Between 8000 kilometers and three time zones: How I continued to work as a working student despite studying abroad 

Not every company offers the opportunity to complete a semester abroad while working as a student employee. So, I was lucky that this wasn't a dealbreaker for Preyer in principle. Consequently, I got to experience the flexibility and support that one encounters at Preyer from a very special perspective. My semester abroad became a challenging but above all enriching experience due to the possibility of completing my semester abroad while continuing to work as a student employee abroad. The opportunity to work remotely from the USA with a seven-hour time difference and take on responsibilities thoroughly shaped my semester abroad. I am happy to provide insights into this special time. 

Flexible work arrangements: A significant accommodation with substantial impact 

Flexible working hours and adjusting my working hours to the workload of my studies were crucial for the success of the semester abroad, especially considering that, during this phase, I wanted to complete my master's thesis, which was another time-consuming task at this stage of my life. Throughout my employment at Preyer in America, there were constant points of contact—both in Germany and America. This was particularly convenient since, at noon in America, most colleagues in Germany had already finished work. At that time, I could always turn to my colleague Nils, who works for Preyer US from New York City, and who could assist me with any questions or issues. 

My first days in the temporary home 

My initial days in Arkansas were characterized by settling into the student dormitory. It was a simple but functional accommodation that motivated me to spend a lot of time in the university library. There, I completed both my university assignments and, to some extent, my tasks as a student employee. Except for the jet lag, the adjustment was relatively easy for me since I had previously lived abroad outside of Europe. Additionally, the beautiful weather in Arkansas played into my hands. I truly hadn't anticipated how much motivation and positive energy a daily blue sky could bring. The student dormitory was located in the middle of the University of Arkansas campus, where, in contrast to European universities, the entire student life unfolded. During the semester, around 28,000 students gathered here. 

A balancing act between study and student employment 

Coordinating between time zones was an interesting challenge. Meetings for our in-house tool at Preyer, the PreyerMiner, were scheduled to accommodate different time zones—taking place in Germany at 4 PM, in Arkansas at 9 AM, and in New York at 10 AM. This allowed our team from three different time zones to stay in constant communication. Despite reduced working hours, I was able to take on responsible tasks and had active exchanges with our consultants, which I find crucial as a student employee and also extraordinary. This allowed me deep insights into the work of a consultant at Preyer—from over 8,000 kilometers away. All of this solidified my previous impressions of the company and the work as a consultant at Preyer. 

Effective communication and feedback  

My working hours in the USA coincided with nighttime in Germany. This facilitated efficient collaboration, where I completed tasks during the day, and colleagues could review my work results during my sleep. Consequently, I usually had feedback at the beginning of the next day. 

Not only work and study 

My leisure time was not neglected in addition to the packed schedule of on-site courses, the thesis, and work as a student employee, the infrastructure and campus life at the University of Arkansas provided perfect opportunities for balance. With my "Season Pass," I could attend many Arkansas football games in the top American college league, as well as watch volleyball, soccer, and basketball as top-level sports. Moreover, even students not involved in sports at the university had access to many sports fields and halls, which were free to use and well-equipped. Therefore, I played a lot of racket ball (similar to squash) and volleyball, went to the gym, and participated in soccer in the university league. Since everything was right on campus, the distances were always short to find a balance. 

The best came at the end: A tour through the USA  

Overall, I managed to successfully balance studying in Arkansas, working on my thesis, and my student employment. This experience showed me how flexible and adaptable I can be in an international environment, but also how important a flexible environment is. After completing my studies, I had the opportunity to further explore the USA. From the never-sleeping Las Vegas to sunny Miami and the Christmas atmosphere in New York— all these travels were compatible with my student employment and formed an unforgettable conclusion to my semester abroad, which was truly a special stay. A big thank you goes to the Preyer team, who made it possible for me to continue my student employment in the USA, overcoming 8,000 kilometers and different time zones, and supporting me in the best possible way. 

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