School's out, time to get out of here! What a feeling when the final exams (the Austrian Matura) are done! Students work toward this for years, and for the first time a sense of incredible freedom sets in. Some have already figured out what they want to do and may even have enrolled at a university, while others know only one thing for sure: they don't want to go straight back to the classroom, they want to explore the world a bit. But going abroad after graduation - where to, and what to do there?

These days there are plenty of options for spending time abroad after graduation:

Going abroad after high school
  • Au pair stays
  • Internships abroad
  • Voluntary social year
  • Work and Travel
  • Workaway
  • Language trips and much more

Au pair - the classic

Probably the classic among stays abroad after graduation is the au pair year. It's mostly taken up by young women, but young men are welcome too. In most cases, participants live with a family and, in exchange for room and board, help out around the house and look after the children. Agencies that specialize in au pair stays make sure working hours and conditions are regulated. That way you can enjoy your time abroad after graduation to the fullest. An au pair year is also the perfect opportunity to learn a new language or deepen the language skills you already have.

Volunteer work

Going abroad after high school

There are lots of associations, organizations and NGOs that place young people in charitable projects around the world. Why not teach English to children in Vietnam who have no access to education? Or build a well in Cameroon? Or help out at a daycare center for students in Costa Rica? The variety of options is huge, although some organizations require participants to raise donations before taking part. In return, they take care of the logistics. Orientation seminars, support and feedback during your stay are included. An experience like this abroad after graduation is enriching and looks great on your resume later on.

Working abroad after graduation

If you've had enough of studying for a while and would rather get a taste of the real working world, there are plenty of ways to explore other countries too. Internships abroad can help you find out whether the degree you're planning is really right for you. You can also improve your language skills wonderfully along the way. If you're looking for less pressure and fewer obligations, work experiences like Workaway, Work and Travel or WWOOFing are a good fit. The organizing is mostly left up to you: through the respective website you can get in touch with businesses, farms and so on. Some "hosts" require a minimum stay of a few weeks. Work and Travel stays in Australia and New Zealand are especially popular, so that's where you'll find some of the widest selection of projects.

Graduation is a very special time for young people. An experience abroad helps you broaden your horizons, appreciate your privileges more, meet new people and much more, so it's highly recommended.