Janice Lozano
As an international student, you may face challenges when it comes to balancing your academic commitments with financial stability. This is where side hustles come in. Side hustles are a great way to earn extra money in your spare time, gain valuable work experience, and develop essential skills. With technology, it's easier than ever to generate passive income and explore different ways of making money. In this article, we will discuss various side hustles that international students can consider to achieve financial independence while studying abroad.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Passive Income | Blogging, vlogging, gaming, photography, pet-sitting, housesitting, flipping items, tutoring, freelancing, investing, entering competitions, paid surveys |
| Active Income | On-campus jobs, internships, labour work, handy work, restaurant work |
| Tools | WISE (formerly TransferWise), Studentials.uk, Rover, TrustedHousesitters |
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What You'll Learn
Monetise your skills: tutoring, photography, or repairs
As an international student, you can make extra money by monetising your skills in tutoring, photography, or repairs.
Tutoring can be a rewarding way to earn money and help other students succeed in their studies. You can teach core subjects like mathematics, English, or science, or teach subjects you are passionate about. You can choose your own hours and rates, making it a flexible option. You can teach in person or online through tutoring platforms like Studypool, which allow you to work from anywhere and create your own schedule.
If you have a passion for photography, you can monetise your skills by building a portfolio of high-quality images that buyers will be interested in. You can capture a variety of subjects and styles to increase the chances of selling your photos. While a professional camera is ideal, smartphones today have excellent cameras that can produce amazing pictures. You can sell your photos on numerous websites, such as stock photo sites. Additionally, you can build your brand and reputation by exhibiting your work, using social media, and approaching local event organisers for photography opportunities.
For those skilled in repairs, a side hustle in fixing broken electronics, smartphone screens, or furniture can be a great way to earn money. This is a relatively low-cost venture, as you only need basic tools and knowledge. You can start by offering your services to friends and students on campus to build a client base.
Freelancing is another option for monetising your skills. Websites like Upwork, Guru, and Fiverr allow you to find clients and offer services in writing, designing, editing, coding, and more. You can also create an online store to sell your products or promote products through affiliate programs like Amazon Associates.
Remember to keep your ventures well-organised and provide quality services or products at competitive prices to successfully monetise your skills.
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Freelance: writing, designing, editing, or coding
Freelancing is a great way to earn some extra money and gain valuable professional skills. If you have talents in writing, designing, editing, or coding, you can offer your services as a freelancer. It is a bonus if your specialism is connected to your degree.
Writing and Editing
Many writers and editors dream of becoming freelancers. Freelance editors work with a variety of clients to get their content ready for publication. This could include anything from grammar changes to blog posts, proofreading ad copy, or making developmental changes to a book. As a freelance editor, you can work independently on a project-by-project basis.
To get started, you should build a solid portfolio and a professional freelancer profile. This profile should introduce you as a person, rather than just focusing on your skills. It can include information about your life, where you live, and your interests. You can also start building a network of freelance connections to cheer you on, give feedback, and refer you for jobs. Twitter and Reddit are great platforms to find communities of freelance editors and writers to network with.
Designing and Coding
Designers and coders often outsource to each other, so it is important to focus on your strengths and outsource your weaknesses. For example, you could free up time by freelancing for an agency so you can market yourself to your most valuable clients.
Receiving Payments
If you are an international student, you can use a service like WISE (formerly TransferWise) to receive money from overseas clients. WISE provides you with local bank details in multiple countries, allowing you to be paid as if you had a local bank account. They also use the real mid-market exchange rate and have low, transparent fees, so you can avoid losing money when receiving payments.
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Passive income: blogging, vlogging, or gaming
Passive income is an income stream that doesn't require daily effort to maintain. It is money earned with minimal effort, and it can supplement your salary and help you build consistent wealth over time.
Blogging, vlogging, and gaming are all ways to generate passive income. For example, as a blogger or vlogger, you can generate income through ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsored posts. Affiliate marketing is a handy way to make passive income because it can work for practically any niche. You can promote services or products to your audience using affiliate links generated by a partner platform (like Amazon). When someone makes a purchase using a unique link you share, you earn a commission.
Another way to generate passive income through blogging is by offering ad space on your blog. You can also create a membership for subscribers, and add affiliate links to your articles.
If you are a gamer, you can record and upload videos to YouTube, TikTok, or your blog. You can then embed your videos on your website or share them on your chosen platform. You can also monetise your embedded content through subscriptions or gated content.
It is important to note that passive income won't make you a millionaire overnight. However, with the right strategies and platforms, you can build sustainable streams of extra income.
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![Freelance [Blu-Ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Nrh4KzBOL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Freelance [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/7173JBcSxFL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Pet-sitting, house-sitting, or renting out your property
Pet-sitting
Pet-sitting is a fantastic side hustle for animal lovers. It's a low-cost and flexible way to make money, and you can turn your passion into profit. You can choose to pet-sit in your own home or travel to your clients' houses. If you opt to host pets in your home, ensure your space is safe and comfortable for animals, and if you have pets, they should be friendly with other animals.
Starting a pet-sitting business requires some planning. You'll need to set up a professional website, decide on clear pricing, and market your services. Check what other pet sitters in your area are charging and adjust your rates accordingly. You can also use pet-sitting apps to find clients, but these platforms often take a cut of your earnings and may not allow you to keep direct contact with your customers.
Pet-sitting can be a serious money-maker, with the average pet sitter earning around $40,000 per year after expenses. However, it's important to approach it professionally, maintaining any necessary licenses, insurance, and certifications, such as First Aid and CPR.
House-sitting
House-sitting can be a great way to earn some money, especially if you're already living with roommates and are comfortable with someone else staying in your room while you're away. You can list your room or property on platforms like Airbnb, but be sure to check with your landlord and roommates first and follow any local regulations.
Receiving Payments as an International Student
When working a side hustle as an international student, you may need to navigate receiving payments from overseas clients or platforms. Tools like WISE (formerly TransferWise) can be helpful as they provide local bank details in multiple countries, allowing you to receive payments at real exchange rates with low, transparent fees.
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Buy and sell: second-hand goods, stock, or art
If you're an international student looking to make some extra money, one option is to buy and sell items. This could involve dealing in second-hand goods, stock, or art. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Second-hand Goods
The market for second-hand goods is bustling, with many people seeking vintage items, pre-loved tech, or simply looking to declutter while making some extra cash. There are numerous online platforms catering to this market, such as Vinted for fashion and accessories, and Vestiaire Collective for luxury and designer goods. When selling second-hand items, clear and detailed descriptions and photographs are crucial, as is prompt shipping to maintain a good seller rating.
Stock
Buying and selling stock, or trading, is another way to make money. This involves purchasing stock or shares in a company and then selling them at a later date for a profit. This can be a risky strategy, as stock prices can fluctuate, and it's important to do your research before investing.
Art
Buying and selling art can be a lucrative venture, but it requires knowledge and expertise. It's important to consider factors such as the artist's particular style or subject matter, the size of the piece, and its condition. You can source art from various places, including auction houses, galleries, or private sellers. When buying art to resell, look for pieces that are misdescribed, have missing ownership history, or need restoration, as these can be acquired for a lower price and sold for a higher one after restoration. Online platforms like eBay and Chairish, as well as auction houses, are common avenues for selling art.
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Frequently asked questions
Passive income ideas for international students include housesitting, pet-sitting, selling your photographs on stock photography sites, and playing video games and participating in gaming tournaments.
International students can make money by tutoring, freelancing, selling their unwanted belongings, investing in the stock market, and entering competitions.
International students can use WISE (formerly TransferWise) to receive money from overseas platforms. WISE provides local bank details in multiple countries, uses real exchange rates, and has low, transparent fees.
