Studying abroad is a huge opportunity. You get to experience a new city, culture, and language and also experience a different university life. But what are the benefits of studying abroad?
Preparing to study abroad comes with lots of challenges: trying to learn a new language, figuring out what to bring, organising a budget. However, your study abroad experience is guaranteed to be rewarding, and there are so many benefits to studying outside of your home country.
As part of our Student Reviews Guide 2024, we’ve examined verified student reviews on the EDUopinions site to find out what students say about studying abroad.
So, without further ado, these are the top six benefits of studying abroad.
Top 6 Benefits of Studying Abroad
1. Learn how to tackle challenges
One of the top benefits of studying abroad comes from putting yourself in uncomfortable and uncertain situations. From meeting an entirely new class of people to exploring a new city on your own, studying abroad might be fun, but it brings lots of challenges, too.
International students have to quickly adapt to living in a different city, potentially with the complications of an unknown language. You might even need to work while studying, an experience that brings its challenges in a new country.
However, even spending just a month in a different environment can help you develop strong skills in problem-solving and critical thinking. If you’re returning to your home country after your studies, then these skills are a great addition to your CV. If you’re remaining in your new home, then employers will also look highly at your ability to seek out challenges and overcome them. Win-win!
Student Review
The curriculum at Ecole Vatel is broad and covers all aspects of hospitality management, from customer service to financial management. One of my best and enjoyable aspects of Ecole Vatel is the study abroad programs. I have had the opportunity to work in various departments of the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, and event management in different countries. This real-world experience is a great asset and prepares me for the challenges that I will face in their future careers. Moreover, Ecole Vatel promotes multiculturalism and diversity. The study abroad program exposes students to different cultures and customs, which enhances their global perspective and understanding. This aspect of the program is particularly beneficial for students who are interested in pursuing international careers in hospitality.
2. explore new Perspectives
Students on EDUopinions who have studied abroad all say the same thing: that studying abroad is a way to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures.
At an international university, you won’t just meet people who are from the country you’re studying in. Universities are meeting places for students from all over the world, all with different past experiences, opinions, and skills.
As you complete group work with your peers during your studies abroad, you’ll get to interact with people you might never have had the chance to before. Through this process, you’ll be exposed to new ways of thinking and perspectives, enriching your studies and your life more generally. You may even discover interests that you didn’t know you had!
Student Review
The campus at Northwood is exceptional, with a vibrant atmosphere and stunning surroundings. The class sizes are perfect, and I’ve thoroughly appreciated every professor I’ve had. It’s a place where you can connect with people from diverse backgrounds, learn about different cultures, and form strong bonds. Additionally, Northwood offers a wide range of engaging activities, both on and off campus. The university is equipped with fantastic athletic facilities for both competitive sports and recreational activities. Moreover, Northwood provides top-notch study abroad programs, offering students an unparalleled educational experience.
3. Broaden your career opportunities
Studying abroad isn’t just about the people you meet; it’s also about the place you study at. Choosing to study abroad means you have the freedom to explore lots of new institutions outside your home country, many of which may have better study options than your home universities.
For example, thousands of students travel to the UK every year to study at some of the world’s best universities like the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London. If you want to study a specific subject, studying abroad can help you seek out top-ranked universities with wider networks, improving your career opportunities.
Another benefit of studying abroad is the boost you’ll give to your language skills. Whether you need to brush up on your English or want to improve your French or German by full immersion, studying in a new language enables you to expand your job opportunities.
Student Review
Yonsei University is something that has been changing my life on a daily basis. Being able to join the strong and diverse community of a top-notch Korean and global university is an immense privilege. The status and reputation are only two of the enormous amount of values that this institution carries: the campus and location are absolutely gorgeous, special lecture and abroad experience will change your mindset and future forever, constant support and scholarship availability are just perfect. Needless to say, the workload and effort required to get to the top is big and challenging, but absolutely worth it and helpful for anyone’s future work carrier. I definitely recommend you to give it a try: this could be the turning point in your life!
4. Gain more confidence
We’ve talked about the challenges of studying abroad: budgeting, meeting new people, and surviving on your own in a new place. While this opportunity will inevitably lead you to strengthen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, it will also give you something else: confidence.
The journey to study abroad is daunting, especially if you’re doing it with minimal help from your current university. However, simply the process of applying to an international university can show you that you can do things alone, and are more capable than you think you are.
Plus, studying your favourite subject abroad with new people can open your eyes to what you love and want from your career. Understanding yourself better, and knowing you can tackle complex challenges on your own, can be a huge boost to your confidence levels.
Student Review
I am currently undertaking my degree at Loughborough University. With a state-of-the-art campus and facilities that exceed expectations, Loughborough is nothing short of exceptional.
I favoured Loughborough above other Universities because it has a large community feel. I was slightly hesitant that I would not be “sporty enough” to fit in with the general population at university. I was incredibly wrong about this, and my worries were whisked away when I realised how many societies Loughborough has.
There are students from all walks of life at the university, from art lovers to video game fiends. My best decision at Loughborough was to become a committee member of a culture and faith society. This allowed me to meet many students and experience their cultures right at my doorstep.
It is no secret that Loughborough has some of the best student experiences in the country. However, one fault that I wish could be mended is the nightlife. As a first year, there are so many events and people to meet that the mundane nightlife in town feels like the Zante strip!
Sadly, as an old, experienced second year, a night in the Union with your friends is filled with the same playlist they play twice weekly, and bouncers watch your every move.
Although it is a trek, Nottingham and Leicester are just a quick train journey or Uber away for a good night out.
My academic experience at Loughborough has been challenging but rewarding. The university offers excellent support for your wellbeing, academic interests and health. The lectures are informative, and the buildings are a short walk from campus accommodation. My main lecture building is only five minutes from the Students’ Union, so I can catch up with friends and have a coffee before my following lecture.
Loughborough has also supported me immensely in my year abroad, from the application process to checking in on my well-being in France. The opportunities that the university has to offer are excellent. I have friends working at top finance firms on their placement year and friends studying in Lisbon and Madrid.
After two years at Loughborough and one more to go, it has become my second home. I have made lifelong friends here that I now consider family and memories I will cherish. I have grown into a more confident version of myself and had the opportunity to study my subject in France at a top European university.
I strongly recommend Loughborough…there is more to do than just sports!
5. Get first-hand experience
Another benefit of studying abroad is how hands-on you can get at an international university. For example, some study abroad programmes are centred around a particular study, and include lots of opportunities to students to work together and immerse themselves in a particular area of their studies.
On your study abroad programme, you might partake in group excursions with other international students to learn more about the city or country you’re living in. Or, maybe you have the opportunity to do an internship or work programme during your degree that will give you experience of working in a different country.
All of these elements of studying abroad help give you greater practical experience than you would maybe get at your home university. When it comes to finding a job after your degree, these experiences can impress recruitment officers.
Student Review
I loved my time at VCU. I double majored in Political Science and International Studies with a concentration in Latin America and a minor in Spanish. All of my professors at VCU consistently encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, take full advantage of all of the resources the campus offered, connect with the on and off campus, and explore my passions. My favorite part of going to VCU was being a member of the VCU Globe Living Learning Community. Through this program, I was able to connect with international students as well as participate in events, classes, and dialogue that fostered inclusive intercultural communication. With the tremendous support of the Education Abroad office, I was able to do two study abroad programs. One was a week-long program in Athens, Greece with the VCU Globe Living Learning Community. There we learned how the country was adapting to support the influx of refugees and migrants. I also did a semester abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina focusing on social movements and human rights. VCU helped me find ways to connect all of my passions and really figure out who I was and want to be in this world. I’m very grateful for the lifelong friends I made and the mentors that I gained over the 4 years of my undergraduate experience.
6. Broaden your cultural knowledge
Finally, a benefit of studying abroad that shouldn’t be forgotten is how much additional cultural knowledge the experience gives you. Living in the same country your whole life may be easier logistically, but you also may be depriving yourself of other perspectives, histories, and knowledge.
By studying abroad, you’re immersing yourself completely in a new place, with new people and different traditions. You’ll discover different cuisine, a different language, and different ways of looking at topics that you might not have considered. This might come from your general student life abroad, as well as from the international professors you’re learning from.
That might even extend to the way you learn – you might not be used to a practical style, or maybe have never experienced group work before. Regardless, one of the clear benefits of studying abroad is allowing yourself to learn more about the world. This will broaden your knowledge and make you more understanding and empathetic.
Student Review
I really like the fact that skema is offering a lot of opportunities and possibilities to travel abroad.
The fact that the teachers are also different nationality is very interesting, it allows us to know about different cultures and habits
Conclusion
There are so many benefits of studying abroad. When you travel for your degree, you take yourself out of your comfort zone and force yourself to adapt, expand your horizons, and meet new people.
All of these things will enrich your life and, perhaps most crucially, make you more employable in the future. In fact, one study of students found that over half (52%) said that their international experience contributed to them being hired!
If you’ve been convinced that studying abroad is worthwhile, then it’s time to get cracking on your international application. Thankfully, EDUopinions has lots of tips to help you on your journey, including this blog on writing a motivation letter for studying abroad.
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