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[Lifer]

I have been very interested in going abroad to work for a year or two in Student Affairs, preferably Residence Life or Student Activities, but have found it very difficult to acquire much information about any non-faculty positions. Has anybody within this forum worked abroad in Student Affairs? Or have any insights that would help in this pursuit? So far I have found that the field seems to be much more developed in the US, but I would really like to continue the work I love while experiencing immersion in a new culture. Thanks for any ideas!

[jeremy]

if you are interested in doing this, I suggest you look into the fullbright program for administrators, government officials, and such.  if you made it into the program, you would have 6mo-year in a country and you might be able to create a network that eventually gets you an offer.

[Dale]

As stated in the original post, I believe that residence life positions are quite different than in the US.  When I searched in the UK, the residence/housing people were only involved in finding housing for students, not really running facilities.

[Anon 2]

They do have dormitary style housing at most universities in the UK, but they tend to fill up very quickly and it appears that most students live in groups in houses off-campus.   And the equivalent to the residence life's office there collects the lists of houses that students can rent (as most times they have to be university approved to go on the list).  

Now, I don't have any personal exerperience with this, but as I'm the only person in my family to have gone through the US higher education systems (everyone lives in the UK), I think that's the way it works.  Someone with more direct experience can probably share more.

[Lifer]

Thank you for your thoughts, I really appreciate it!!  And, Jeremy, thank you for your suggestion.  I will definitely look into it.  You have all been most helpful.