You've probably heard it before: studying abroad is a life-changing experience!
Studying abroad has grown to become one of the top desires around the world among international students. There are many benefits of studying abroad, and ways to grow both professionally and personally. Choosing to study abroad can be one of the most enriching, fulfilling, interesting and educationally stimulating experiences of your entire life.
Whether you're unsure about studying abroad or you're trying to convince your parents, it's important to understand the benefits of living and studying in a foreign country. Whichever study abroad program you choose, it will likely improve your life in countless ways you probably haven't even thought about.
Benefits and reasons as to why you should study abroad
Globalization
While studying abroad, you will be given the opportunity to further your academic study in a foreign country. There are a variety of programs to choose from: some programs immerse you directly in a foreign culture and language, while others ease you into a culture shock with support services designed specifically for study abroad students. With so many unique programs, it may be easy to find a good fit for your personality and goals. Take this opportunity to explore the world outside your comfort zone. Branch out and learn about different places, different cultures and people. Not only could you build a new network of global friends, but you may learn about yourself by indulging in a new and exciting lifestyle. Globalizing yourself may help you understand how you, as an individual, fit into this world.
Experience Multicultural
One of the biggest advantages of studying abroad for many international students is the chance to become immersed in a different environment. This enriching experience will enable you to see and do things you wouldn’t expect, and there is a chance to meet people who have grown up in a different culture, which is an excellent way to learn about different cultures and lifestyles.
Many students who choose to study abroad are leaving their home for the first time. When they arrive in their new destination, they are fascinated by the distinct cultural perspectives. When you study abroad you will find incredible new foods, customs, traditions, and social atmospheres. You will find that you have a better understanding and appreciation for the nation’s people and history. You will have the opportunity to witness a completely new way of life.
Academic Growth
Quality Education Recognition
No matter where you choose to study the goal for many is always going to be to get the highest possible quality of education. The standard of academic excellence is recognized around the world as being the highest quality qualifications to guarantee work in various sectors.
Having access to a higher level of education can help you in your chosen career, meaning studying abroad could bring great value for money.
Becoming an international student can greatly broaden your study options with a wider pool of universities and colleges to choose from. And at often the best choice for you may be to study at a foreign destination where they have extremely highly regarded higher education systems. If you know the type of program you want to study, you can find universities and colleges that are world-renowned in that subject.
Different Education style
Another reason you might consider studying abroad is for the chance to experience different styles of education. Enrolling in a study abroad program will give you the chance to see a side of your study subject that you may not have been exposed to back at home. Often those studying abroad will experience a completely new way of teaching. This can be daunting, but it will also open your mind to new ways of learning.
You’ll find that the new education system is a great way to experience and understand the people, its traditions, and its culture. Education is the centrepiece of any study abroad journey and choosing the right destination is a very important factor.
Learn a new language
One major benefit of studying abroad is the opportunity to learn a new foreign language. Learning a language can be a real challenge, and studying abroad grants you the opportunity to explore a new language, and there is no better way to learn than living somewhere where that language is spoken natively.
Living in a different country increases your vocabulary daily, and introduces you to more colloquial ways of speaking in that language. If you are wanting to perfect your English abilities, studying in an English speaking country is a great way to enhance your academic English, as well as your conversational skills and fluency. If you’re already fluent in English, then studying abroad may give you the ability to study in English, but learn an additional language from the local community depending on where you will be based. In addition to the considerable language practice you will get just in day to day life, your chosen university or college will likely offer language courses to provide you with more formal education.
Professional Growth
Gaining Career Opportunities
Of course, the main reason for getting a degree in the first place is to improve your career prospects. In a globalised, well-connected world, employers increasingly value graduates with international experience and education.
Studying abroad helps you to learn new languages, appreciate other cultures, overcome challenges of living in another country and gain a greater understanding of the world. These are all things that modern businesses look for when hiring, and such traits will only become more important in the future, and besides, it will look good on your CV.
International Job Prospects
While you can always go back home at the end of your time as an international student, however many international students decide to stay and apply for a work visa when their course has finished.
Broadening your options by studying abroad can open up a new world of job opportunities in another country. There are even courses which have work experience opportunities integrated within the programme. (Learn about this opportunity more by booking a consultation session)
Even if you return home or decide to seek work elsewhere, the international experience, personal skills you develop while studying abroad can also be appealing to prospective employers and is likely to be looked on favourably. The willingness you’ve shown to step out of your comfort zone, your global outlook and your independence will be traits shown through your decision to study abroad.
Discover a New Career Path
The experiences you take can influence the rest of your life in regards to career goals. You will probably discover a newfound passion which could influence your major or career path, or maybe you will find a new career you want to pursue that you never knew that it existed. One way to maintain an edge over the competitive workforce is to continue your higher education overseas. Maybe you will decide to study towards a master’s or doctorate degree abroad.
Look Great in an Interview
Employers are often looking for students who challenge themselves and learn from their experiences. The experiences and wisdom you acquire while abroad can give you plenty of examples and real-life situations to integrate into an interview to better illustrate your strengths and work ethic. Your newly acquired personal growth and worldly knowledge will strengthen your cover letter as you head into an increasingly diverse workforce. Don’t forget to integrate your cross-cultural and international skills on your resume and cover letter too.
Gain Interpersonal Skills
Employers may be interested in your personal growth and interpersonal skills, so do not discount your abroad experience because you were not in a professional setting. Your expertise in cross-cultural and interpersonal communication may become an asset when working with any multi-cultural team in the professional world. Studying abroad also shows employers that you can adapt to new settings, and is not afraid of change and new challenges.
Personal Growth
Take the Challenge
Even though studying abroad isn’t necessarily easy, it comes with its unique challenges, which is part of the overall unique experience that directly relates to the benefits of studying abroad.
You may have some concerns about leaving your home country, however, be assured that’s completely natural. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is one of the things that makes the whole experience so valuable and worthwhile.
No matter where you end up, you will more than likely be out of your comfort zone as you face obstacles like homesickness, spending and budgeting foreign currency and simply living in a new, unfamiliar place. These may seem like small issues now, but you will be proud of the accomplishments you have overcome. You’ll most likely return home a wiser individual and ready to face any future challenges head-on. After all, if you can travel overseas to study, you can achieve anything!
Make New Lifelong Friends
One of the biggest benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to meet new people from different cultures and learn about other countries and customs, adding to your understanding of the world and how to interact with a diverse range of people. This gives you the chance to get to know and create lasting relationships. Many lifelong friendships start at university, and you’ll be able to live, learn and travel together during your studies. It can also be hugely beneficial to know people in different countries around the world – especially after you graduate! In addition to rewarding personal relationships, these friends can also be important networking tools later down the road.
International Travels
The biggest reason you should consider a study abroad program is the opportunity to see the world. As well as experiencing a brand-new country with incredible new outlooks, customs and the culture of your study destination, you may be able to travel to other neighbouring countries – take advantage of this. Executing travel plans and seeing unforgettable sights may help you see the world through a new set of eyes. For example, if you go to a UK university, you can easily catch a flight to continental Europe to see Paris, Rome, Barcelona and many more fascinating places.
Studying abroad is, therefore a unique opportunity to see more of the world, which is an extremely rewarding educational experience. No doubt seeing other parts of the world will greatly affect your character and worldview, and help you prepare for life in a global world.
Gain Independence and Personal Development
A benefit to studying abroad is the opportunity to discover yourself while gaining an understanding of a different culture. There is nothing quite like being on your own in a foreign country. You might find that studying abroad really brings out your independence.
Personal development has always been to learn more about yourself. Throwing yourself into a completely new environment will help you to figure out what you’re good at, as well as what you’re not so good at. These are things that can then be built on during your study abroad experience.
Being in a new place by yourself can be overwhelming at times, and becoming independent is itself a challenge, but living and studying in another country tests your ability to adapt to diverse situations while being able to solve problems and help shape you into an independent and adventurous adult, ready to succeed in your future career.
Find New Interests
If you are still questioning why to study abroad, you should know that studying in a different country offers many new activities and interests that you may never have discovered if you’d stayed at home. You might find that you have an as-yet-undiscovered talent for various new activities and hobbies you may never have tried back home.
You’ll also have the chance to discover other new and exciting forms of entertainment. Plays, movies, dancing, nightclubs, and concerts are just a few activities that you can enjoy. Use your spare time to explore in between lectures and lab sessions, studying abroad should leave you with plenty of time to explore. Whether you like visiting iconic landmarks, trying new foods or bartering at local markets. (Explore a new interest or a new short course abroad this summer book a consultation session today)
It’s an Unforgettable Experience
Even if your friends and family back home get bored of hearing about it (warning: they will), your study abroad experience will stay with you long after it’s over for generations to come.
Take the Next Step
In our world today, there is a variety of study abroad opportunities in almost every country, so studying in your dream destination is easier now than it has ever been.
You have been exposed to a variety of benefits of studying abroad. Now it’s time to start your journey - Study abroad with Wiser Study.
Ready to benefit from a truly international educational experience, you can get in touch for a consultation session to learn more about the opportunities available for you to start your journey in studying abroad (there is no age limit), and while you’re at it, check out our student testimonials to see how studying abroad has positively impacted their lives.
Good luck and enjoy the study abroad adventures that await you!
And for those of you who have already studied abroad, share with us if you can think of any more good reasons as to why study abroad.
Book now your first Discovery Call session today to talk with a Higher Education Expert!
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