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Whatever course you’re taking, studying abroad may be a great learning experience. From getting more career opportunities to enhancing one’s personality, studying abroad offers plenty of benefits. Because of this, many students participate in exchange programs in and out of the US.
Between the academic years 2016 and 2017, statistics showed a steady increase in the number of students choosing to study abroad. However, by the 2019-2020 academic year, participation rates saw a sharp decline. According to recent data, U.S. institutions reported a 90% drop in international student enrollment for the 2020-2021 academic year, largely due to travel restrictions.
Despite these setbacks, there is renewed optimism as global travel resumes. A survey revealed that approximately 52% of prospective students remain interested in studying abroad, eager to pursue this transformative experience as opportunities become more accessible.
How exactly does studying out of the country change one’s life?
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Broadening career opportunities
Studying abroad impresses future employers. Going to a different place with a different set of cultures shows confidence and adaptability. It also shows that this person has an open mind and resourcefulness to cope in a different environment.
According to research, more than half of employers expressed that having experience abroad is essential. Most of these employers believe that those who study abroad have transferable skills useful in performing the job. In general, employers believe that those with experience in different settings other than their natural environment have a lot to offer.
Other companies have found that they failed to take advantage of international business opportunities because of a lack of employees who have experience abroad. Therefore, having a degree obtained abroad is an excellent resume booster and gives an edge over the competition.
Moreover, studying abroad may also give you opportunities to pursue your field in that country. Additionally, other international companies will more likely hire those who have already proven that they can thrive in a culturally diverse environment.
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Practicing language skills
Some say that the best way to pick up conversational skills for another language is by chatting with locals. Studying and living abroad will force you to do so; it is more effective than practicing in an app that may not offer you the best conversational examples.
As they say, learning happens not only in the classroom but also in the real world. Moreover, talking to locals in the area helps you practice the language more frequently and apply it to daily living. Additionally, some languages have formal and informal versions, and speaking with the local people teaches which one is more applicable in a particular situation.
Knowing another language can be an impressive detail in your resume, too. Some international companies are looking for people who know other languages to help them with international customers and transactions. A second language is especially helpful in the world of global health, international business, diplomacy, and international relations.
Whatever course you're taking, studying abroad may be a great learning experience. From getting more career opportunities to enhancing one's personality, studying abroad offers plenty of benefits. Click To TweetBroadening one’s perspective
By being exposed to different cultures, one’s perspective is widened. You see your culture from a different point of view, and you can compare it to another country’s culture and traditions. For instance, if you’re in the BA program for Psychology, your country’s perspective regarding this course might differ from another country. Through this, one can develop their own opinion and not be trapped by what their culture dictates.
Your level of comfort in working with different kinds of people is enhanced, too. This is highly beneficial once you work in an international company. Using the experience you learned as a student, you get to understand your colleagues in the workplace. People across cultures express themselves differently, and you will get a glimpse of this once you study in a culturally diverse school.
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Exposing to different teaching styles
Different countries have different styles of teaching; some schools have an authority style, a facilitator style, or a delegator style. An authority style puts the professor or lecturer as the authority figure. It usually has a one-way presentation where students listen and take note of the presented information.
Meanwhile, a facilitator style focuses on the teacher-student relationship. Through this style, the teacher explores and finds solutions to problems with the students. On the other hand, a delegator style is a style where the teacher assigns projects and activities to keep students engaged.
Being exposed to these different teaching styles expands a student’s capability to adjust to different learning situations; it also serves as a practice for various management styles they may experience in the workplace.
Gaining an extraordinary life experience
Not everybody is given a chance to study abroad. If you get the opportunity to do so, grab it. It is an exceptional life experience that lets you explore what you can do beyond what you can imagine.
Studying abroad pushes you out of your comfort zone, challenges you, lets you meet new people, and more importantly, lets you discover a new version of yourself.
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