that can help you boost your career and look attractive on your CV is also a good idea.
While studying abroad, we hope you can find work. Make sure also to check out our Scholarships Page for different information on scholarships and universities across the globe!
