Why study abroad? You make be thinking “I’m just trying to finish college, money is tight, and study abroad is a luxury. Besides, I don’t want to miss anything at my school or leave my family and friends to go study abroad.”

Many former study abroad students have thought the same. Most will now say that study abroad isn’t a luxury, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity you can’t afford to miss.

Besides being fun and exciting, study abroad is a unique life changing experience that will help you grow academically, personally and prepare you for your career.

Learn about the benefits of study abroad:

Experience another culture. Learn inside and outside the classroom. See historical monuments, works of art in person. Experience academic system of another culture/country (especially with direct enroll).

When you study abroad your education grows exponentially faster than if you stay home. You live and learn in your host culture 24/7. Your experience will translate into tangible benefits later in life.

Earn College Credit Abroad

Study Abroad Grad School Benefits

Learn a Foreign Language Abroad

Earn College Credit Abroad:

Colleges and universities will grant you academic credit* for the classes taken when you study abroad. That lets you pursue global education exchange opportunities without delaying your graduation date.

Consult your study abroad or academic adviser before choosing classes

It’s difficult to receive credit for classes taken abroad that were not approved beforehand. Consult your school’s study abroad adviser prior to leaving to determine which classes will give you credit toward your degree.

Study Abroad Grad School Benefits:

Acceptance into graduate school is competitive. Studying or interning abroad will give you a competitive advantage when applying to a graduate school. When you study abroad, you gain many skills, such as:

By studying abroad you show initiative and eagerness to achieve personal and academically challenging experiences. Study abroad also highlights your ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds—experience invaluable in graduate school.

Learn a Foreign Language Abroad

Whether you want to perfect French in Senegal, learn Hindi in India, or sharpen your English in England, studying abroad will help you reach your goal. The benefits to learning a foreign language abroad versus in the U.S. include:

By studying abroad you will benefit from many unique experiences unavailable at your home university. Such experiences include:

Today’s job market for graduating students is extremely competitive. You’re not only competing for jobs with students from your university or your country; you’re competing with students from across the world. A study abroad experience on your resume will distinguish you from your peers. Through your experiences you will develop qualities employers value, such as:

Employers value work experience. A college internship gives you practical work experience while still in college. Beyond the benefits of a domestic internship, by interning abroad you will benefit from:

Regardless of your career path, a study abroad, intern abroad or other international exchange experience will better prepare you for the global economy. Be prepared to incorporate your study abroad experience on your resume and to talk about the skills you’ve gained from study abroad when you go for interviews.

For many students study abroad is life-changing experience. Students come back from study abroad more independent, confident and eager to take on any challenge, academic, professional or personal. There are many personal benefits to study abroad. Some of these benefits include:

Studying abroad is a challenge. Why?

Studying abroad is full of amazing experiences, from learning a new culture and language to making new friends from diverse ethnic and national backgrounds. In the end you, like most students, will return with a new sense of independence and more confidence. That will equip you to face challenges presented by the real world during college and in your professional career or during grad school.