Welcome to Part Fourteen of our Goer Essentials Series, where we've asked Goers to sound off on the essentials to thriving in life overseas. In today's article, Goers share some of the skills they've gained while serving in their 2-year placements.

Goer Essentials: Essentials to Thriving in Life Overseas

For this Goer Essentials series, we surveyed Goers who are serving two-year global placements. These articles are your chance to hear directly from Goers as they share their triumphs, best practices, amusing gaffes, and deep experiences of learning to live, thrive, and make an impact while immersed in a new culture!

Part 14: Skills for Life

Have you ever wondered if taking two years to serve overseas will put you behind in your career? Or maybe you're concerned about what skills you'll gain that will be useful for your future? The truth is, a global placement is an incredible opportunity to develop both professional and personal skills that will serve you for a lifetime.

We asked some of our Goers what skills they've learned while serving cross-culturally. Here's what they had to say:

Professional Skills that Transfer

It's easy to assume that a two-year placement is a break from your career, but our Goers will tell you it's a huge step forward in gaining valuable skills that employers will love. You'll get hands-on experience in areas you might not have had a chance to explore in a typical entry-level job.

"Working cross-culturally has transformed both personal relationship skills and work skills. Here are a few of the versatile work skills I've noticed have helped me excel and will be useful upon transition. Fundraising for self and projects, communication with consumers and donors, curriculum development, and project start-ups." -Neika, Uganda

Imagine being able to add "curriculum development" or "project start-ups" to your resume! These are real-world, highly sought-after skills that you'll gain by diving into a new context.

Personal Growth that Endures

Beyond the professional, serving overseas provides a unique environment for personal growth. The challenges you face and the relationships you build will change you in profound ways, teaching you lessons you can't learn in a classroom.

"I think that everyone should take the opportunity to live cross-culturally if you can. Not only is it an excellent opportunity to learn a second language (which will definitely be useful in the future) but it also helps you grow so much as a person. It can be so, so hard, but it also teaches you resilience, open-mindedness, and the ability to see God from different perspectives. Skills that I have learned on the field will not only be useful for future jobs, but also for personal development and relationships with other people." -Michaela, Ecuador

Living in another culture naturally forces you to grow in resilience and open-mindedness. You'll learn to see the world, and even God, from a different point of view, which will make you a more compassionate and understanding person.

"I am gaining the flexibility to adapt to things as they arise, the grace to extend when things don't go the way I think they should, the importance of relationships over tasks, and the humility that's grown through this entire process, especially when you're open to being molded by the Lord will all serve me for the rest of my life." -Emma, Ecuador

Emma's words highlight the foundational character traits that a GoCorps placement helps to develop. These are the skills that make you a better friend, a better co-worker, and a better leader for the rest of your life.

Integrating Faith and Work

One of the most powerful takeaways from a global placement is learning how to truly integrate your faith into your work, no matter the field.

"I have learned how to incorporate the Lord into every aspect of my profession. I can see that my calling is first to be a servant of the Lord, and nursing is a vessel for that calling. Missions has wiped away the idea that in the professional world you must choose either spiritual or secular, because the light of Christ is needed in any occupational setting." -Olivia, PNG

Olivia's perspective is a powerful reminder that your career and your calling aren't two separate things. Your professional skills are a tool for ministry, and every workplace is a mission field.

Conclusion

A GoCorps placement isn't a pause in your life; it's a launchpad. You'll gain a unique combination of professional, personal, and spiritual skills that will set you apart for a lifetime. Whether you're thinking about a future in international business, non-profit work, or a completely different field, the experiences you'll have and the skills you'll gain will give you an invaluable advantage.

Key Takeaways

• A GoCorps placement is an opportunity for significant professional development.
   
• You'll gain crucial life skills like resilience, flexibility, and a global perspective.
   
• Serving overseas helps you learn to integrate your faith into your professional calling.

Dive Deeper

• My Letter to Future Goers - Ruth, Central Asia
   
• My Letter to Future Goers - Maggi, Bulgaria
   
• Baseball in Italy - Aaron, Italy
   
• Tithe Your Career - Paul, GoCorps Founder