We all know the philosophical benefit of studying abroad is essentially food for the soul. But what can it actually do to fuel your career? Studying abroad is about strengthening your specific skill sets while building on interpersonal, teamwork, and networking skills. This happens while learning or practicing a second language or having a conversation with someone who doesn’t share a language with you (these conversations are the most fun of all!).
Studying abroad adds a certain polish to your resume; this is where your transferable skills will shine. The longer you stay, the more skills you will have acquired and honed and the more marketable your resume will be. But whether you stay for a semester or a year, studying abroad holds weight on your resume and especially during interviews. It says to future employers that you are experienced, accomplished, and a traveler. It also says that you are capable of handling a multitude of tasks and excelling.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama toured China with her daughters in 2014 as a part of a campaign from the White House to push for more young adults to dip their feet into the world around them. She said that “The more young people who get to travel the world, live in cultures, and learn new languages the more they will begin to understand our shared ideals and shared opportunities to keep moving forward.” She is right; the studying abroad experience allows for an immersion of cultures and great minds, offering the experience of a lifetime while being in an academic setting. If you just simply go on vacation to Europe with your family, you are missing out on what studying abroad has to offer you.
photo credit: Kaplan International English KI Boston via photopin (license)
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