UK student Zain Ali spent three weeks in India as part of a UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) programme. He explains why experiencing the country's culture, people and economy can help you get ahead in your career.
International experience can increase your employability
Working on your CV can be stressful. It can mean long hours choosing templates or roaming through your local town looking for work experience. But there's another way to stand out from the crowd that would impress virtually any employer. It means looking beyond London’s skyscrapers for work experience, even if that’s where you want to end up one day.
In today's competitive job market, international experience is highly desirable on a CV. As highlighted in a QS world university rankings report, six out of ten employers give extra credit for international student experience. Oliver Watson, UK managing director of recruitment business Michael Page says: 'Companies are operating over so many international boundaries, so the more languages and experience with different cultures you can bring to a company, the more you can help expand its global reach.'
Why make India your next destination
India is a country of soul, magic and chaos. It is a place that prides itself on ‘unity within diversity'. Visitors who get to explore its vast culture will discover one of the most beautiful and historic countries in the world, from the cold peaks of the Himalayas in the north to the glorious sunsets and fresh-fried fish stalls of the south. It is home to a fascinating array of people, cultures and landscapes and a colourful modern city life.
But it's India’s growing importance as a global player of the future that makes it a country to be aware of for our careers. As such, a real experience of India should be more than that of the tourist or traveller. It means making lasting connections with those we meet and getting an insight into what makes this country one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.