If you're asking yourself, “Should I study abroad?”, know that you're not alone. There are many reasons why studying abroad can be a life-changing experience. However, you also need to make sure that this decision aligns with your personal goals.
Is an international education right for you? If you still need convincing as to why study abroad programs are valuable, keep reading to discover why studying abroad can be so important for students.
Student Statistics: Why Study Abroad?
- 50% want to study abroad to reach career goals.
- 47% want to study abroad for personal development.
- 46% want to experience a new culture or way of life.
- 34% want access to higher-quality education.
Leaving your city and moving to a completely new environment is not always easy. However, stepping out of your comfort zone can be truly refreshing. Even during the most stressful moments such as homesickness, language barriers, or dealing with foreign currency, you will learn to adapt and discover what you’re really made of.
You Will Gain Valuable Travel Skills
Traveling well is truly a skill and one that all global citizens should have. Learning how to navigate a new city will make you more open to exploring new spaces in your everyday life.
You Will Expand Your Network
Studying abroad is a great way to make new friends. You may find that you have a lot in common with someone living in a completely different country. Whether you're connecting with someone from your own country or making friends with locals, expanding your network is great for your social life, career, and personal development.
You Can Learn New Languages
Learning a new language can be an exciting experience. You might have developed basic language skills in school, but being surrounded by the language and using it in everyday situations will improve your fluency significantly.
You Will Become More Independent
Whether it's your first time traveling abroad or your first time living alone, studying abroad encourages you to become more independent and self-sufficient. While there will be challenges, the reward is incredibly fulfilling. Students often say that studying abroad marks a major period of personal growth.
You Will Learn About Another Culture
Studying abroad will expose you to new people, a new lifestyle, and a new culture. Our society is more global than ever before, and these experiences will help you become a better student, employee, and person by exposing you to diverse perspectives.
You Will Stand Out to Future Employers
Studying abroad helps you gain valuable skills that employers notice. No matter your career path, your skills will grow stronger. Your background as an international student combined with your experience and potential job opportunities will make you stand out in both local and global job markets.
You Will Learn More About Yourself
Removing yourself from your comfort zone opens the door to a lot of personal development. Leaving your hometown and moving to a completely new place is not always easy, but it can truly be a path to growth.
The benefits of studying abroad go beyond academic and professional development. It also brings personal growth, self-discovery, and a broader worldview. Being exposed to new cultures, making new friends, and learning within a different education system will help you become a more independent, open-minded, and adaptable individual. The experience of studying abroad will provide you with valuable lessons and memories that will stay with you for life.
