Studying abroad can give you so much, be it a short language course, a semester as an exchange student or an entire degree abroad. Check out what way of study abroad suits you the best!

5 Surprising Career Benefits Of Studying Abroad

This article is written in collaboration with EU Business School.

Studying abroad is a life-changing experience. From expanding global networks to exploring new cultures & traditions, the perks of studying abroad are significant. 

No wonder that the number of international students has tripled in the past two-and-a-half decades. 

Did you know that approximately 4.3 million students are enrolled in colleges outside their home country? 53% of them are Asian, with most from India, China & Korea. These numbers are staggering, suggesting how popular the trend of going abroad for education has become worldwide.

If you are not sure if a language course, semester in exchange or earning a degree outside of your home country is the right path for you, keep reading and find out more about the surprising benefits of studying abroad. 

And who knows - it may make your decision easier!

1. Cements Language Skills

By studying overseas, you’ll get the opportunity to hone your second-language skills in a much better way than just learning from textbooks and/or classes. Of course, you can gain valuable language skills by learning the foreign language in classes but when you live abroad it's a completely different experience.

You’ll get command over the language because basically, you won't have any other choice. If you want to interact with your classmates you will have to speak the language but also your daily language practice will be when going to the grocery shop, out for drinks etc. 

Great thing is that you will learn how to use slang and useful colloquial phrases in an effortless way.

Plus, developing your language skills can help your resume to stand out, especially if you are fascinated to break into the world of international business. 

Fluency in second-language is highly preferred in well-renowned organizations and international companies with a multilingual presence, diplomacy and international relations. 

All in all, having a second language in your resume can be a significant advantage, no matter your professional and career goals.

2. Develops a Better Understanding of Various Cultures

Studying abroad can really be an enriching experience. You will have the chance to explore different cultures, traditions, cuisines and ways of life. 

Immersing in diverse cultures and accustoming to a new place, connecting with a new community, and interacting and understanding their way of life will give you a better understanding of the world and yourself.

As you engage and interact with people from diverse ethnicities and nationalities, perhaps you will start to appreciate your education and cultural background more. Also, you’ll develop a mindset that is open to and accepting of cultural differences and look at the world from a broader perspective.

You will learn about different ideas and beliefs on how to live life and you will open your mind to the new possibilities and enrich your life.

If you choose to study abroad in Barcelona, you are bound to have a multicultural experience since over 179 nationalities are represented among the growing expat community. That means, not only do you gain the opportunity to learn Spanish culture in and out, but also acquire a better understanding of Italian, French, British, etc., from classmates and other local connections.

3. Grows Your Personal and Professional Network

You can significantly expand your network of colleagues when studying abroad. You will meet students, faculty members and a lot of other people and all you need to do is to seize the opportunity to build valuable connections with people from all around the world.

A solid network you build during college can help you a lot in establishing a successful career later in life. The more connections you have, the greater the chance you will meet someone who can recommend you for a job interview or endorse your skills on LinkedIn. 

Yes, make sure you connect in real life but also on social media so you can keep the connections thriving when you are back home. 

4. Gives You Tools for Personal Development

Studying abroad is an experience that will take you out of your comfort zone. You will be in a new country, trying to learn the language and adjust to the new culture.

It could be hard, but undoubtedly it will be rewarding. By exposing yourself to new things you will have the opportunity to know more about yourself in a short time and to become more mature and self-confident.

Meeting and interacting with people of all ages, experiences, cultures, languages and lifestyles will help you to gain refined social skills and improve in communication, listening, empathy and teamwork to give you a few examples.

By studying abroad you will grow personally as well as professionally and that is the “real academic growth”.

5. Broadens Your Career Opportunities

One of the biggest perks of studying overseas is the opportunity to travel to new places that you would not have visited otherwise. And new experiences bring new opportunities. 

By studying abroad you can increase your chances of getting international work opportunities. The more you get out of your comfort zone and build new connections, the more you attract exciting career opportunities that can transform your professional development and career growth.

Studying abroad can significantly expose you to a multitude of exciting career opportunities with bright chances of a financially rewarding career path.

Final Takeaway

So, in the end, we can easily conclude that the decision to study abroad is rewarding. Not only will it open new doors to amazing career possibilities, but you will also gain experiences that are crucial to your overall personal growth. 

If studying abroad for a long period of time doesn't feel right for you, you can still gain international learning experience in summer schools abroad. 

This year’s wide variety of summer schools is a great way to compensate for all the learning loss in 2020. They usually last from 2 weeks to 2 months and provide an excellent opportunity for the global learning experience to benefit you personally and professionally.