Tell me about your post-secondary education. What was your favorite course? Which was your most challenging?

"My most challenging and favorite course was Behavioral Psychology in college. It taught me about what motivates us as humans and why we make certain choices over others. I use this when I talk to students who sometimes make decisions I don't readily think are the best ones for them."

Talk about a course that is related to your role as study abroad advisor. How did the contents of the course help you become a better advisor?"My most challenging and favorite course was Behavioral Psychology in college. It taught me about what motivates us as humans and why we make certain choices over others. I use this when I talk to students who sometimes make decisions I don't readily think are the best ones for them."

What do you think the most important thing is for a student to know before they participate in a study abroad program?

"The most important thing for students to remember is to always be flexible. Unpredictable things happen when traveling - luggages can get lost, roommates can get difficult, and the food might not be something they are familiar with. It's important to keep an open mind and accept all experiences without comparing them to their experiences back home. There isn't a right or wrong, or good or bad. It's all part of the experience."

Think about your student training experience and the obstacles your students encountered or anything out of their expectations."The most important thing for students to remember is to always be flexible. Unpredictable things happen when traveling - luggages can get lost, roommates can get difficult, and the food might not be something they are familiar with. It's important to keep an open mind and accept all experiences without comparing them to their experiences back home. There isn't a right or wrong, or good or bad. It's all part of the experience."

Name 3 top places you would recommend all students travel to.

Name your favorites, or places of historical or natural significance that you want to visit. This is a completely open-ended question that demonstrates your curiosity and passion for travel.Some epic places to discuss:- Iceland for the Northern Lights- Turkey for the hot air balloons- Philippines for the beaches- New York for the glamor

Have you ever provided student training on cultural adjustment?

"I once worked with a student for 3 months when he first moved to the U.S. from China. We met once a week and he told me about how he couldn't adjust to the oily food, the huge portions, and the sarcastic American humor. He was also struggling with the language as he as in ESL at the time. Sometimes we shared tea or I brought some Chinese food that I made at home. After 3 months, his English improved significantly and he'd made a few friends whom he bonded with over basketball. I think it's really important for the adjusting student to know someone's there and understands what he's going through and to have some formal guidance and support."

If you have professional cultural training experience, describe the event or presentation. If not, talk about a time in which you have helped a student overcome a cultural barrier to adjust to a new country."I once worked with a student for 3 months when he first moved to the U.S. from China. We met once a week and he told me about how he couldn't adjust to the oily food, the huge portions, and the sarcastic American humor. He was also struggling with the language as he as in ESL at the time. Sometimes we shared tea or I brought some Chinese food that I made at home. After 3 months, his English improved significantly and he'd made a few friends whom he bonded with over basketball. I think it's really important for the adjusting student to know someone's there and understands what he's going through and to have some formal guidance and support."

Are you experienced in advising students in the area of travel necessities such as insurance and visas?

"I don't have much experience in consulting with students on travel insurance and visas, but I've travelled myself so I've had to look up information for several countries and am confident I'd be able to handle that on the job."

Tell the interviewer about your experience in this area, and if you don't have any, show them that you are willing to learn."I don't have much experience in consulting with students on travel insurance and visas, but I've travelled myself so I've had to look up information for several countries and am confident I'd be able to handle that on the job."

As a study abroad advisor you will need to communicate between countries quite often. Do you speak other languages?

"My parents are Cantonese, so I speak Cantonese and home, and visit my relatives in Hong Kong every few years. I am also fluent in Mandarin as I lived in Taiwan so I can communicate effectively with Chinese students."

Tell the interviewer about any foreign languages you speak, and your experience with that culture. If you do not speak another language, talk about a language culture you would like to learn about more in the future."My parents are Cantonese, so I speak Cantonese and home, and visit my relatives in Hong Kong every few years. I am also fluent in Mandarin as I lived in Taiwan so I can communicate effectively with Chinese students."

Do you have a full understanding of how credit transfers work?

"I have experience with credit transfers and know that the process can vary widely across schools and countries, so I'm always emailing or calling schools to double check my information against their policies."

Talk about your experience in this area, and show that you have a willingness to learn."I have experience with credit transfers and know that the process can vary widely across schools and countries, so I'm always emailing or calling schools to double check my information against their policies."

Would you consider yourself someone to look up to? Have you ever been a mentor?

"I mentored a girl in college who was two years younger than I as a part of a mentorship program. She aspired to become a writer then and I met up with her every week to review her writing and talk her through her writer's block. Years later, she shared that our lunches helped her process her thoughts and organize her writing. She felt like someone understood her and cared for her. She's a feature writer now for a magazine."

Talk about your strengths or area of expertise without bragging. If you have been a mentor, talk about how you inspired your mentee and helped him or her overcome an obstacle."I mentored a girl in college who was two years younger than I as a part of a mentorship program. She aspired to become a writer then and I met up with her every week to review her writing and talk her through her writer's block. Years later, she shared that our lunches helped her process her thoughts and organize her writing. She felt like someone understood her and cared for her. She's a feature writer now for a magazine."

Are you a strong writer and presenter?

"I have a lot of experience with presentation and enjoy writing in my spare time. During my last job, I was in charge of marketing events, Global Ambassador meetings, and facilitating public forums for students. I also published a few entries for a company blog."

Writing and presenting is a crucial part of being a study abroad advisor. Talk about your writing and presentation experience, alone or with others. If you have more experience in one area, highlight that as a strength."I have a lot of experience with presentation and enjoy writing in my spare time. During my last job, I was in charge of marketing events, Global Ambassador meetings, and facilitating public forums for students. I also published a few entries for a company blog."

Describe your communication style.

"I prefer to communicate as directly a possible but also empathetically. I think it's important to be straightforward to avoid misunderstandings, but at the same time being too direct can hurt people, so over the years I've learned to listen thoroughly first and speak directly to my supervisor's, colleagues', or students' needs."

Speak honestly and to your advantage. If you are direct, talk about how this facilitates efficient communication. If you are a bit more passive, talk about how this facilitates a more harmonious work environment."I prefer to communicate as directly a possible but also empathetically. I think it's important to be straightforward to avoid misunderstandings, but at the same time being too direct can hurt people, so over the years I've learned to listen thoroughly first and speak directly to my supervisor's, colleagues', or students' needs."

Study abroad advisors work in universities and private agencies. Which would you prefer, and why?

"I'd prefer to work a private agency for a few years to gain more experience working with different clients from different schools and then transfer to a university. This way, I can become more familiar with different application application processes and bring my expertise to a more long-term and stable career path at a university."

Answer this questions honestly, regardless of where you are interviewing at. If you are interviewing for a university and you prefer to work at a private agency, express how your position at the university would eventually benefit your work at a private agency, and vice versa."I'd prefer to work a private agency for a few years to gain more experience working with different clients from different schools and then transfer to a university. This way, I can become more familiar with different application application processes and bring my expertise to a more long-term and stable career path at a university."

Have you travelled a lot in your life?

"I took a gap year in Asia after a few years of work and it was a really eye-opening experience. I traveled all around Asia that year and the best parts were probably eating foods I'd never seen in North America before and visiting local villages in Thailand. My next destination is Europe!"

It would make sense that a study abroad advisor has experienced and loves travel. If you have, talk about your most impactful experiences. If you haven't, talk about why and what places you would like to visit."I took a gap year in Asia after a few years of work and it was a really eye-opening experience. I traveled all around Asia that year and the best parts were probably eating foods I'd never seen in North America before and visiting local villages in Thailand. My next destination is Europe!"

Are you interested in furthering your education?

"I think I'll go back to do a Masters of Education eventually, but for now I want to gain more work experience as an academic advisor so I'll better know what specific area of education I'd like to study. Most importantly, I want to work more with students from different cultural backgrounds to expand my work experience."

Speak honestly. If you are choosing to further your education, talk about what you want to study. If you aren't, talk about how you will continue to learn while being focused on your career."I think I'll go back to do a Masters of Education eventually, but for now I want to gain more work experience as an academic advisor so I'll better know what specific area of education I'd like to study. Most importantly, I want to work more with students from different cultural backgrounds to expand my work experience."

Why do you want a career as a study abroad advisor?

"I did a semester abroad in Hong Kong during my study in university. I enjoyed learning with students from different cultures and parts of the world and was able to travel across Asia during that semester and grew personally and interpersonally. I want to help others be able to achieve that dream."

Tell the interviewer about a personal experience or schooling that inspired you to become a study abroad advisor. A good answer would be your own study abroad experience."I did a semester abroad in Hong Kong during my study in university. I enjoyed learning with students from different cultures and parts of the world and was able to travel across Asia during that semester and grew personally and interpersonally. I want to help others be able to achieve that dream."

How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple deadlines requiring your attention?

"I have a to-do list app which lists my students' applications by order of due date. I usually organize my day by type of task to accomplish, for instance: applications, essays, meetings, presentations. I try to get through all of them each day and rearrange the order as needed."

The interviewer wants to know that you are organized and can meet deadlines."I have a to-do list app which lists my students' applications by order of due date. I usually organize my day by type of task to accomplish, for instance: applications, essays, meetings, presentations. I try to get through all of them each day and rearrange the order as needed."

What techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organized?

"I utilize Google Calendars heavily. I have several different calendars in different colors separating student applications from school events so I can readily access any student's application progress."

This is a good place to demonstrate that you are, at least somewhat, tech-savvy. Organization is a big part of the study abroad advisor position so it is important to have a few tools up your sleeve."I utilize Google Calendars heavily. I have several different calendars in different colors separating student applications from school events so I can readily access any student's application progress."

Of all the study advisor candidates, why are you the best one for us?

"I'm well-organized, hardworking, and passionate about students' success and often find new ways to present information to inspire students. I also have extensive experience counseling students from different backgrounds."

Talk about your varied experience or multifaceted personality. A study abroad advisor needs to be flexible and organized, creative and on task, all at the same time. Demonstrate that you have varying strengths to offer. Show that you are passionate about the position."I'm well-organized, hardworking, and passionate about students' success and often find new ways to present information to inspire students. I also have extensive experience counseling students from different backgrounds."

What type of work environment do you thrive in?

"I thrive well in a stable environment with set responsibilities as I'm able to hone my skills with lots of practice. This is particularly important as a study abroad advisor as there are many documents, deadlines, and forums in a year and it's important to stay organized and have a good SOP when deadlines approach."

Think about your personality and how adaptable you are to change. Whether you are flexible and creative or stable and prefer a more predictable environment, say so honestly, and craft your response to your benefit.For instance, "I thrive well in a stable environment with set responsibilities as I'm able to hone my skills with lots of practice. This is particularly important as a study abroad advisor as there are many documents, deadlines, and forums in a year and it's important to stay organized and have a good SOP when deadlines approach."

Have you ever been on a study abroad trip?

"I didn't study abroad as a college student, but I've since traveled extensively across Asia to Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, Macau, and Taiwan. I visited many temples and universities there because I wanted to see how education was different based on the religious backgrounds of each country. I ended up staying in Taiwan for a year teaching English and it was eye-opening to see how different students there were compared to American students."

Talk about your study abroad trip in college. If you didn't have that experience, talk about your gap year, volunteer trip to Asia, or any other significant travel experience or experience you had living overseas, and how you grew from it."I didn't study abroad as a college student, but I've since traveled extensively across Asia to Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, Macau, and Taiwan. I visited many temples and universities there because I wanted to see how education was different based on the religious backgrounds of each country. I ended up staying in Taiwan for a year teaching English and it was eye-opening to see how different students there were compared to American students."

As a study abroad advisor, what do you believe is your best asset?

"I think the biggest asset that I bring to this role is my passion and patience in helping students select a school that is really suited to their majors, personalities, and potentially future careers. I spend a lot of time tirelessly researching and consulting with students one-on-one through their entire process of application, which is vital because most of these students have never studied abroad or lived extensively overseas before."

This is a good place to talk about your extended experience and the various types of students you have counseled, or if it's not as extensive, talk about your soft skills."I think the biggest asset that I bring to this role is my passion and patience in helping students select a school that is really suited to their majors, personalities, and potentially future careers. I spend a lot of time tirelessly researching and consulting with students one-on-one through their entire process of application, which is vital because most of these students have never studied abroad or lived extensively overseas before."

What decisions are easiest for you to make? What are the most difficult?

"I usually find it easy to recommend students schools based on their preferences, grades, and interests after I've sat down to meet with them extensively. What's difficult is when I have to decide that their dream school is too much of a reach school for them to apply to given the limited number of applications available. Students and parents can be really insistent sometimes and they do get upset if they have their eyes set on a school that I need to tell the may not be the most realistic option."

This is a good question in which you can indirectly demonstrate your strengths and talk about areas of potential improvement. Be honest and positive."I usually find it easy to recommend students schools based on their preferences, grades, and interests after I've sat down to meet with them extensively. What's difficult is when I have to decide that their dream school is too much of a reach school for them to apply to given the limited number of applications available. Students and parents can be really insistent sometimes and they do get upset if they have their eyes set on a school that I need to tell the may not be the most realistic option."

How do you get a peer or colleague to accept one of your ideas?

"I usually try to find the best of both worlds, or combine everyone's ideas so no one feels left out. Once, my colleague and I cohosted a forum promoting overseas learning. She wanted to adopt a more formal panel Q&A approach and I wanted to incorporate more informal discussion, games, and scenarios to get the students more engaged. We ended up making a two-part event that had both formal and entertainment aspects and it was well-received."

The interviewer wants to know that you are both cooperative and assertive. Ideally, describe an experienced that required team work."I usually try to find the best of both worlds, or combine everyone's ideas so no one feels left out. Once, my colleague and I cohosted a forum promoting overseas learning. She wanted to adopt a more formal panel Q&A approach and I wanted to incorporate more informal discussion, games, and scenarios to get the students more engaged. We ended up making a two-part event that had both formal and entertainment aspects and it was well-received."

Explain how you would be an asset to this organization.

"I noticed your company works with Chinese students who want to study overseas. I've lived and worked in China for 10 years and am experienced with helping them apply for schools abroad. I think I can bring a multicultural advantage to this organization."

Do some research about the school or organization. Highlight your own experience as an advisor or overseas."I noticed your company works with Chinese students who want to study overseas. I've lived and worked in China for 10 years and am experienced with helping them apply for schools abroad. I think I can bring a multicultural advantage to this organization."

Do you consider yourself a natural leader? Tell me about a time that you took on a leadership role without being asked.

"I wouldn't say I'm a natural leader, but I do enjoy situations when I'm able to creatively execute my ideas. Once, when a group of Japanese students visited our school, I had the idea to serve sliders and fries in the form of a Japanese tea ceremony and I worked with a few colleagues to arrange the setup and room decoration. The visiting students really enjoyed it."

Be honest with the interviewer. Leadership may not be everyone's strength, but you can still describe an instance in which you showed initiative."I wouldn't say I'm a natural leader, but I do enjoy situations when I'm able to creatively execute my ideas. Once, when a group of Japanese students visited our school, I had the idea to serve sliders and fries in the form of a Japanese tea ceremony and I worked with a few colleagues to arrange the setup and room decoration. The visiting students really enjoyed it."

What has been your greatest accomplishment as a study abroad advisor?

"My greatest accomplishment was organizing a successful Global Ambassador information session and luncheon. I invited exchange students and local students who had studied abroad to share their experiences. After the event, several students who'd never considered studying abroad applied for a semester overseas."

Tell the interviewer about your proudest moments of being a study abroad advisor. Perhaps it was when your student got into a school of his or her choice or when you held a successful public forum."My greatest accomplishment was organizing a successful Global Ambassador information session and luncheon. I invited exchange students and local students who had studied abroad to share their experiences. After the event, several students who'd never considered studying abroad applied for a semester overseas."

What major challenges did you face at your last position?

Describe your experience honestly without presenting yourself in a negative light. Discuss how you overcame a professional or interpersonal obstacle with finesse."My supervisor was tough in my last job. She was really demanding and gave me lot of cases to work on in a very short period of time, so time management was essential. Fortunately, another colleague agreed to cover some of my cases and we worked together to complete the applications before the deadline.

Study Abroad Advisor Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Tell me about your post-secondary education. What was your favorite course? Which was your most challenging?
2. What do you think the most important thing is for a student to know before they participate in a study abroad program?
3. Name 3 top places you would recommend all students travel to.
4. Have you ever provided student training on cultural adjustment?
5. Are you experienced in advising students in the area of travel necessities such as insurance and visas?
6. As a study abroad advisor you will need to communicate between countries quite often. Do you speak other languages?
7. Do you have a full understanding of how credit transfers work?
8. Would you consider yourself someone to look up to? Have you ever been a mentor?
9. Are you a strong writer and presenter?
10. Describe your communication style.
11. Study abroad advisors work in universities and private agencies. Which would you prefer, and why?
12. Have you travelled a lot in your life?
13. Are you interested in furthering your education?
14. Why do you want a career as a study abroad advisor?
15. How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple deadlines requiring your attention?
16. What techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organized?
17. Of all the study advisor candidates, why are you the best one for us?
18. What type of work environment do you thrive in?
19. Have you ever been on a study abroad trip?
20. As a study abroad advisor, what do you believe is your best asset?
21. What decisions are easiest for you to make? What are the most difficult?
22. How do you get a peer or colleague to accept one of your ideas?
23. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization.
24. Do you consider yourself a natural leader? Tell me about a time that you took on a leadership role without being asked.
25. What has been your greatest accomplishment as a study abroad advisor?
26. What major challenges did you face at your last position?

Study Abroad Advisor Interview Questions

1. Tell me about your post-secondary education. What was your favorite course? Which was your most challenging?

2. What do you think the most important thing is for a student to know before they participate in a study abroad program?

3. Name 3 top places you would recommend all students travel to.

4. Have you ever provided student training on cultural adjustment?

5. Are you experienced in advising students in the area of travel necessities such as insurance and visas?

6. As a study abroad advisor you will need to communicate between countries quite often. Do you speak other languages?

7. Do you have a full understanding of how credit transfers work?

8. Would you consider yourself someone to look up to? Have you ever been a mentor?

9. Are you a strong writer and presenter?

10. Describe your communication style.

11. Study abroad advisors work in universities and private agencies. Which would you prefer, and why?

12. Have you travelled a lot in your life?

13. Are you interested in furthering your education?

14. Why do you want a career as a study abroad advisor?

15. How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple deadlines requiring your attention?

16. What techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organized?

17. Of all the study advisor candidates, why are you the best one for us?

18. What type of work environment do you thrive in?

19. Have you ever been on a study abroad trip?

20. As a study abroad advisor, what do you believe is your best asset?

21. What decisions are easiest for you to make? What are the most difficult?

22. How do you get a peer or colleague to accept one of your ideas?

23. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization.

24. Do you consider yourself a natural leader? Tell me about a time that you took on a leadership role without being asked.

25. What has been your greatest accomplishment as a study abroad advisor?

26. What major challenges did you face at your last position?