Next is International Education Week (IEW), a joint initiative by over 100 countries to promote the benefits of study abroad. For years we’ve been telling you the benefits of study abroad and most of your listened. But if there was ever a lingering doubt that made you question the value of studying overseas, take a lead from the feds as they present the advantages of international education which includes (among others) the development of "internationally and inter-culturally knowledgeable graduates." Um... hello, is that opportunity I hear knocking at the door?
As governments move to acknowledge the benefits of study abroad, hundreds of partnerships are being developed between ministries of education around the world, reputable academic institutions and organizations that promote student exchange and study overseas. There has never been a better time to pursue a global education. Whether it’s taking half a year to study politics while discovering the beauty of Southern France, or completing an MBA in Germany while celebrating the pulsing vibe of a city like Berlin, there are countless opportunities to acquire the credits you need while exploring the world around you.
So, how does study abroad benefit you?
In a study by IES Abroad, study abroad alumni report on the benefits of study abroad, using Academic Attainment, Cultural Development, Career Impact, and Personal Growth as pillars to analyze the pros and cons of acquiring an international education. Not surprisingly, as the results illustrate, study abroad had a positive impact on both personal and professional development! Parents of potential jet-setters will be thrilled to learn that 97% of those surveyed reported that studying abroad served as a catalyst for increased maturity. Along similar lines, 76% of survey participants reported that they acquired skill sets that influenced their career path during their time spent studying overseas.
While study abroad can equip you with professional skills like: the ability to communicate with people from various backgrounds; a proven record of working and succeeding in an environment different than your own; and an additional language to add to your linguistic repertoire, like anything else in life, you will only get out of your study abroad experience that which you put into it. Studying sandy silhouettes off the coast of Australia isn’t going to prepare you for a job back home but if you balance your time between the books and the beach, you may just find that study abroad can be a fun and fulfilling way to ready yourself for continuing studies or a career in today’s global marketplace.
For more tips on study abroad, check out:
Click here for more information on International Education Week related events taking place in Canada and the United States!
