Deciding to leave your country of origin to study abroad is an important step. Many prospective students wonder what the benefits are of leaving the comforts of home as they plan to go abroad and study at an international university.
However, students who have already studied abroad say it loud and clear: there are many reasons to study abroad. They love the experience because of the multiple life-changing experiences it can provide.
You might be wondering, should I study abroad ? Here we have compiled a list of the top ten reasons to study abroad that will tell you why your international experience can be one of the best and most memorable experiences of your life.
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Gain independence
While any college experience offers the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, students often fail to recognize their full potential by choosing the college closest to home. If so, it could be especially difficult for these students to adjust to life after graduation.
Along with the reasons to study abroad for an international classroom education, you’ll also develop crucial ‘mature’ skills outside of the classroom that will serve you well for the rest of your life. It is common for students studying abroad to arrange their own accommodation, learn a foreign language , navigate a new city, and budget with an unfamiliar currency while living abroad.
These experiences will put you in control of your life, making you more confident and sure of yourself. You’ll be happy to return home after learning how to live on your own and communicate with people from all walks of life, and you can even use your skills to continue living abroad later!
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Immerse yourself in a new culture
Gaining a global perspective is also important when you ask yourself: should I study abroad? In an increasingly interconnected world, cross-cultural communication is a vital skill, and people who can engage with diversity are in high demand. Since it cannot be taught in a textbook, real-life experience is needed to learn how to communicate with people from different backgrounds.
Studying abroad is guaranteed to immerse you in the worldview of a new culture, making it easier for you to understand different perspectives while giving you the skills to express your own.
Naturally, the world-class experience will show you new ideas and opinions on topics that appear in everyday life. In addition to a broader understanding of various cultural values, you will also meet other students from all over the world, giving you the opportunity to build a network of new friendships.
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Stand out to employers
We’ve written about this before, employers value applicants who have studied abroad. With international experience on your CV, you’ll arrive at job interviews with maturity, confidence and practical skills underpinned by real-life anecdotes.
Are you still wondering: should I study abroad? Aside from communication skills, studying abroad improves critical thinking and problem-solving skills that employers want. If you apply for an entry-level position after graduation, you will be one of many CVs sorted by recruiters. Why not make yours stand out?
A study abroad experience will catch the eye of an employer. Going abroad to study in an international program shows flexibility and a willingness to take risks, making you the ideal candidate for many jobs!
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Expand your knowledge
Studying abroad can be a huge opportunity for students from countries with fewer educational or career options. Even if your home country has top-notch universities, studying abroad can open up new avenues to pursue your passions. You can study at universities with leading researchers in your field of interest, access historical libraries and local archives, or explore cutting-edge art scenes. All of these new experiences contribute to a better understanding of the material you are studying.
For example, if you like scuba diving, consider a destination close to popular dive sites to improve your skills or get certifications. Living near a wide range of activities will make your college years more meaningful.
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Discover yourself
Like every other person in the world, at some point in your life you will wonder what makes you the person you are.
When you move abroad to study, you will have the chance to see the world, especially your home country, in a new light. Many international students report that their experience has had a significant impact on their personal development throughout their lives.