How Study Abroad Makes You Employable

How Study Abroad Makes You Employable

Nelson Lewis

Once in a Lifetime

As cliche as it sounds, the study abroad experience really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

It helps you expand your view of the world, you become more independent and you learn more than you ever thought possible beforehand

Not only that, but it looks great on a resume

Nonetheless, putting everything you learned into words on a piece of paper can be a difficult

I recently came across an article that helps explain to employers the benefits of your time abroad, as well as what you gained from the experience

Applying

Going through a study abroad application and navigating the tricky world of international travel visas requires diligence and persistency

With so many various interviews and forms to fill out, you have to be not only determined, but also extremely self-disciplined

This serves as evidence to employers that you’re not afraid of committing to something and can see projects through to the end

In addition, dealing with all of that paperwork means that you need to be organized, an essential skill in effectively doing ones’ job

Pre-Travel RequirmentsThere are countless details that you need to plan around before you can board that plane and study abroad

Obtaining a visa

Finding a place to live

Buying health insurance

All of which require careful preparation and time management skills to complete, revealing to employers that you’re both efficient and detail-oriented.

Globalization

Sure, it’s a widely-used cliche, but we live in a rapidly globalizing world

Studying abroad and constantly being around people from other countries gives you valuable intercultural communication skills

This is extremely valuable to employers, considering the modern workforce’s diversity

Culture shock can be pretty tough, and moving into a new city in a foreign country means you need to adapt to cultural differences and effectively deal with change

Adaptability

It also tests your problem-solving abilities, forcing you to be resourceful and creative wherever you are.

These are extremely valuable skills for employers, since today’s society is evolving at a breakneck pace, meaning employees need to be able to quickly adjust to new situations in unfamiliar environments

Living among a new culture and interacting with people from various countries helps you gain different perspectives on the world around you, making you more observant of cultural differences and world issues,

This gives you an ability to think about the big picture, which is a valuable asset when working on an international or large-scale project.

Broaden Your Horizons

The study abroad experience offers numerous opportunities that you would never have a chance to experience at home such as:

joining a new organization

collaborating with others

working somewhere unique

Participating in enriching extra experiences shows a willingness to learn, while also providing you with valuable experience that can be applied to the job that you’re interested in, allowing you to stand out from the competition

Changing for the Better

Every experience you have while studying abroad ultimately helps you learn more about yourself

As you get to know your leadership style, conflict resolution skills, strengths and weaknesses, as well as how you prepare for the unexpected

Through a better understanding of yourself, you can learn to work better with others