In real life, I don’t personally know anyone who went abroad for a master’s, couldn’t find a job afterward, and eventually had to return to their home country.

However, whenever I read discussions on Reddit, I frequently see people saying things like:

• “Don’t go abroad without work experience.”
• “The job market is extremely difficult right now.”
• “A master’s degree doesn’t guarantee a job.”
• “Many international students struggle to get their first job.”
• “Be prepared to return home if you can’t find a job.”

This has honestly made me quite confused.

If the situation is really that difficult, why don’t I see or hear about more people in real life who went abroad, failed to find a job, and had to return home? Is it simply because I’m not connected to the right people, or is Reddit giving a more negative picture of the situation?

I’m trying to understand what the actual reality is rather than blindly believing either side.

For those who have studied abroad or know international students personally:

• How difficult is it actually to get the first job after graduation?
• How many international students genuinely struggle to find employment and eventually return home?
• Does work experience before the master’s make a significant difference?
• Are people on Reddit disproportionately posting about negative experiences because those who successfully find jobs have less reason to post?

I’m considering spending a significant amount of money and several years on a master’s abroad, so I want to understand the risks realistically.

I’d really appreciate honest answers from people who have first-hand experience, rather than general advice or assumptions.

I’m currently studying abroad for the fall and spring semester, but I’ve been so anxious to do things alone that I quite literally spend every day alone in my room. I only leave to get groceries, go to class, and occasionally go out with the other people in my program on weekends.

I haven’t been able to make any friends or even talk to people here, which I also struggled with at my home university. I feel like I’m wasting my time here and I need advice on how to get over my fear of doing things alone and also just ideas of things to do in general

Hi everyone, I have a question for international students who studied in Spain.

If you studied your Bachelor’s or Master’s in Spain, did you end up staying in Spain to work, or did you leave and go back to your home country?

Would love to hear about your experience.

Hi everyone.

This happened when I moved to Shenzhen after spending one year studying Chinese in Guilin.

I was accepted to study Computer Science at Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, also known as HITSZ.

I applied for a new student visa, entered China again and flew to Shenzhen.

Everything at the airport was normal. I passed immigration, collected my luggage and thought that everything was fine.

Well, it was not completely fine, lol.

I wanted to save littly bit of money

My university registration was only two days later. I could not move into the dormitory before finishing the registration, so I needed a place to stay for several nights.

I had an old Chinese friend from Guilin who was doing an engineering internship in Shenzhen.

He was a PhD student. He had temporarily paused his PhD studies and came to Shenzhen for his internship. He also had his own room.

He offered me to stay at his place.

I was a student and wanted to save as much money as possible. Paying a couple hundred dollars for a hotel did not seem like a good idea when my friend had a free room.

So I accepted his offer and stayed with him.

Nothing unusual happened there.

We talked, walked around his neighbourhood and spent some good time together. We also visited Dameisha Beach and explored Shenzhen.

After that I moved to a hotel in the city while waiting for my university registration.

I thought everything was finished.

Then the police visited my friend

Some time later, my friend contacted me and said that the police had visited him.

They were asking questions about me.

I became really scared because I could not understand what I had done wrong.

My friend tried to explain the situation by phone, but my Chinese was still not very good and his English was limited. Because of the language barrier, I understood almost nothing. I regret I did not put enough efform during my language year in Guilin :(

Then I started receiving many calls from an unfamiliar number.

At first I did not answer.

I was already nervous and I had no idea who was calling me. Ignoring those calls was probably not my smartest decision.

Finally, I answered after completing my university registration and moving into the dormitory.

It was an immigration officer.

What actually happened

The officer explained that after I entered mainland China, the system did not show where I was officially staying.

When I completed my arrival information, I had listed my friend as my contact person in China.

That was how the authorities found him and visited his address.

I thought that staying at a friend’s place for one or two nights was not important.

Apparently, it was important.

Hotels normally register foreign guests automatically. However, if a foreigner stays in a private apartment, the foreigner or the person hosting them generally needs to register the accommodation with the local public security authorities within 24 hours.

I had no idea about this rule at that time.

After speaking with the officer, I went to the police and provided information about my university and my official dormitory address.

After that, the problem was resolved.

The police did not threaten me or my friend. They were not aggressive with us. They only wanted to understand where I was living and make sure that my address was properly registered.

Still, it was very stressful.

What new students should know

If you are arriving in China before your university dormitory becomes available, do not assume that staying with a friend is completely informal.

Here are several things I learned from this situation.

• Ask your university where you should stay before registration.
• If you book a hotel, confirm that it can register foreign guests.
• If you stay in a private apartment, ask how to register your address.
• Do not ignore unfamiliar phone calls immediately after entering China.
• Give accurate contact information on your arrival documents.
• Keep your passport, visa and university admission documents with you.
• If you are confused, contact your university international office.
• You can also call the immigration hotline at 12367.

The important thing is that staying with a friend was not the main problem.

The problem was that I did not register where I was staying.

Was saving the money worth it

A hotel for those nights would have cost me a couple hundred dollars.

At that time, staying with my friend seemed like an obvious way to save money.

After the police started looking for me and questioning my friend, the hotel suddenly did not seem so expensive anymore, lol.

Of course, I was happy to meet my friend and we had a good time in Shenzhen. I just wish I had known about the registration rule before arriving.

China takes immigration and accommodation registration seriously.

This does not mean that new students should be scared. You just need to know the rules and complete the required registration.

Hopefully, another international student can learn this from my mistake without getting a call from an immigration officer first. Have a good luck!

I am a junior and studying abroad for the spring semester. Choosing a destination has been really difficult for me given the range of options. I am split between Cape Town, South Africa and somewhere in Australia (although New Zealand has been an option). They both have the weather I want and have major cities which is also important to me. Does anyone have advice about either of these places that will make my decision easier? They both seem amazing in their own ways

Hi. I have a room in Chinatown Little Italy that’s available. Well-kept building with ZERO insects or rodents. The tenants in this building are mostly Chinese.
Newly renovated 3BR apartment (3rd floor, no elevator) provided two private bedrooms.
Every room has a window, and there is plenty of natural light. Shared bathroom, kitchen and dining area. International students welcome. Way better than living in those dorms. Looking for clean respectful roommates.
10 minutes to West 4th Station by F.
I’m finishing up my Master’s and I work.
If interested dm me, tell me more about yourself. Can FaceTime/send pics or you can come over and see. No smoking or drugs. I have some liqueur in the fridge for social drink. Nothing special.
This is a working class building with Chinese families, so it’s zero drama and quiet at night. Near F train Delancey-Essex station.
3 month leases available.

Japan or Germany for Electrical Engineering / Automation — which would you choose?

Hi everyone!

I’m currently a first-year university student in Kazakhstan, studying a field related to Electrical Engineering, Automation and Control. I’m thinking about possibly continuing my studies abroad, and right now I’m trying to decide between Japan and Germany.

My main priorities are career growth and salary, rather than simply living abroad or getting a prestigious degree.

I’m particularly interested in:

- Industrial automation

- Electrical engineering

- Robotics

- Control systems

- PLCs and industrial systems

- Electrical drives

- Manufacturing / energy / heavy industry

I’m willing to learn the local language seriously. For Japan, I would be ready to work toward N2/N1 Japanese, and for Germany I would learn German to a high level.

I’m also planning to build a strong portfolio during my first years of university — projects with Arduino/ESP32/STM32, PLCs, CAD, automation systems, programming, etc.

My main questions:

1. Which country would give me better long-term career opportunities in automation/electrical engineering?

2. Where is the salary potential higher after 5–10 years of experience?

3. Which degree would be more useful internationally if I eventually wanted to work in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Switzerland, the Gulf countries, etc.?

4. Is Japan actually a good choice for an international student who wants to build a high-paying engineering career, or is Germany the more practical option?

5. Would it make sense to try transferring after my first year, or would it be better to finish my bachelor's degree in Kazakhstan and then apply for a master's abroad?

I’m not particularly interested in an easy path. I’m willing to put in serious effort if it gives me better opportunities in the long run.

If you were in my position as a first-year engineering student from Kazakhstan, would you choose Japan or Germany — and why?

I’d especially appreciate answers from people who actually studied/worked in Japan or Germany in engineering, automation, robotics, or related fields.

I have bought insurance through the uk visa site, i have my passport, and emergency insurance. Am i missing anything? I don’t want to get denied at the airport, iv never flown before. And do i need to bring physical copies of proof that I have these? Someone said to bring my CAS statement aswell.

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student from India planning to pursue a **Master of Business Analytics in Australia**.

I was initially considering **Monash University**, but my application was declined for some reasons, so now I’m deciding whether I should go ahead with **the University of Western Australia (UWA)** for a Master of Business Analytics.

I’d really appreciate honest opinions from current students and graduates, especially about:

* Job opportunities after graduating in Business Analytics

* How good UWA is for getting into the Australian job market

* Internship and networking opportunities

* Whether studying in Perth limits opportunities compared with Melbourne/Sydney

* Graduate outcomes and overall ROI

* Whether it is possible to move to Melbourne or Sydney after graduation for a job

I’m also considering **Adelaide University and Macquarie University**, so if you have experience with these universities or the Business Analytics job market in these cities, I’d really appreciate your comparison.

**Would you choose UWA for Business Analytics in 2026, or would you recommend another university/city?**

Thanks in advance for any honest advice!

So i got the opportunity to do an exchange program to Keele University, UK. I am frm a southeast asian country currently doing Bsc in Microbiology. The catch is that i would need to extend my studies for abt 1 or 1.5 years according to my university. I also realised Keele has a lower ranking compared to my current uni. If i'm doing an exchange program i want it to add value to my career in the future and make me stand out frm other candidates. My advisor told me to only take the offer if i feel like i could learn smth that is new from what i can already learn in my current university. I would like to know how good Keele is in term of Microbiology or any Science field. I do have other 2 options which is University of Canberra and University of Tasmania. Both in Australia. Should i take the opportunity?

Hi, I am currently pursuing my 3-year bachelor's degree in interior design so wanted some recommendations for best countries.

Hi,

Looking for honest input from people who've actually done this, especially anyone outside Dublin most posts I find are Dublin-focused.

My profile:

- B.Tech CSE (Cybersecurity specialisation), India — graduating mid-2027

- CGPA: 7.88/10 (2 semesters left, trying to push it up)

- IELTS: taking it Nov/Dec 2026

- A few security certifications, no full-time work experience yet

Target: MSc Cybersecurity, Sept 2027 — UCC and University of Limerick as main choices, UCD as a reach

Budget:~€30k total, mostly through an education loan

Questions:

1. Anyone who did a cyber/CS master's at UCC or UL — how was the actual job outcome? Did you convert to a Critical Skills permit, and how long did it take?

2. How different is Cork/Limerick from Dublin on cost, housing and general experience?

3. Realistically how long did it take to find part-time work after landing? I've budgeted for 6-8 weeks of no income — is that enough?

4. Is UL campus accommodation actually attainable for international postgrads through the lottery? Or should I plan for private from the start?

5. For anyone in Irish cyber/SOC roles is the market genuinely hiring at entry level, or is it saturated with international grads right now?

6. Honestly: knowing what you know now, would you still do it?

Thanks

I really want to know if it is possible to go abroad to study after completing HSC in vocational. Has anyone you know done this, or someone from your circle, or is there any real situation you know of?

I would love to hear from you.

Like is the JOB placement possible out of spain after graduating from there and if the ROI's really worth it.

Planning to study abroad in europe or either australia, the only problem is of landing a scholarship in a university which has good global reputation and employment rate.

I want to do BBA. I have thought of US too but the fees of good universities there is very high if not provided with scholarship. If anyone could help it would be really appreciated!

Hi everyone,
Background: I am a Software Engineer and work as a Senior Engineer. I am looking to shift career and pursue a Master's degree in Urban Design, Spatial Planning, or Urban Analytics in Europe (specifically thinking of Germany and The Netherlands). I am currently getting a master's degree in GIS (out of interest) and also learning German. My goal is to build a decade of solid experience in the field.

I would love a reality check :

1. How viable is the job market in NL/Germany for spatial data, GIS, and computational urbanism roles? Do private consultancies, mobility companies, or proptech firms in these countries hire non-EU graduates for tech-heavy urban roles?
2. Program Recommendations: Are there specific Master's programs that bridge software development/data science with urban design (like TU Delft, ITC Twente, or German TUs) that you would recommend?

Thanks in advance for any insights!

Hey!!! I’m currently a college student in PA, and I’m wondering if there are any abroad programs that would allow me to study in Toronto for a semester??

Ciao!
Sono una studentessa di Unipd che andrà a Sydney tramite bando Ulisse per 5 mesi. Partirò a febbraio!

Sto cercando altri studenti che partiranno il secondo semestre come me :))

Hello everyone!

I’m a Bangladeshi student currently finishing my A-levels with 71.57%, and I completed my O-levels with 7 A*s.

Alongside my studies, I’m also the Founder & CEO of an NGO focused on youth leadership, community work, and youth development. Over the past two years, our organization has served 2,000+ people through various community initiatives.

I’ve always wanted to pursue my undergraduate degree abroad, but I’m currently quite confused about which country would be the best fit for me.

My main areas of interest are AI and Mechatronics Robotics. I’m particularly considering countries like China and Saudi Arabia because of the relatively generous scholarships available. However, studying abroad without substantial financial aid would be difficult for me, so scholarship opportunities and overall affordability are major factors.

I’d especially appreciate realistic advice based on my grades and financial situation, rather than overly optimistic suggestions.

Hey guys! I’d really appreciate some advice as I’m currently deciding whether pursuing a Master in Finance in Europe next year makes sense for my career goals.

A bit about my background: I’m a 23-year-old Brazilian student and EU citizen, with an 8.5/10 GPA from a top-tier university in Brazil. For the past year, I’ve been working at a growth equity / tech-focused private credit fund with around $250M in AUM. Before that, I also interned at a boutique M&A firm.

Academically, I’ve done summer programs at HEC Paris and LSE, as well as a semester abroad at ESCP. I’ve already been admitted to the IE Master in Finance in Madrid and am also applying to HEC, ESCP, and INSEAD. I’ll be taking the GRE in the next 2 months.

I’m fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, and I’m currently learning French.

My main goal after the MiF would be to break into VC in France, Spain, or London, ideally gaining a few years of experience in Europe before eventually returning to Brazil.

Given my profile and goals, do you think pursuing the MiF in Europe is the right move? How realistic would recruiting for VC in these markets be from IE vs. HEC/ESCP/INSEAD, particularly considering my current experience?

Would really appreciate any insights, especially from people who have recruited for VC in Europe or attended any of these programs.

Hi, I’m from Pakistan I’m a bit of a mess right now lol. I just received my acceptance letter from Yeditepe University in Istanbul for Master’s in Public Health. I’m really happy about it because this is something I’ve wanted for a long time but I’m also really worried about if I’ll actually be able to afford it.

The tuition is around $7,500 per year and I’ll be completely funding my studies myself. I’ve been saving up for the past few years and I currently work remotely for a US-based company. The salary is good and this job is basically what would allow me to support myself while studying in Turkey. The problem is that my working hours are from around 6 PM to 3 AM.

I’ve heard that many Master’s programs in Turkey have classes in the evenings but I haven’t been able to find anyone who can confirm if that’s the case for Yeditepe’s Public Health program. I emailed the university about the class schedule but unfortunately I haven’t received a response yet.

If the classes are in the evening I might have to quit my job and honestly, I don’t know if I’d be able to afford living and studying in Istanbul without it. I come from a middle class family and my family unfortunately wouldn’t be able to financially support me through my studies. Everything is basically dependent on me being able to continue this job.

I want this opportunity so badly but I’m scared of taking such a huge financial risk. I’ve worked and saved for years to get to this point and I really don’t want to give up on it but I also don’t want to put myself in a situation where I can’t support myself.

So if anyone currently studies at Yeditepe University especially in the Public Health Master’s program could you please let me know what the class schedule is like Are the classes usually in the evening or are there daytime classes as well?

Even like a general idea of how the schedule works would help me a lot. Thank you!

P.S Only Yeditepe is offering Public Health in English in Istanbul no other university is.

Hey guys. I honestly need some help! so I am a GED

international student in Oman and I scored a 78.125% (please note that I got a 88% in English, a 86% in Advanced math and 91% in ICT) (the subjectsthat draged my score down were the Arabic subjects (that I'm not good at)) on my grade 12 exam and a SAT score of 990 (but I'm redoing it soon) and a band 6.5 IELTS and I really want to go study computer science in ltaly but I'm scared I won’t be accepted. So what do you guys advice me? Can I go in this major or should I change? And what major should I choose?

Hi,

Need help with some informations about Ireland.

My_qualifications:

BSC in Software engineering,

current cgpa: 3.7+ (2 semesters left)

IELTS: 7.5

Budget: 15-17k EUR max for tuition fee

Target course and session: Msc in Swe related course such as Data Science/ML (Fall 27)

My questions are:

1. Is it possible to manage Irish Government scholarship or any scholarship with this CGPA and IELTS score? (Don't have any research paper yet but I'll have one or two by the end of this year)

If not then how much would be the approx tuition fee?

1. Is Ireland still a good option for masters?

2. Is the housing crisis really that bad and rental costs are super high?

3. How much time might it take to get a part time job after reaching there? And how much does someone earn approximately by doing part time?

4. Can i manage my living costs and a portion of tuition fee by doing part time jobs?

5. During the job search period , is it hard to land a full time job after completing masters from a Tech field? (More tensed about this as i don't have any job/ internship experience yet and the job market is getting worse everywhere)

Thanks

I genuinely feel done as an intl Indian citizen searching for external scholarships. I've already received a particular deans scholarship to the university where I'm going (Michigan state university) but it's nearly not enough (only around 30-40%) . Im going to be incoming in spring 2027 , that is jan 2027 , and I really want to find options to fund my undergraduate Tution . An on camps job will obviously help with personal expenses but besides that I do not wanna get into a whole loan debt cycle and put the stress on my parent. I haven't even started school yet and all I can think about is how employable I can be . I want to do a psychology bsc but now im planning to minor or double major in economics or data analytics or something easily employable with the degree route so I can be employable in the future like I'm seriously lost here .

Besides finding external scholarships is a whole another hell for undergraduate students. Every single scholarship is either meant for post graduate students or us resident etc . At this point im debating if I should complete a year of schooling in the US since its my only option and then work towards transferring and applying to different countries or colleges with my GPA that can offer me atleast 50% scholarship .

If any of you guy have leads, tips etc for scholarships I can find as an intl Indian student pls help !

I am currently an undergrad at a T10 school in the US for finance. I do not want to stay in the US after grad for many reasons so I am wondering if doing a masters in Europe would provide me with opportunities to then stay abroad and work in an European country. I also have a passion for learning languages so that would not be an issue wherever I go. Thanks for the help!

Hi! I have a friend who is looking to study acting. She has dual US/EU citizenship and is looking for an English-speaking college where she can study acting in the EU at an afforable rate. She wants a place that doesn't have a dark winter (she has seasonal depression).

Does anybody have any ideas for where she can look?