Benefits of Working as a Psychologist Abroad
Working abroad in psychology can be an advantage for professionals because many countries lack the mental health professionals required to meet local needs and therefore actively recruit mental health workers. Jobs abroad in psychology can also be a great opportunity for those with minimal experience or those who are a few steps away from full licensure. Standard licensed psychologists in the U.S. and Canada must have their doctorate degree before practicing, but that isn’t the case around the world.
In many countries, a bachelor’s degree in psychology is sufficient enough to work in psychology. Training and licensing requirements differ from country to country, and so do cultural standards and language challenges.
Benefits of Working as a Psychologist Abroad
The first step to looking for a psychology job abroad is to check the guidelines and requirements of your country of interest by contacting the national psychological association or governing body.
Professional benefits you can gain. Working in psychology abroad will expose psychologists to new cultural practices, expand their cross-cultural communication abilities, and may even teach them brand new language skills altogether.
A day on the job. A day working psychology jobs abroad is never typical. Whether you’re working with children from broken homes, troubled adolescents, or refugees in a war-torn area, you’ll be working with people who see the world differently, approach problems differently, and react differently to new situations. The result will be both educational and rewarding for any future or current psychologist.
Best Locations for Psychology Jobs Abroad
Your choice of location for psychology jobs abroad will depend mainly on the type work you want to do, and the type of setting you want to work abroad in.
New Zealand has a shortage of well-trained clinical psychologists, particularly in the areas of forensic, health, and educational psychologists, and employers may recruit international workers to fill psychology jobs under the country’s skilled migrant immigration policy. The Kiwi lifestyle is relaxed, the population small and New Zealand is famous for its natural beauty.
India’s supply of trained professionals in various fields, and especially in psychology, cannot fill the nation’s demand. There are opportunities for working abroad in psychology in India across many specializations, but the key need resides in the field of education.
In Central America, South America and Mexico, where the wealth gap between rich and poor is extreme, efforts are underway to bring psychological services to the undeserved; particularly the focus is on rural areas with large indigenous populations who historically have battled poverty, prejudice, issues with education, and language barriers.
In Conclusion,
Psychology is a relatively well paying career globally, the average salary is about $62,000. But that varies widely depending on your level of education, and the location in which you work. Those who choose to work abroad in psychology can usually negotiate a salary package and benefits that provide enough money to live comfortably. But in more impoverished areas, especially in places in need of humanitarian aid, the salary will be low or nearly non-existent, though housing is likely to be included. Consider too, that in many countries, the health-care system is state-run. If you work in an institution, your salary is likely to be regulated by the system. If you work in private practice, navigating the system or setting up a payment system may be a challenge.