Far east, mingling itself is assur in many cases and strongly discouraged or limited in others. Where spiritual danger is involved, the main requirement is to avoid it, not to seek it out in order to create opportunities for “learning” or “kiddush Hashem.”
Josh31, yes, there is a Torah mandated obligation to support one’s family. There is also a Torah mandated obligation to learn. Our rabbonim guided us in how to do both: via our parents’ obligation to support Torah. Not me, but Torah. Some of us can’t represent Torah properly and others have parents who cannot meet their obligation (I don’t speak of those who refuse to meet it, they have to answer to Hashem). Then the avreich may have to go to work, all of which under guidance from da’as Torah.