Is it realistic to balance engineering study and a part-time job as an international student?
Whether this balance is realistic depends on your course load, whether your courses include laboratories, exercises, or major assignments, the term and year of study, and your personal circumstances. Prioritize your studies, keep work hours manageable, and check whether you can plan for fewer shifts and discuss arrangements with your employer during periods with major exams or deadlines.
Key points
- Estimate time for classes as well as any laboratories, exercises, assignments, commuting, and self-study.
- Start with fewer work hours and adjust after assessing your academic workload.
- Before working, check the conditions of your status of residence and university rules.
Things to check
- How manageable the balance is varies by university, faculty, year of study, course load, language ability, and personal circumstances.
- Check current official guidance on work permission and work-hour conditions for your status of residence, and consult the university's international student office.