Starting a New Chapter Abroad: Anna's Journey to Working in the UK

What if moving overseas could open the door to a whole new career?

For Anna, moving to the UK was about more than experiencing life on the other side of the world. It was an opportunity to explore her passion for travel, connect with people from different cultures and discover where a career in hospitality could take her.

After completing her Diploma of Travel and Tourism through Flight Centre Travel Academy, Anna moved to London through the Work, Study + Live Abroad program. With no previous hospitality experience, she began building her skills through food and beverage roles at music festivals and corporate events.

Now, just a few months into her overseas adventure, Anna has taken another exciting step, starting a food and beverage role at a hotel in Scotland.

Her journey is a reminder that you don't need to have your entire future mapped out before taking the first step. Sometimes, all it takes is the courage to try something new and see where it leads.

Discovering a passion for travel, people and new experiences

Sometimes, stepping outside your everyday routine can help you discover what you really want from life.

For Anna, solo travel opened up a world of new possibilities. Exploring different places, connecting with people from all over the world and being part of positive experiences helped her realise how much she enjoyed the people-focused side of travel and tourism.

She began thinking about the kind of life she wanted to create and the work that would make her feel fulfilled.

After previously studying pharmacy, Anna recognised that her interests and ambitions were taking her in a new direction.

“I discovered I enjoyed exploring new places, felt fulfilled connecting with people from all over the world and felt purposeful when I was involved in creating positive experiences for others. That made me realise the pull towards travel and tourism.”

For Anna, the decision wasn't about having every detail figured out. It was about recognising what mattered to her and being willing to explore the possibilities.

How to get started in hospitality without experience 

One of the biggest questions people have when considering working overseas is how to find a job, particularly if they're entering a new industry.

Anna had never worked in hospitality before moving to London, but she soon discovered that many of her existing skills were transferable. Communication, active listening, empathy, customer service and teamwork were all skills she could bring to a new role.

After completing her Diploma of Travel and Tourism, Flight Centre Travel Academy connected Anna with opportunities to secure a job before she arrived in London. Within two weeks of arriving, she was ready to start building her hospitality experience.

While in London, Anna completed basic hospitality training and proactively took on opportunities to work at a range of events, primarily as a Food & Beverage Assistant at music festivals and corporate events. Each shift gave her the opportunity to learn something new, experience different working environments and develop practical skills on the job.

Her experience shows that starting a new career doesn't necessarily mean starting from zero. Recognising the skills you already have, being open to learning and taking opportunities as they arise can help you find your feet in a new industry.

Building confidence and learning as you go

Moving overseas is a learning experience in itself.

From finding your feet in a new country to building a life away from family and friends, travelling and living abroad can push you outside your comfort zone in ways you might not expect. For Anna, those experiences have helped her become more resilient, both personally and professionally.

Starting out in hospitality without previous experience has brought its own challenges. Anna has learned that mistakes are inevitable when you're trying something new, and that confidence comes from giving things a go rather than waiting until you feel completely ready.

 One small but memorable milestone was successfully opening a corked bottle of wine in front of a customer - something she had avoided for fear of embarrassing herself.

“I remember avoiding it for so long because I was worried about embarrassing myself, but I realised that if I never tried when the opportunity presented itself, I would never get better.”

It's a reminder that growth often happens in the everyday moments when we challenge ourselves to do something unfamiliar. Whether it's navigating life in a new country, meeting people from different backgrounds or learning new skills on the job, each experience can help build confidence and independence.

For Anna, moving abroad has been about more than starting a new job. It's been an opportunity to discover what she's capable of, embrace the unknown and keep growing along the way.

“These experiences have taught me to show myself more compassion, lean into the discomfort and use it as an opportunity to grow.” 

One small moment perfectly captures that growth. Anna had been avoiding opening a corked bottle of wine in front of a customer because she was worried about embarrassing herself. Eventually, she decided to give it a go.

“I realised that if I never tried when the opportunity presented itself, I would never get better.”

She successfully opened the bottle, and what once felt intimidating became another skill she could feel confident about.

It's a reminder that confidence doesn't always come before you try something new. Often, it comes from giving it a go, learning along the way and realising you're more capable than you thought.

From London to a hospitality role in Scotland

Anna's overseas adventure has already taken her beyond London.

After gaining experience through event-based hospitality work, she has recently started a food and beverage role at a hotel in Scotland.

It's an exciting next step, giving her the opportunity to continue developing her hospitality skills and learn more about hotel operations.

Anna is particularly interested in delivering outstanding guest experiences and understanding how different parts of the hotel industry work, starting with food and beverage.

“I'm passionate about delivering outstanding guest experiences and interested in understanding hotel operations, starting with food and beverage.”

Her journey highlights how working overseas can introduce you to different environments, new skills and career possibilities you may not have considered before you left home.

Rather than following a rigid career plan, Anna is building experience, discovering what she enjoys and seeing where those opportunities lead.

And with her overseas adventure still in its early stages, there's plenty more to come.

Is working abroad right for you?

If you're dreaming about living overseas, exploring a career in hospitality or simply experiencing something different, Anna's story offers an important reminder: you don't need to have everything figured out before you begin.

Before making a move, it's worth thinking about what matters to you, what you're passionate about and the kind of life you want to create.

Anna encourages anyone considering a new direction to reflect on whether their next step will bring them closer to that life.

“Ask yourself – would studying this particular course, and the career it could lead to, bring you closer to that life?”

It's also important to consider the practicalities, including visa eligibility, finances, accommodation and employment arrangements.

For Anna, having a pathway that combined study with support to prepare for her move and access employment opportunities helped her take the next step with greater confidence.

Working abroad can offer more than a change of scenery. It can be an opportunity to develop new skills, build independence, meet people from around the world and discover what you're capable of.

For more practical information, read our guide to how to work and study in the UK as an Australian.

How Work, Study + Live Abroad can help you get started

Anna's journey began with a desire to explore the world and discover a career that aligned with her interests. Flight Centre Travel Academy's Work, Study + Live Abroad program helped her turn that ambition into a practical plan.

The program combines a university-accredited Diploma of Travel and Tourism, delivered in partnership with Torrens University Australia, with a pathway to living and working overseas in the UK or Canada.

Students can access support to prepare for their move, including employment and pre-departure arrangements, with details depending on their chosen destination and program.

The UK program offers opportunities across areas such as food and beverage, events, front-of-house service, reception and administration. Both entry-level and experienced roles may be available, subject to individual job requirements.

Whether you're looking to explore hospitality, develop skills for a career in travel and tourism or experience living and working overseas, the program can help you prepare for your next chapter.

Ready to explore your options?

Inspired by Anna’s journey? Your own UK adventure could be closer than you think.

With Flight Centre Travel Academy’s Work, Study + Live Abroad program, you can combine a Diploma of Travel and Tourism with the opportunity to live, work and explore overseas. Our UK program is designed to help you hit the ground running, with support to organise key essentials before you fly, including visa guidance, job opportunities and starting accommodation arrangements.

Arrive ready to settle into life in the UK, build valuable work experience, meet people from around the world and make the most of your time abroad. From discovering new cities and experiencing British culture to using your weekends to explore Europe, it’s an opportunity to grow your confidence, develop new skills and create experiences that stay with you long after you return home.

Prefer Canada? You can also explore our Canada Work, Study + Live Abroad programs, with summer and winter options available.

Please note: age eligibility and visa requirements apply and vary by destination. Job opportunities and program inclusions are subject to eligibility and the relevant program arrangements. Check the program details before applying.

Ready to take the first step? Discover the Work, Study + Live Abroad program or explore the UK program to find out more about your options.

 This guide is provided by Flight Centre Travel Academy to support students exploring travel careers in the UK. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, visa requirements and recruitment offers may differ depending on the student, visa type and destination/country. Applicants should always refer to the official pages of the relevant country for the most current and specific information.