10 Empowering Ways to Stay Professionally Active While Living Abroad

Your Career Didn’t Stop — It Just Took a Different Route

When Marta left her job in São Paulo to follow her partner to Paris, she expected a fresh start.

But what came instead was silence. No meetings. No office chatter. No introductions.

Just one lingering question:“Am I still a professional if I’m not working?”

The answer, of course, is yes.

Being abroad doesn’t make you less, it can make you more.

More adaptable. More curious. More resourceful. But to feel it, you need to stay active — on your terms.

Here are 10 ways to do exactly that.

Redefine What “Professionally Active” Means

A job title isn’t the only marker of value. You can be active by:

• Learning something new

• Sharing your knowledge

• Building a project

• Growing a community

💡 Staying active means staying visible, connected, and confident in your own potential.Staying active means staying visible, connected, and confident in your own potential.

Be Where Global Talent Gathers

Every two years in Paris, a unique event brings together international professionals, expat partners, companies, and coaches — all driven by one mission:Helping globally mobile talents thrive.

That event is Absolutely Talented.

At this professional salon, attendees discover:

• Career workshops

• Coaching and CV feedback

• Inspiring talks

• Real opportunities

Whether you’re looking to reconnect with your career, launch a new one, or simply get inspired, being there changes your mindset.

The next edition? February 2026.

Find the People Who Understand Your Journey

Abroad, it’s easy to feel like no one gets what you’re going through. But communities like The Expat Woman exist exactly for that.

They offer:

• Online events

• Peer mentorship

• Career stories from around the world

Connecting with others helps you realise: you’re not lost — you’re transforming.

Volunteer With Purpose

Volunteering isn’t “just helping.” It’s a way to:

• Keep your skills sharp

• Stay active in your field

• Add to your CV with intention

🎯 Choose roles that align with your expertise. You'll feel useful — and seen.

Say Yes to Freelancing

You don’t need to wait for a contract to contribute. You can:

• Write

• Design

• Translate

• Teach

• Coach

Remote platforms and word-of-mouth networks are growing — and your international background is a strength.

Make Your LinkedIn Speak For You

Let your profile tell the story:

• Where you’ve been

• What you’ve learned

• What you’re open to

Post occasionally. Share insights. Comment with care.📱 In a world of digital presence, visibility is possibility.

Learn with Purpose

Being abroad is a chance to learn, not just adjust.Consider:

• Online certifications

• Leadership and communication workshops

• Intercultural skills

💡 Tip: Events like Absolutely Talented showcase training organisations focused on international talent like you.

Create, Share, Inspire

Blog, podcast, newsletter, Instagram — your voice matters.

Talk about:

• Career redefinition

• Life abroad

• What you’re passionate about

📢 You might start sharing for yourself — and end up helping others too.

Join a Mastermind or Peer Group

Alone, it’s hard to stay motivated. Together, it’s easier.

Join or create a small circle to:

• Set goals

• Get feedback

• Share wins (and doubts)

At professional gatherings like Absolutely Talented, these peer groups often form naturally — and last beyond the event.

Say Yes to Coaching

Sometimes, what you need is not advice — but perspective.

A coach helps you:

• Identify what matters

• Make decisions

• Take real steps

Many attendees at Absolutely Talented say a single coaching conversation changed their direction.

Final Word: You Are Still Building

You don’t need a contract to feel capable.You don’t need a title to have worth.You don’t need to “go back” — you can move forward, differently.

To stay professionally active abroad is to say:

“I still matter. I still have something to bring. I’m not waiting. I’m growing.”

And sometimes, all it takes is the right space — with the right people — to remember that.