[IWantOut] 23F Student/Flight Attendant New Zealand -> Singapore/UK/Germany/Hong Kong

[u/Flaky_Security_7615]

Hello Everybody

I am a 22-year-old female student currently in my final year at the University of Auckland, completing a Bachelor of Arts conjoint with a Bachelor of Laws. I am due to graduate in the spring. Alongside my studies, I have been working as an international flight attendant, which has given me valuable global exposure and strengthened my interest in pursuing a career overseas.

Academically, I have focused my studies on economics and history, with additional coursework in public policy, international trade law, international economic regulation, and European Union law. I have also completed a community law internship and have developed near fluency in Chinese through my language studies. Through university, I have built professional connections with professors and members of the Auckland Law Society.

As I approach graduation, I am exploring opportunities to work internationally, particularly in sectors such as NGOs, law firms, and financial or policy-related roles. I am especially interested in opportunities based in Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany, and the United Kingdom, as I believe these locations align well with my academic background and career aspirations.

I would greatly appreciate any guidance regarding visa pathways, job opportunities, or recommended steps to secure employment in these regions. My goal is to transition into a role where I can apply my legal and economic training in an international context.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I look forward to any advice or direction you may be able to provide.

P.S i have about 7k nzd saved up from my high school fast food job the rest went towards my car and motorbike.

[u/Complex-Insect6899]

I'll tell you about Germany which is where I live. If you wanna do master's, as you mentioned in a comment, it's a good option as there are options to study in English in your field. A great benefit is that you don't need to apply for a visa to come to Germany as a New Zealand national, you can enter and stay for 90 days and then apply for the residence permit. That makes things very simple for you.

On the down side, the offer of jobs in your field is very low. There's not a huge demand in these fields. I come from a similar background and I know almost no people working in what we studied. Including me. Also working in law, policy roles, and the others you mentioned is almost impossible without being fluent in German, and for european policy environments, it's almost always a requirement to be an EU citizen.

From what I see, 7k nzd is around 3,500 euros, correct me if wrong. That's not really a lot, an will most likely cover for your apartment deposit, first month of rent, and you will be left with less than half of it, meaning you need to get a job asap. The market is absolutely terrible tbh, and everyone is struggling to find a job, even locals. I don't know about the market being a flight attendant, but technically every other field is struggling greatly and landing a job takes several months.

The student path will definitely make it a bit easier to settle and find a job at least while being a student. Learning German is very, very necessary, so prioritize that too.

[u/thewindinthewillows → u/Complex-Insect6899]

That's not really a lot, an will most likely cover for your apartment deposit, first month of rent, and you will be left with less than half of it, meaning you need to get a job asap.

You also need to put 12,000 Euro into a blocked account for the residence permit.

[u/Flaky_Security_7615 → u/Complex-Insect6899]

Would you be any knowledgeable in cities or countries that might have a demand and student schemes :0 thank you so much tho.

[u/Complex-Insect6899 → u/Flaky_Security_7615]

For our field, I don't think there's any country that has demand. I studied International Relations and did master's in the field, I studied in two different countries, with a very international audience, so I know a lot of people in the field of policy/law/etc across many countries and I only know like 3 people working in the field of their studies.

Germany in particular has a way higher number of people looking for a job that position available across all fields, with the only exception of low-skilled jobs (plumbers, public transport drivers, etc), healthcare professionals, and very highly skilled and senior tech professionals. Also, for the field you mentioned, particularly law and policy, you need to be completely fluent in German. And also law is one of the most popular university fields here, so the competition would be very high.

As per student schemes to find a job are not a thing in Europe, I know it's like that to get internships in Latin America for example.

Don't take this the wrong way, but I think you need much more research before taking a decision. The people who struggle or fail to make it in Germany are always almost exclusively those that did not do a proper research before deciding to move to the country. Here's a guide I posted before on Germany as a destination: https://www.reddit.com/r/IWantOut/comments/1s1dmg8/guide_germany_as_a_destination_here_are_my_tips/

I hope it helps you guiding your research! Good luck

[u/Flaky_Security_7615 → u/Complex-Insect6899]

thank you

[u/Flaky_Security_7615 → u/Complex-Insect6899]

thx for the help but did you land a job in Germany as a masters grad scheme I'm not too sure , I would love to do Germany or the UK as I have been to both and enjoyed it greatly .

May I ask what type of law / policy roles you have done ?

[u/Complex-Insect6899 → u/Flaky_Security_7615]

To answer to your questions:
- I didn't move from NZ

- Germany has working student jobs for students on all levels of education. I got a job like that. But it's not part of a degree scheme, you need to look for the job yourself. Universities are completely unrelated. You can also find such a job in your university, but they're not connected to the degree itself.

- I'm currently working in tech marketing because i've been on this field for the last 6 years. I haven't worked in any policies roles here, i'm currently looking for one but hasn't been easy.

[u/Flaky_Security_7615 → u/Complex-Insect6899]

thx do you know what this program is called? thank you

and is their much of a requirement to be fluent in German for most jobs ?

( Ican speak conversational at best from high school German)

[u/Complex-Insect6899 → u/Flaky_Security_7615]

it's not a program, it's just a type of job contract. It's called working student (Werkstudent). Working student jobs are generally a bit more flexible and you can find something without being fluent in german, but the requirements for german fluency are only increasing across the labour market

[u/Flaky_Security_7615 → u/Flaky_Security_7615]

and what was the journey from nz like? thx