44.2% of People with Study Abroad Experience Have Side Jobs, Roughly 4 Times Higher Than Those Without (11.0%)

Raxus Inc. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; President: Seijiro Fukushige; hereinafter "the Company") conducted a "Survey on Study Abroad Experience and Working Styles" targeting 300 working adults aged 25 to 50 nationwide, through its study abroad support service "Mirai Bridge."

The results revealed that compared to those without study abroad experience, those with such experience tend to have higher rates of side job engagement, multiple income streams, interest in work styles that expand income opportunities, and career satisfaction. In particular, 44.2% of those with study abroad experience answered that they are "currently working a side job," which is about four times higher than the 11.0% of those without such experience.

In recent years, interest in work styles that provide income sources other than one's primary job has been growing against a backdrop of rising prices, anxiety about the future, and diversifying work styles. This survey suggests the possibility that cross-border experiences, such as studying abroad, have a certain impact on subsequent work styles and career choices.

Survey Summary

■ 44.2% of those with study abroad experience answered, "I am currently doing a side job." This significantly exceeds the 11.0% of those without experience.

■ 76.0% of those with study abroad experience and 68.5% of those without answered that they are "interested in work styles that expand income opportunities, such as side jobs, independence, and overseas projects." The percentage of those who answered "already doing it" or "very interested" was 55.8% for those with experience and 34.9% for those without, showing a 20.9-point difference.

■ The percentage of people with two or more income sources is roughly double: 52.6% for those with study abroad experience compared to 26.0% for those without.

■ 12.3% of those with study abroad experience have earned income from overseas companies/clients, compared to 1.4% of those without.

Details of the Survey Results

The side job rate for those with study abroad experience is 44.2%, roughly 4 times that of those without

When asked about their current side job status, 44.2% of those with study abroad experience and 11.0% of those without answered that they are "currently doing one." The side job engagement rate for those with study abroad experience is about four times that of those without.

Furthermore, combining "currently doing," "did in the past but not currently," and "not doing but interested," the segment with some connection to side jobs emerged. On the other hand, 11.7% of those with study abroad experience answered "never done and not interested," compared to 21.9% of those without.

These results suggest a tendency for those with study abroad experience to view side jobs not as a special option, but as a realistic work style. It is possible that the language skills, cross-cultural adaptability, and ability to respond to environmental changes gained through studying abroad lower the psychological hurdles to taking on challenges.

While interest is high among those without experience, there is a gap in the "execution rate"

What is notable is that interest in side jobs itself is by no means low even among those without study abroad experience. 45.9% of those without experience answered "not currently doing but interested," which greatly exceeds the 16.9% of those with study abroad experience.

In other words, it is highly likely that there is a large segment of those without experience who are not uninterested in side jobs, but have not been able to translate that interest into actual action. Lack of information, lack of confidence, or an inability to envision how to utilize their skills may act as barriers at the execution stage.

On the other hand, those with study abroad experience showed a higher percentage of not just "being interested" but "already doing it," indicating a tendency for motivation to more easily translate into action. The experience of jumping into a new environment itself may be influencing the expansion of options in subsequent work styles.

76.0% of those with study abroad experience are interested in "work styles that expand income opportunities"

When asked about their future work styles and whether they are "interested in work styles that expand income opportunities, such as side jobs, independence, freelance, and overseas projects," the total of "already doing it," "very interested," and "somewhat interested" was 76.0% for those with study abroad experience and 68.5% for those without.

Furthermore, narrowing it down to the segment with a higher level of enthusiasm, answering "already doing it" or "very interested," it was 55.8% for those with study abroad experience and 34.9% for those without, showing a 20.9-point gap.

This difference is thought to indicate the possibility that those with study abroad experience are less likely to view the place of earning income or the place of work as fixed, and are designing their careers more flexibly. Overseas experience, in particular, may encourage interest in work styles that do not rely on traditional affiliations or titles, leading to a positive attitude toward side jobs, parallel businesses, independence, etc.

Over half of those with study abroad experience possess "multiple income sources"

Looking at the current number of income sources, the total of those who answered "two," "three," and "four or more" was 52.6% for those with study abroad experience and 26.0% for those without. While over half of those with study abroad experience have multiple income sources, only about one in four of those without do.

In this survey, 12.3% of those with study abroad experience have "income from overseas companies/clients," and similarly 12.3% have "income related to language/translation/interpretation."