The Best Book On Wharton Admissions

Getting international experience is an excellent way to prepare for Wharton Business School. However, when it comes to working abroad, there are a lot of things you need to consider. I’ve worked in various countries in Asia and the one thing I found important was being bilingual or multilingual. Now obviously, not everyone knows more than one language but it is possible to go to a country and learn the language while working in a position that doesn’t require intensive language skills.

Finding Work Without Knowing The Local Language

Teaching English is a great overseas job opportunity for those who don’t already have strong language skills. In Japan there is a program called JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching program) that places prospective teachers in different areas of the country where they may have a need. So some people learn Japanese themselves while teaching English and can then move on to a wider range of jobs.

If you have specific skills in trading or technology, you can find job roles in Japan that don’t require fluent Japanese. In order to get a trading position at an investment bank you have to show a huge interest in finance and also have a proven background in the area in order for them to overlook the fact that you don’t speak the language. Having good grades from a top school wouldn’t hurt either. The Japanese are big on prestige.

Advanced skills in computer science or other aspects of technology will also go a long way for applicants who don’t know Japanese looking for jobs. Besides Japan’s big electronics and engineering firms, Japanese branches of Google and Amazon are known to hire non-Japanese applicants.

Finding A Job For People Fluent In The Local Language

For those who know Japanese, there is something called the Boston Career Forum, held every fall, for bilingual applicants. Over 150 companies participate in BCF, including big investment banks, consulting firms, financial institutions, and big Japanese electronics powerhouses, giving offers to the right candidates. That would be the best place to find an opportunity for those looking to break into the scene in Japan.

Most other countries in Asia are similar to Japan in that being bilingual gives you an edge.

However, unlike Japan, China is booming in so many different sectors and a lot of those companies need foreigners to give them more expertise. So in that sense, it would be easier to get a job in China than in Japan if you do not speak the languages. While Hong Kong might be very finance heavy, cities like Shanghai and Beijing will offer more opportunities in different industries.

Singapore: Great For English Speakers

For those who don’t know any other languages beyond English, their best bet for opportunities in Asia would be Singapore. Singapore has become such a melting pot for different cultures and companies that the majority of the people there speak English to allow for some sense of uniformity. Singapore would be a great place to work on business relations as it has become a regional hub for international engagement.

Korea: The Most Difficult Asian Country For Foreigners To Find Jobs

Conversely, the most difficult place to find work without knowing the language would be Korea. Korea has the lowest ratio of accepting foreigners to locals than any other major country in Asia. This is mainly because most of the Korean people speak English so well that they already have a great supply of bilingual people. So unless you know the language and are extremely skilled at your trade, Korea will be the most difficult country in Asia to find opportunities.

Regardless of your field or interests, if you are looking for a job in another country, you have to be prepared to learn, understand and assimilate into their culture even if you might not want to learn a second language. Then and only then, will you have the right type of international experience MBA Programs are looking for.

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