Students who study abroad will often tell you that their experience living in another country changed their lives. Being one of those students myself, I believe them.
Studying abroad has a tremendous number of benefits – both personal and academic. The exposure to a different way of life often serves as a catalyst for students to discover what they are passionate about. It can also immerse them in a foreign language, enhance their resumes, and prepare them to live in a world that is increasingly multicultural.
On a personal level, studying abroad is a great way for students to learn how to adjust to new environments, make new friends and experience a country’s culture firsthand.
If your child is interested in studying abroad, encourage them! As scary as it may be to send them off to another country, the benefits of living and studying in another country are well worth it.
Studying abroad can help your teen:
1. Get a Job
Students can add significant value to their resumes simply by studying abroad. In the competitive market of entry-level jobs, most resumes look more or less the same. The interest in multiculturalism that studying abroad suggests can make your teen’s resume stand out from the pack. It also shows your teen’s ability to adapt to a new environment and take on new and challenging situations – all green flags for potential employers.
2. Learn Another Language
Particularly for students who want to master another language, studying abroad is a great opportunity. Sitting in a classroom and listening to a lecture is one thing, but being immersed in a culture that speaks that language is completely different. Having to learn how to read street signs, ask for certain products in supermarkets, and make small talk with new friends certainly ups the ante for language learning.
3. Meet New People
Studying abroad will undeniably expose your teen to many new people and help open his or her mind to the unfamiliar. Getting comfortable with meeting new people has both professional and personal benefits. It will not only come in handy when meeting new classmates and coworkers, but also help him or her to have a more inclusive and diverse group of friends.
4. Get Inspired
Many students go abroad having only a vague idea (or even no idea whatsoever!) of what career they would like to pursue. Studying abroad can change that. Students often are inspired by something they encounter abroad, like a community project building schools or a behind-the-scenes look at a theatre performance. Sometimes, they simply fall in love with the thrill of traveling. These inspirations can move your teen to pursue a specific career.
Studying abroad is unlike anything else in providing students with a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether your teen spends a semester living in an ancient European city, a year helping to build housing in Africa, or a summer sailing the world, studying abroad will expose him or her to a unique and previously unexplored world.
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Today’s guest blog post is from Polina at University Language Services (@CampusCommons). ULS specializes in helping students make the most of their college experience with step-by-step guides on how to choose a school, apply to college, and succeed on campus. ULS also offers college scholarships and information for students who want to study abroad. In addition, ULS has provided the translation of academic transcripts, diplomas and personal documents in more than 150 languages since 1983. Connect with ULS on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
The post looks great! Thanks again for the opportunity, Suzanne.
Always happy to have you guest post on my blog. You provide great content!
Great post, Polina! While I didn’t study abroad during college, I’ve traveled quite a bit, and there’s nothing like immersing yourself in a different culture. It helps expand your worldview and also to learn quite about yourself and how you adapt to new, unfamiliar situations. These are great benefits that I would highly recommend students take advantage of if they have the opportunity!
You’re right Jeff. My daughter had the opportunity to study abroad twice while in college. It was an experience she often talks about AND look great on her resume after graduation.
do you have any suggestions for study abroad for a high school student? my daughter, a sophomore, is currently studying Spanish and is really enjoying her studies. Do these expensive summer programs provide a worthwhile experience? thank you!
There are several high school study abroad programs. Go to http://www.studyabroad.com and look for high school programs.
As far as knowing whether or not they are worth the money, I don’t have personal experience. However, my daughter’s friend studied abroad during high school in Ecuador and loved it. I would believe that it would be a beneficial experience.
One of the websites you can link to from studyabroad.com allows you to chat with someone. I would definitely do that!
Good luck!