Even a Bubble would burst itself to travel the Earth, Our planet is that Beautiful”
Anonymous
“Study Abroad” is sort of a trend nowadays, and it is as self-explanatory as it can get. It simply means gaining education in a foreign country e.g A person born and brought up in Nigeria traveling to New Zealand to get an MSc in Sociology. People have been known to travel abroad for education for various reasons, such as; greener pastures, gain new experience, better employment opportunities, etc.
However, some individuals still don’t get the full scope of the benefits of schooling abroad, they don’t understand that it is a whole new level of self-improvement. It has the capacity to change one’s life if done right by visiting the right country/countries for one’s field of study and employment.
Let’s dive right in and discuss the benefits of schooling abroad 🙂
1: IMPROVE YOUR LANGUAGE SKILLS.
Developing your language skills can have a positive impact on your career, as well. Fluency in a second language is often helpful (if not required) when working at organisations with a multinational or global presence. If you’re interested in breaking into the world of international business or global health, for instance, having strong foreign language skills and experience that demonstrates those skills can help your CV stand out to employers.
Many careers in international relations and diplomacy also rely heavily on foreign language skills. Although there are no specific language requirements to become a foreign service officer, proficiency and experience with a foreign language is a key component of a candidate’s competitiveness during the selection to become a diplomat, ambassador, or other positions with the United Nations or with other International Organisations.
2. EXPERIENCE A DIFFERENT STYLE OF TEACHING.
Each country has its own unique style of teaching. Studying abroad can help you expand your academic horizon and develop the capacity to adapt to various educational settings.
Adapting to different styles of teaching can also help you adjust to different management styles, improve your assimilation capacity, making you more versatile in the workplace and in your personal life. Teaching styles you may encounter abroad include:
Authority Style: A teacher-centered style where a professor is the authority figure and frequently gives long lectures or one-way presentations. There is a focus on set rules and expectations, and students typically take notes to retain information. It is the most common style.
Facilitator Style: Professors promote self-learning by emphasizing the teacher-student relationship. They help students develop critical thinking skills by teaching them how to ask questions and find solutions through exploration.
Delegator Style: Professors assign lab activities and give students in-class projects to help them stay engaged. This is a guided learning style that places the teacher in an observer role while helping students remain active participants in their learning.
3. IMPRESS EMPLOYERS.
Studying abroad can help launch your career and make you more competitive in the workforce. It gives you the opportunity to show future and current employers that you have the open mind, resourcefulness, and drive needed to adapt to a different environment.
Many employers are looking for graduates who have international experience. According to a recent survey, 64% of employers consider study abroad experience to be important, and 92% of employers look for transferable skills that are typically gained from the experience, such as flexibility to new challenges.
“Students who study abroad offer more to the workplace than those who don’t,” Lombardi says. “They offer a fuller package than just a student who’s looked at how things are theoretically, as opposed to students who have the opportunity to apply the concepts in their studies to real jobs and experiences across various cultures & locations.”
Another survey found that nearly 40% of companies missed out on international business opportunities due to a lack of personnel with international experience. Studying abroad can be a powerful CV booster that shows employers that you have the skills they need to achieve their business goals.
4. ENHANCE YOUR NETWORK.
Studying abroad helps you build invaluable relationships with people from all over the world. You broaden your international connections while having the opportunity to meet people that could turn into life-long friends who are of value and positive impact to your life. Some can even lead to tourism, global exploration of more countries, and career opportunities, including internships, job offers, even business partners.
The university where you study will often have a large community of students from local regions and abroad (different countries), giving you the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures. The wider your network, the greater the likelihood you’ll be connected to exciting career and social opportunities.
Northeastern’s International Field Study Experience, for instance, allows students to work with established multinational companies on a real global issue that they are facing. Doing so is a unique opportunity to build relationships and expand their global networks. Also a perfect CV booster.
5. LEARN ABOUT NEW CULTURES AND PERSPECTIVES.
Your experience with a different culture allows you to expand your worldview. By studying abroad, you’ll learn about new perspectives and develop cross-cultural awareness.
For example, you may work with people from other countries in your next job. By studying abroad, you’ll be more comfortable with people from different backgrounds, value their unique experiences, and establish a stronger valuable relationship with them.
Oftentimes, our cultural background has a huge impact on how we react to different situations. Gaining a variety of perspectives can help you look at experiences in an entirely new way. By studying abroad, you’ll meet people with different upbringings, get used to culture shock, helping you widen your horizons and broaden your mind.
In addition, the best way to experience another culture is to immerse yourself in it, and the ideal way to do that is by living in another country while improving your ability to socialise across any location and with different kinds of people/cultures.
6. DEVELOP YOUR CONFIDENCE.
By immersing yourself in another culture, you develop valuable life skills needed for personal growth, including independence and adaptability. These skills can give you an added boost of confidence in your personal and professional life.
Studying abroad can be overwhelming, but the challenges you overcome can help you become a more mature person. You’ll find out that you can often thrive in new, unexpected circumstances, and you’ll boost your communication skills by speaking a new language or speaking English far more better—helping you further improve your self-confidence.
“It’s a great opportunity to work on cultural competencies, like being sensitive to other cultures, learning how to adapt to new situations, and tolerating ambiguity,” Lombardi says. “These skills are important to almost any job.”
Quickly adapting to your new environment will hone your self-reliance and resilience. From small tasks, like going to the doctor, to larger issues, like learning how to negotiate with a professor or adapt to a different culture’s management styles, your daily life can help you become a more capable person.
Studying abroad can also help you gain more confidence by improving certain skills that help you connect with others, such as:
Leadership: Strong leadership and team management skills are important in almost any environment. Knowing how to lead and inspire the people around you can help you establish stronger relationships, whether you’re working on a class project with a group of international students or completing an internship abroad.
Communication Skills: Strong written, public speaking, and negotiation skills are important to communicating effectively, particularly in an unfamiliar environment like a new country.
Cross-Cultural Awareness: Our experiences, values, and cultural backgrounds guide our viewpoints and actions. Studying abroad reminds you to be cognizant of others’ perspectives. Remember that what is considered appropriate in one culture can be inappropriate in another.
7. SEE THE WORLD.
Studying abroad allows you to see the world and travel to new places you would otherwise not have visited. During your time away from your studies, you can go sightseeing in your new city. You’ll also get to know your region more intimately than if you were just visiting for a shorter period of time.
When studying abroad, you can also visit neighbouring regions and countries, as you’re not limited to one place. For example, if you’re studying in Switzerland, you can visit Germany or explore Central Europe with a group of friends or tour group. With international budget airlines and travel deals, exploring the world is becoming increasingly more affordable for individuals in developed countries.
Your newfound connections can also show you areas that a tourist otherwise wouldn’t experience.
8. DISCOVER CAREER OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD.
Studying in a new country exposes you to increased career opportunities, depending on your field of study. If you’re interested in finance, for example, consider studying in a region such as London or Hong Kong—two cities well known for business. If you’re interested in tech, then look into Berlin or Tel Aviv.
Oftentimes, organisations hiring international employees want to see evidence that candidates can thrive in a global environment. Studying abroad, especially in an area where you are interested in working, gives you the chance to showcase key skills and relevant experience on your CV, like cross-cultural communication and an understanding of international policy.
As wonderful as those benefits are, many students from third world countries with poor currencies find it difficult to utilise this global opportunity of schooling abroad, there are cases where students would get scholarships but still find it difficult to pay for the extra expenses; mainly as a result of the economy of their country.
However, recent research on my end have revealed a wonderful solution which is – Study Abroad Loans without collaterals, consignees or credit history.
HERE ARE SOME NECESSARY POSTS TO READ UP:
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