7 Reasons Why You Should Consider Studying Abroad Next Academic Year
Are you considering studying abroad this next academic year? If so, today’s blog post is for you.
Take it from me—I spent a semester abroad in Florence, Italy during my junior year of college, and I still look back on that period of time as an extremely impactful one. I learned new skills, met incredible people (who I’m still friends with!), and learned so much about myself and what I’m capable of. I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world.
If you’re still on the fence about studying abroad, trust me when I say it’s worth it.
And here are 7 reasons why:
Personal Growth
1. Become Independent
One of the biggest takeaways former study abroad students have is gaining a sense of independence. This is because being in a new environment—away from everything you know—forces you to be independent. You may have fellow classmates or friends if you go abroad with a school-led program, but similar to the start of college, studying abroad will challenge you to figure things out for yourself. Whether it’s learning a new transportation system or navigating an unfamiliar language, studying abroad will force you to step outside your bubble and tackle things on your own.
2. Learn How To Adapt
Beyond the professional world and academia, adaptability is a lifelong skill that will serve you across so many situations. It’s also something that can’t be learned in a classroom. By studying abroad, you’ll be challenged to handle your newfound surroundings with patience, maturity, and thoughtfulness, and that’s a good thing. If the last couple years have shown us anything, it’s that being adaptable is necessary, and not always in our control. Studying abroad will only push you to grow in this way. By the time you return, you’ll likely feel like you can handle any changes that life throws your way.
3. Expand Your Ways Of Thinking
If you haven’t had the chance to travel abroad yet, this could be your first opportunity to experience a new place, culture, language, and group of people. You’ll meet people with different ways of living, and this may cause some culture shock. But once this wears off, you’ll begin to confront and contemplate your own ways of living, and naturally compare the two different versions. This is a good thing, though. You’ll begin to see the world through two lenses, and this will only push you to be more understanding, thoughtful, and compassionate towards others.
4. Travel
Travel is educational, and studying abroad will allow you to explore places beyond your host country. Being able to travel well and widely, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There’s no better teacher than experience, and traveling is a way for your classroom to expand significantly.
Plus, study abroad programs aren’t just designed for you to do the same academic work you’d be doing back home but just in another country. Rather, they’re designed for your new environment to give context to your curriculum. Many programs offer classes that are country, or even city-specific. While in Florence, I took a travel writing class where certain projects were based on our travel experiences throughout the semester. This helped breathe life into the subject material I was learning about, and this kind of educational experience is so beneficial.
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Professional Growth
5. Set Yourself Apart In The Job Search
When you begin applying to jobs, you can use your study abroad experience to help set you apart from other applicants. Of course, there may be other applicants who have also studied abroad, but nonetheless, it's an international experience that’s valuable to employers. Many of the lessons you’ll learn abroad are soft skills that can only be learned through experience, and these skills will translate into the professional world. Think communication skills, problem-solving, confidence, and more. Also, if your experience is brought up in an interview, it’s a great talking point, and will be a memorable thing for them to associate back to you.
6. Gain Networking and Career Opportunities
Besides obviously traveling to a new country, one of the best parts of studying abroad is the people you’ll meet along the way. Whether it's friends, professors, or community members, you’re going to meet people who will become a part of your network, and you never know where those connections could lead. If you do study abroad, don’t be shy about reaching out to new people and making local connections. We’re living in an increasingly globalized world, and having a diverse range of connections could be mutually beneficial for everyone involved. Just remember to continue nurturing those relationships even after you leave your host country.
7. Show That You’re Capable
It’s not lost on anyone that moving to another country—even for a short while—comes with its own set of challenges. But being able to navigate a semester abroad and overcome all these challenges shows a lot of resilience and determination. When it comes to the professional world, this experience and the skills that accompany it, will demonstrate to employers that in the face of challenges and change, you’re more than capable.
Take The Leap…
Whether you’re thinking of studying in Japan or England, for a semester or just a few weeks, studying abroad is a rewarding and life-changing opportunity worth taking. Not only is studying abroad fun and memorable, but it will also provide you opportunities for personal and professional growth that just can’t be taught in a classroom. Think of it like this—when else in your life will you have the chance to spend a prolonged period of time in another country with limited responsibilities? If you’re able, college is the time to take this kind of leap of faith.
Related:
London, Paris, Milan, Oh My! Becoming an Expat in a Virtual Work World
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Meet The Writer!
Hello! My name is Lea Rose and I am an avid writer with a love for all things international. I recently graduated from UNC Charlotte with degrees in Communication Studies as well as Dance Performance and hope to be a full time travel writer one day. My writing primarily focuses on the ways places and experience shape us as individuals. Please feel free to check out my blog or connect with me through LinkedIn or Instagram @writtenworldblog..
