Do you dream of travelling abroad to study? Do you have a foreign school in mind to earn your degree? Then you are missing a lot if you don’t follow Sarika Dubey and her platform for all who want to study and work abroad.
Our Interview With Sarika Dubey on Work and Study Abroad
London, UK – In an exclusive interview with Travel Radio Live, Sarika Dubey, a prominent tech leader with over 15 years of experience in strategy, digital products, and business consulting, shed light on her transformative work as Your Knowledge Buddy.
Dubey uses her platform to guide aspiring students and professionals through their study and work abroad journeys, offering unparalleled expertise on visas, scholarships, loans, and more. Her insights show that she is really committed to achieving global learning and empowering individuals to turn their international dreams into reality. This is why we are writing this study and work abroad guide as an essential resource for you.
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Navigating the UK Immigration Maze: New Pathways for Overstayers and Travelers
Why This Study and Work Abroad Guide Matters in 2026
If your dream is to study at a world-class university or build a career in a country you’ve only seen on a screen, then welcome. Millions of people have that same dream, but most never act on it because they don’t know where to start.
That’s exactly why we are writing this study and work abroad guide.
You will find practical, battle-tested advice from Sarika Dubey, a London-based tech leader, career coach, and founder of Your Knowledge Buddy. We break down her entire journey from dream to destination.
Sarika made her move from India to the UK over 14 years ago and has since become one of the most trusted voices for international students and professionals navigating life abroad.
Whether you’re a student researching scholarships or a professional ready to take your career global, this study and work abroad guide gives you the exact roadmap you need.
What You’ll Learn in This Study and Work Abroad Guide
- Why studying and working abroad is worth it in 2025 and beyond
- How to choose the right country for your goals and budget
- Step-by-step visa and application advice
- How to find scholarships and fund your move
- Sarika Dubey’s insider secrets for career success abroad
- How to adapt to a new culture without losing yourself
- What to do after you land your first international role
Step-by-Step: Your Study and Work Abroad Guide Roadmap
Before diving into the how, let’s talk about the why.
The world is more connected than ever, and many employers know it.
International experience is no longer a “nice to have.” Imagine that you have a Ukraine company sitting on your CV, or a Manchester University degree in the education section. This automatically signals adaptability, global awareness, and the kind of resilience that only comes from navigating life in an unfamiliar place.
Research consistently shows that graduates who study abroad earn more, advance faster, and access networks that domestic-only candidates simply can’t reach.
Look at what the result of plenty of research data shows:
- Over 1 million international students study in the United States alone each year
- Post-study work visas are now a key part of immigration policy in the UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany
- Employers in 2025 are actively prioritising candidates with cross-cultural competence, STEM skills, and global work experience
- Countries like Germany offer tuition-free education at public universities for international students
The window of opportunity is real. But are you ready to step through it?
How to Study and Work Abroad
Step 1: Define Your Goal: Study, Work, or Both?
The biggest mistake people make at the start of this journey is trying to plan without clarity.
Before you research countries, courses, or visas, answer these three questions honestly:
- What outcome do I want? A degree? A job? Permanent residency? A specific career pivot?
- What’s my timeline? Are you ready to move in 12 months, or are you still 3 years away?
- What’s my budget? Be realistic. It is relatively expensive to study abroad. The costs range from €15,000/year in Germany to $70,000+/year in the US.
Once you have these answers, everything else gets clearer, and this study and work abroad guide can help you execute.
Step 2: Choose the Right Country for Your Goals
Not all destinations are created equal. The outcomes you want to achieve are what should determine the country you will go to. Let me give you a practical breakdown of the top study and work abroad destinations in 2026 based on Sarika Dubey’s recommendations.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom — Best for Career Growth and Prestige
The UK remains one of the most popular destinations for people who want to study and work abroad, and for good reason.
The Graduate Route visa allows international graduates to stay and work for two years after completing their degree. For postgraduate researchers, that extends to three years.
It’s also where Sarika Dubey built her career. As a Lead Business Analyst and Product Owner at TUI, she’s proof that the UK’s tech and business landscape offers genuine opportunities for international talent.
Best for: Business, IT, engineering, finance, and media professionals
Key institutions: University of Oxford, UCL, Imperial College London, University of Manchester
Average cost: £24,000–£53,000/year (tuition + living)
🇨🇦 Canada — Best for Immigration Pathways
Canada is widely considered the most immigration-friendly study destination in the world right now.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows graduates to work for up to 3 years, and the Express Entry immigration system gives former international students a clear pathway to permanent residency.
Best for: Students with long-term settlement goals
Key institutions: University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia
Average cost: CAD $35,000–$55,000/year
🇩🇪 Germany — Best Value Education
Germany is the smart choice for students who want a world-class education without the price tag. Public universities charge little to no tuition fees for international students, making it a genuinely affordable option.
Living costs in Germany typically run €10,000–€15,000 per year. After graduation, a job seeker visa gives you up to 18 months to find employment in Germany.
Best for: Engineering, technology, environmental science, business
Key institutions: TU Munich, LMU Munich, Heidelberg University
🇦🇺 Australia — Best for Lifestyle and Post-Study Work
Australia combines high-quality education with a lifestyle that attracts students from across the world. The Temporary Graduate Visa lets you work for 2–4 years, depending on your qualification level and location.
STEM graduates and those who studied in regional areas get additional benefits.
Best for: Environmental sciences, medicine, agriculture, tech
Key institutions: Australian National University, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney
🇺🇸 United States — Best for Research and Innovation
The US hosts more international students than any other country. There are over 3,500 institutions across virtually every academic discipline. The prestige of an American degree still opens doors globally.
Best for: Research, STEM, business, arts, law
Key institutions: Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Columbia
Average cost: $40,000–$90,000/year
Sarika’s Take:
“Don’t just chase rankings. Choose a country that aligns with your career goals, your budget, and where you can actually build a life. I chose the UK because of its tech industry and the career pathways it opened. That decision changed everything.”
Visa Essentials: Key Insights from This Study and Work Abroad Guide from Sarika Dubey
Step 3: Understand Your Visa Options
Visa confusion is one of the most common reasons people delay or abandon their plans. Let’s simplify it.
Student Visas: What You Need to Know
Most countries require a student visa (or study permit) before you can enrol for any course. The key documents you must provide to apply for a student visa typically include:
- Unconditional offer letter from an accredited institution
- Proof of finances (bank statements showing you can cover tuition + living costs)
- English language test results (IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo English Test, accepted at 4,000+ universities globally)
- Valid passport
- Medical insurance (sometimes required upfront)
Important 2026 update:
Visa rules are tightening globally. The UK, Canada, and Australia have all increased financial requirements or introduced stricter scrutiny of applications. Start your visa process at least 6-9 months before your intended start date.
Post-Study Work Visas: Your Bridge to a Career
As a foreigner, you must not blindly go into visa applications or pick any random courses online. You must understand that unless you have a sponsor like Johann Rupert or Dangote, you may also need to work abroad while you study.
| Country | Post-Study Work Visa | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Graduate Route Visa | 2-3 years |
| Canada | Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | up to 3 years |
| Australia | Temporary Graduate Visa | up to 4 years |
| Germany | Job Seeker Visa | 18 months |
| USA | OPT (Optional Practical Training) | 1-3 years |
“Navigating in a new country is not easy,” Dubey asserted. “You need to try different things… People forget the power of networking.”
Pro tip from Sarika:
Apply for your post-study work visa before your student visa expires. Don’t wait until the last moment. Keep a folder of every document you’ve used throughout your student years, you’ll likely need them again. This level of detail is what makes this study and work abroad guide so practical.
Funding Your Journey: Scholarships in This Study and Work Abroad Guide
Step 4: Find Scholarships and Fund Your Move
Money is the number one barrier to studying and working abroad. But there’s more funding available than most people realise.
Strategic Study and Work Abroad Options
Dubey’s approach to international study options is highly personalised, focusing on the individual’s end goal, career aspirations, and budget. For those aiming to settle abroad, she currently recommends the following.
Government-funded scholarships are among the most generous and prestigious:
Chevening Scholarships (UK): You can apply for these fully funded Master’s degree scholarships for exceptional international students
Commonwealth Scholarships: You can apply to this if you are a student from a Commonwealth country.
DAAD Scholarships (Germany): This scholarship covers tuition and living costs for postgraduate programmes
Fulbright Programme (USA): This scholarship covers study, research, or teaching
Australia Awards: Fully funded scholarships for students from partner countries
You must understand that university scholarships vary by institution. Therefore, always check the international student section of any university website you apply to.
Employer-sponsored programmes are increasingly common in sectors like nursing, engineering, and technology, where countries are actively recruiting international talent.
Sarika Dubey also highlighted innovative study options, such as global scholarships allowing study in multiple countries and partnerships between universities in the UK and countries like the UAE or India, where students can complete part of their degree locally to reduce overall costs.
How Sarika Dubey Approached Funding
Sarika’s journey is a reminder that you don’t have to fund everything up front. She built her career while working by balancing a demanding full-time role as a tech professional with her passion for content creation and coaching.
Her advice:
Start part-time if you need to. Many international study programmes allow students to work up to 20 hours per week. That income, combined with smart financial planning, can make a significant difference. This is a strategy emphasised throughout this study and work abroad guide.
Course Selection: A Critical Chapter in This Study and Work Abroad Guide
Step 5: Choose the Right Course
This is one of Sarika Dubey’s biggest niches.
Not all courses lead to jobs.
One of the biggest traps international students fall into is choosing a programme based on interest alone without checking whether it leads to real employment opportunities in their target country.
Sarika’s Framework for Choosing the Right Course
Ask yourself these questions before enrolling in any course:
- Is this course accredited and recognised in the country I want to work in?
- Does it appear on the country’s Shortage Occupation List or high-demand sectors?
- Are there placement years, internships, or industry links built into the programme?
- What do alumni say about employment outcomes?
High-Demand Fields in 2026 for People Who Want to Study and Work Abroad
Based on current immigration data and employer trends, the most in-demand fields for international students and workers include:
- Technology (Software Engineering, Data Science, AI/ML, Cybersecurity)
- Healthcare (Nursing, Allied Health, Pharmacology)
- Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical)
- Business and Finance
- Sustainability and Green Technology
I always tell students, choose a course that leads to a job, not just a certificate. Do your research before you commit. It’s the difference between struggling to find work after graduation and walking into interviews with confidence.”
— Sarika Dubey
Cultural Success: The Human Side of This Study and Work Abroad Guide
Step 6: Prepare for Cultural Adaptation
Most people spend months preparing paperwork and zero time preparing for the emotional and cultural journey of moving abroad.
That’s a mistake.
Cultural adaptation isn’t just about learning local customs but also about building resilience, expanding your identity, and finding community in an unfamiliar place.
Sarika’s Secrets for Cultural Success
Having navigated the move from India to the UK and built a life there over 14 years, Sarika has hard-won wisdom on this topic.
Build your community before you arrive. Join online forums, LinkedIn groups, and Facebook communities for international students in your target city before you land. You’ll arrive with contacts.
Embrace discomfort as a data point. Feeling overwhelmed in week three doesn’t mean you made a wrong decision. It means you’re growing. Sarika Dubey talks openly about the early challenges, like late nights, self-doubt, and isolation of being far from family.
Find your anchor. Whether it’s a weekly call home, a sport, or a faith community, find something that keeps you grounded while you’re building your new life.
Don’t compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter ten. Social media makes it look like everyone else is thriving. Most international students face the same struggles you may start facing, they just don’t post about them.
If people don’t like you, they will make reasons to get you out of the company.”
This underlines a crucial point for international travellers: understanding local customs and emotional intelligence is paramount for successful integration.
Land Your First Role: Career Tips from This Study and Work Abroad Guide
Step 7: Land Your First International Job
Let’s say you’ve arrived and settled in. Now it’s time to build your career.
Here’s the practical strategy Sarika recommends for international students and professionals entering a new job market.
Build a Local Network Fast
LinkedIn is your most powerful tool as an international professional.
Update your profile to reflect your international background as an asset. Actively connect with professionals in your field in your target city. Engage with content in your field of study or work, comment meaningfully, and reach out for informational interviews. Don’t see them as job applications, just conversations.
Sarika grew her Your Knowledge Buddy audience to over 200,000 followers through consistent, value-driven content. The same principle applies to job searching: show up consistently, offer value, and opportunities will follow.
Tailor Your CV for the Local Market
CVs are not universal. A CV that works in India won’t necessarily work in the UK, and vice versa. Also, a CV that works for a nurse will not work for an engineer. Let us talk about the differences in CV requirements by country:
Length: UK CVs are typically 2 pages; US resumes are 1 page
Photo: Never include a photo on a US or UK CV
Personal statement: Tailor this specifically to each application
Referees: Have at least two people ready to vouch for you
Use Recruitment Agencies That Specialise in International Talent
Many international students don’t know that recruitment agencies exist specifically to help overseas graduates enter the local job market. These agencies understand visa requirements, timelines, and the specific challenges international candidates face.
Pursue Further Education or Certifications Strategically
Sarika Dubey is a strong advocate for continuous learning. Her YouTube channel covers everything from IT certifications that boost earning potential to MBA programmes that accelerate career transitions.
In the UK specifically, professional certifications in areas like project management (PRINCE2, PMP), business analysis (BCS, IIBA), and data science (Google Data Analytics, AWS) are highly regarded by employers.
The Impact of International Experience on Your Career and Life
Let’s zoom out for a moment.
People who study and work abroad don’t just build better CVs. They build better lives.
When you are studying and working abroad, you become someone different. You become more confident and resilient. You are now more capable of navigating uncertainty. Sarika’s story is not just about career milestones but also about the transformation that happens when you choose to step into the unknown and back yourself.
She was a tech professional who gave up personal time to create content late at night. She was a mentor who hosted social events, collaborated with other influencers, and gave guest lectures at universities. All of this, because she wanted others to have the opportunities she’d worked so hard to access.
That kind of generosity is what makes this community so powerful.
“Navigating in a new country is not easy,” Dubey asserted. “You need to try different things… People forget the power of networking.”
Your Study and Work Abroad Checklist
Use this checklist to track your progress:
12–18 months before departure:
- Define your goal (study, work, or both)
- Choose your target country and 2–3 backup options
- Research programmes and check accreditation
- Start building your English language test score
- Begin researching scholarships and deadlines
6–12 months before departure:
- Submit university/employer applications
- Apply for scholarships
- Begin the visa application process
- Open an international bank account
- Join online communities for expats in your destination
1–6 months before departure:
- Secure accommodation
- Arrange travel insurance and health cover
- Inform your current bank of your move
- Research part-time work opportunities (if applicable)
- Connect with people already living in your destination city
After arrival:
- Register with local authorities (required in many EU countries)
- Open a local bank account
- Get a local SIM card
- Find your nearest library, community centre, or professional network event
- Update your LinkedIn with your new location and availability
Frequently Asked Questions About Studying and Working Abroad
Q: How long does it take to plan a move abroad?
A: Give yourself a minimum of 12 months, ideally 18. Applications, visa processing, and financial preparation all take time. Rushing this process is one of the most common mistakes.
Q: Can I work while studying abroad?
A: In most cases, yes, you can study and work abroad simultaneously, but there are restrictions. For example, the UK allows 20 hours per week during term time. Canada and Australia have similar rules. Always check the specific terms of your student visa.
Q: What English tests do universities accept?
A: IELTS and TOEFL are the most widely accepted. The Duolingo English Test is now accepted by over 4,000 universities globally and is more affordable and flexible.
Q: Do I need a job offer before applying for a work visa?
A: It depends on the route. Post-study work visas (like the UK’s Graduate Route) don’t require a prior job offer. Skilled worker visas typically do.
Q: What if my application is rejected?
A: Don’t treat a rejection as final. Review the feedback, address any gaps, and reapply. Many successful international students faced initial rejections. Persistence matters.
Final Thoughts: Your International Journey Starts Now
The world has never offered more pathways to international education and career success. And you’ve never had access to more guidance, community, and support than you do right now.
But none of it matters if you don’t take the first step.
Sarika Dubey’s journey from India to the UK, building a career, growing a platform of 200,000+ followers, coaching students and immigrants, and becoming a guest lecturer at prestigious universities, began with a single decision to move.
That decision is available to you too.
Start with one action today. Research one country. Reach out to one person who has made the move. Watch one video on Your Knowledge Buddy. Take one step, and the rest will follow. This study and work abroad guide will be here to support you every step of the way.
About Sarika Dubey
Sarika Dubey is a London-based tech leader with over 15 years of experience in strategy, digital products, and business consulting.
By day, she works as a Lead Business Analyst and Product Owner at TUI. Outside of work, she runs Your Knowledge Buddy, a platform dedicated to helping international students and immigrants navigate education and career opportunities abroad. She has been featured on UK radio stations, judged student competitions at universities, and given guest lectures across the country. Her YouTube channel has grown to over 200,000 subscribers.
We cover almost all the European countries. We cover New Zealand, US, Canada, Australia, if you want, and UAE as well if you want to study in any of these countries,”
…she confirmed.
For more tips that can help you study and work abroad, follow our podcast “Studying While Black.”
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Travel Radio Live encourages aspiring international students and professionals to explore Sarika Dubey’s Your Knowledge Buddy platform for expert, human-driven guidance on their journey to global success.
