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The Library & Information Science Professional's Career Development Center |
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Taking Your MLIS Overseas |
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A master’s degree in library and information science can prepare you for a career in libraries; it can also open the door for you to work overseas. A job-specific degree like an MLIS can make it much easier to find a position in a foreign country. There is much more, of course, to becoming an expatriate (ex-pat) or international librarian than having an MLIS. The desire to live in a new country and experience new cultures is important. The ability to adapt easily to different, and sometimes frustrating, situations will help you transition more easily to your new job and home. Finding the Job Just as in the United States (or your own home country), there are different paths one can follow in a career as an international librarian. Positions for school media librarians at international schools are the most widely available. According to The International Educator (TIE) Online, there are over 900 American, English and international schools abroad. Many of these positions can be found at recruiting fairs sponsored by placement services. The International Schools Services (ISS) places educators in over 300 independent international schools. The University of Northern Iowa also has a well-established Overseas Recruiting Fair. Their 2006 fair will be held at their campus in Waterloo, Iowa on February 3-5. These organizations primarily place teachers, but there are librarian positions available as well. In most cases, you will need the proper certification; however, for positions in hard to fill locations certification requirements may be waived. TIE Online also offers a subscription service with job advertisements and a newsletter on working overseas. Another option for school media librarians is to work for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS). These are schools for children of military service persons stationed overseas. Additionally, the military hires librarians for their base libraries which are very similar to public libraries in the U.S. There are also a few specialized libraries overseas such as the library for the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany. Some of these positions, however, are limited to United States citizens or those who are already a federal employee. Read the job descriptions carefully. USAJOBS and Civilian Human Resources Agency European Region list these positions. Academic library positions for overseas jobs can be found in many of the same places you look for employment in your home country. HigherEdJobs.com and the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) listserv LIBJOBS are two places that commonly list overseas librarian positions. My position, reference librarian at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, was advertised in American Libraries, the publication for the American Library Association. If you are interested in working in a particular part of the globe, research the universities in the area. English language universities are becoming increasingly common, especially in the Middle East. In Doha, Qatar there are branch campuses of Virginia Commonwealth, Texas A & M, Carnegie Mellon and Georgetown Universities, as well as Weill Cornell Medical College. There are also the British University in Egypt, the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, and Al Akhawayn University in Morocco, just to name a few. Occasional checks to the employment sections of these schools’ websites can alert you to an open library position. Is It For Me? Living abroad is not the same as traveling abroad. Traveling, regardless of whether or not it is for vacation or business, is temporary. Things might not go as planned, but you know at some point you will be returning home to a familiar setting. When you live in a foreign country, you are already home. If you have done a bit of traveling, it may help to lessen the shock of the new. I have met individuals, however, who have never left their home country before moving overseas and had no problems adapting. The key, I believe, is to be open-minded and adaptable. Do not arrive in a new country expecting things to operate in the same manner as your home country. They will not; and if they did you would be missing out on an important overseas experience. Expect that laws, social customs, food and dress will be different. And different does not mean better or worse, just different. It is important to remember that you are a guest in your host country. You will be required to observe their laws and expected to respect their customs. This will vary, of course, from country to country. In Germany, that meant equipping my bicycle with a bell and front and rear lights. In Qatar, it means dressing conservatively and wearing clothes that cover the collarbone, elbows and knees, regardless of the temperature. Familiarity with the local language is helpful but not necessary. These schools are English language institutions, so a second language is not needed to perform your job. Making an effort, however, to learn at least a few phrases is always welcomed and looked upon favorably. You may be surprised how far you can get with a smile and a few words of the local language. Pros The experience of living in another country and getting to know its people, culture and customs is the biggest benefit of working overseas. Not only do you get to know the people of your host country, but in many instances your colleagues and students will be a multicultural mix. These differences can be frustrating, especially at first, but if you are open-minded and flexible, they can provide insight and understanding of other cultures. There are tangible benefits as well. Compensation packages will differ of course, but many employers offer subsidized housing and annual roundtrip airfare to your home of record. An off-shore allowance, an additional percentage of your annual salary, may also be provided. For individuals with children, schooling for dependents (in most cases up to two) will be paid for. Health insurance, a stipend for electricity, and a car allowance are some of the other perks that may or may not be included. Depending on the tax laws of your home country, all or a portion of your foreign income may be tax free. Relocating to another part of the world also opens up new possibilities for travel. Take advantage of formerly far-off destinations that are now only a short plane ride away. From my base in Qatar, it is now a quick trip to Oman, Syria and Lebanon. Visiting other countries in the region, especially with an understanding of your new country, allows you to experience your destination from another viewpoint. Cons There can be a general feeling of frustration when you are new to a country and unfamiliar with its laws and customs. Everyday chores, such as food shopping and buying petrol, can seem overwhelming. Arranging utilities and phone service can be complicated and time consuming. This should pass as you become accustomed to your new home. In some instances, employees may be required to live in the same complex or compound as their colleagues. When you live and work with the same individuals, it is helpful to establish boundaries between your professional and personal life and make an effort to meet others outside of your place of work. Some parts of the world are safer than others, and you have to be honest with yourself about how comfortable you are with living with the threat of terrorism. Does your potential employer have an evacuation plan in place? You may find you need to vary your routes to work and be vigilant about your surroundings. Regardless of where you move to, it is a good idea to register with your local embassy. The same frustrations that can affect your personal life can affect the library as well. Inconsistent mail delivery can affect timely and reliable delivery of periodicals. In some countries, censorship may be a problem. Supplies, especially library-specific ones, may be unavailable in your part of the world. These items can be ordered from abroad, but you will have costly shipping expenses. Policies and procedures, such as those related to privacy, may be standard in libraries of your home country but will be different or nonexistent in your new country. There may be very few other librarians at your school or in the area to interact with. However, regional chapters of professional associations may exist and will offer the opportunity to meet others in the business. The Special Libraries Association has Arabian Gulf and Sub-Saharan Africa chapters, while IFLA’s regional sections include Latin America and Asia and Oceana. Regional conferences are best for networking; for professional development you are better served by attending the annual conference of a major library association. Leaving friends and family and moving across the globe is difficult. For those willing and able to make such a move, the experience can be life-changing. Links
Nancy Fawley is the Reference Librarian for Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar. Article published Oct 2005 Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in LIScareer articles are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the LIScareer editors.
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Page last updated
02/21/2006
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