Reasons why international students find it difficult to adapt when returning home to work

When returning, international students take a long time to adapt to businesses, possibly due to high self-esteem or lack of experience in communication and practical work in Vietnam.

The Connect the Dots 2024 career fair, organized by the British Council and the UK Alumni Association in Vietnam (UKAV), on the campus of the University of Economics, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, on January 13, attracted a large number of participants. Most of them were former international students or graduates of joint programs with universities in the UK.

Participating in the recruitment, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Thanh, representative of Apac Dao - a group of businesses in the Web3 and Blockchain sector in Asia, said that the biggest advantages of international students are confidence, foreign languages and open-mindedness.

Similarly, Ms. Le Thanh Ngan, Head of Recruitment at FPT Education Organization, commented that candidates returning from abroad have good English and a neat demeanor, while many Gen Z in the country are still not confident with this skill.

The two women assessed that because they study in an international environment, international students are quick-witted and have critical thinking, always looking at problems from different perspectives to come up with appropriate solutions.

Students line up to ask for information at a bank booth. Photo: BM — Students ask for information at a bank booth. Photo: *Binh Minh*

However, when returning home to apply for a job, international students still face many difficulties in adapting.

First, according to Dang Vu Diem Anh, a bachelor of Business Finance at the University of Essex, UK, many international students are prone to reverse culture shock. Having lived abroad for many years, she also encountered a similar situation when she returned to work in Vietnam in 2017.

"In England, there is not much community culture like in Vietnam, which emphasizes personal privacy," Diem Anh shared. Realizing the difference, she adjusted and found a way to integrate. At this time, Diem Anh realized that community culture brings warmth and care between people.

Second, international students often take longer to adapt to work than domestic students. The reason is that although they are also trained in teamwork, presentation, and internship skills as students, the way businesses and organizations operate abroad is different from Vietnam. Because they are familiar with the environment, domestic graduates know how to communicate and quickly adapt to the working culture, while international students will have to learn to integrate.

Ms. Le Thu Hien, Manager of International Education Services, British Council, for example, with international cooperation jobs that require a lot of English, international students can do well. But if assigned to do administrative work or have to communicate with government agencies, they have almost no experience.

Ms. Ngan at FPT Education Organization believes that another reason why some international students have difficulty integrating is their high personal positioning, wanting to hold important positions, instead of starting from simple jobs.

"That's why not everyone who studies abroad will easily find a job," Ms. Ngan said, advising international students not to expect too much and to accept normal jobs to have time to study.

Finally, the unsatisfactory salary is also a factor that makes it difficult for international students to find jobs in Vietnam. Two employers said that the starting salary of international students depends on the company, but they usually pay a higher salary than domestic students, averaging 13-25 million VND (500-1,000 USD) a month.

Diem Anh admits that this level is very low compared to abroad. She advises international students to research the market to avoid disappointment. In the first years of working, international students should spend time contemplating and observing to know where they are and how to develop themselves.

"It's worth it. These things will bring you a lot in the future," said the former international student.

Dawn

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