Why go back to school when you're already working?
"We made the move in one direction. Why go back the other way?" That's the thought running through the minds of many working professionals for whom "going back to school" (taking a course, dealing with homework and tests again...) feels like a distant memory. And it's true: the idea deeply embedded in most societies goes something like this. You start school as a child to learn and build knowledge. You graduate from the education system (ideally with a degree in hand) and finally enter the job market. You leave the world of education and step into the professional world, whether at home or abroad. And there's no question of turning back to warm a classroom seat again.
According to a study by Eurostat published in January 2026, the longer European workers stay in the job market, the further they move from education. The 20-24 age group is the most likely to combine work and study, followed by the 15-19 and 25-34 age groups. This breakdown broadly mirrors the structure of academic programs and short-cycle university courses. Students are generally more likely to work while studying, often out of necessity but sometimes by choice. We know, however, the toll that work overload can take on academic performance. Graduating marks the exit from education: it's time to find a job and establish yourself in the workforce.
Once employed, far fewer workers choose to pursue additional training. Their main argument: professional experience is itself a form of education. There's no need to "go back to school." On-the-job learning within a company is real, of course. But is taking a course or going back to classes while you're already working really a step backward?
The importance of lifelong learning for building an international career
Of course, the value of continuing education applies to workers with no international ambitions too. You could even argue that ongoing training isn't just good for your career, but more broadly, for navigating a world in constant flux... and for your health. The research on the benefits of keeping your brain active is extensive.
Keeping your knowledge up to date
Professions are evolving faster than ever. Today's auto mechanic bears little resemblance to the one from a generation ago. Packed with technology, modern vehicles have become sophisticated computers on wheels. To stay competitive, mechanics have no choice but to train in new repair techniques, especially if they're planning to work abroad.
The same applies across virtually every field: new construction methods, updated legal frameworks, revised nutritional guidelines... what was standard practice yesterday may be obsolete today. It's hard to imagine a teacher, doctor, electrician, or lawyer still applying outdated methods. Here too, continuing education is essential.
That said, one objection is worth raising. Some professions are more affected by "knowledge obsolescence" than others. That's clearly true for mechanics and legal professionals, who face rapidly shifting regulations. At first glance, it might seem less relevant for retail workers, tradespeople, farmers, or administrative staff, whose core work appears less disrupted by change. But that overlooks the growing digitization of processes, which is making its way even into sectors that seem far removed from technology, like agriculture.
Staying employable
In reality, ongoing training touches every profession. This is even more true for anyone pursuing an international career. Keeping your skills current is essential for navigating the international job market successfully. Every year, a new wave of recruits trained in the latest technologies enters the field, competing directly with expats already in post.
More plugged into current trends, these newer professionals may have followed more streamlined career paths than their predecessors. They planned their international careers from university, perhaps studied or interned abroad, and are taking advantage of a more accessible expat landscape to try their luck overseas with fewer hesitations than earlier generations. Continuous learning is what keeps you from falling behind as the years go by. It keeps you in the running for jobs and promotions. It keeps you employable.
Another key point, closely tied to the previous one: combining work and training isn't just a career booster—it can also increase your income. The skills you gain through training open doors to better positions and greater responsibilities. So this "return to school" has nothing to do with going backward. On the contrary, it propels the expat forward.
Mastering new technologies
AI is fascinating. AI is also unsettling. And it's becoming an increasingly constant presence in daily life. Even a basic internet search now runs on AI. Along with it, every digital tool is being reinvented to make our lives easier (though everyone will have their own take on that).
What is clear is that it's becoming harder and harder to imagine a successful international career without regularly updating your knowledge of new technologies. Marketing tools and business software are constantly evolving, and you need to adapt to your host country's practices. How do you respond to a job posting that requires proficiency in a specific platform? Knowing the right tools can be the deciding factor between two otherwise similar candidates. You might as well give yourself every advantage and get trained.
Staying effective at work
Giving yourself every advantage means staying effective at work. It means performing at your best. And the results show up quickly. Employees who pursue training adapt more readily to changes within their organization. They develop a broader perspective and a longer-term view. That effectiveness pays off whether you stay with the same company, switch industries, or move to a new country.
It's worth noting that workplace effectiveness isn't limited to the tasks on your job description. Similarly, the training that improves your performance at work isn't always directly related to your specific role. You might decide to learn a new language, sharpen your writing skills, or become more confident speaking in public. These courses may have no direct connection to your current job, yet they'll give you greater ease in spoken and written communication, better adaptability to a foreign culture, and stronger cognitive flexibility.
Research has highlighted the benefits of language learning. People who speak multiple languages can switch more fluidly between languages and between concepts. And of course, speaking several languages (including that of your host country) goes without saying for anyone looking to build an international career.
Developing your soft skills
When we think of "training," we tend to think first of technical skills. But professional development also builds psychosocial competencies. Getting back into study mode isn't easy, especially after years away from notebooks and deadlines. Will you even succeed? What if your results are poor? Could a setback derail your career? Taking on a course can feel like a genuine leap into the unknown and a real test of your self-belief.
And that self-belief has to be measured against a very different context: life has settled into a rhythm far removed from your school or university days. You're working, possibly married, maybe raising children. Work schedules don't easily accommodate a "double life" as a student, and motivation can quickly wane.
Committing to training under these conditions takes real humility. It means acknowledging your gaps and your desire to grow. It also means being open to receiving. This is where soft skills develop: self-discipline, adaptability, curiosity, a willingness to put in the effort, the ability to question yourself... all qualities that are essential for growing within a company, succeeding internationally, and navigating life in general.
Thriving at work and in life
Because yes, there's more to life than work. That's true for locals and expats alike. Training isn't only useful for advancing your international career; it also builds self-confidence. Despite the challenges, you discover new talents and uncover ones you didn't know you had. Professional wins spill over into your personal life, and vice versa. Fulfillment shows up both at work and at home. It's a virtuous cycle that contributes to a healthy work-life balance.
Combining work and training is also an excellent way to expand your network. Whether online or in person, courses bring you into contact with new people and help you grow your professional circle. At a time when a large share of job opportunities circulate through the "hidden" job market, having the right connections makes all the difference for career progression.
Investing in your future
For expat workers, training is your best investment. That line may sound like a 1990s advertising slogan, but it captures exactly the thinking behind the decision to go back to studying. It's about staying active and engaged in your work, so you're better equipped to handle whatever life throws at you. We tend to focus first on the negatives (tightening immigration rules, company closures...). But there are positives too, like new professional opportunities. In either case, lifelong learning provides the perspective you need to navigate life's uncertainties. The conclusion is clear: training really is the best investment for building an international career.
