How can studying abroad benefit you? Highlighted below are 10 different areas of positive growth or experiences you'll gain by moving abroad for your higher education. 

Become more self-sufficient

Studying abroad pushes you to become more independent. By living alone for the first time, you'll realize how self-sufficient you become by doing this on your own in a foreign place. ⁣⁣Suddenly, it's not just about school, but about finding time to cook for yourself, do your laundry, make sure you're up for class, and all the other things you might have taken for granted living at home. These responsibilities help prepare you for adulthood and make the transition that much easier as you get older. ⠀ ⠀ ⁣⠀ 

Discover other cultures

Everything is different when you're abroad! You'll meet new people, uncover a new way of life, and a new culture! With our society becoming more and more global, these experiences will make you a better employee, student, and global citizen. ⁣Learning about new cultures can help you avoid misunderstanding and embarrassment. This is a valuable skill not only in the workplace but also in daily life. It can also broaden your horizons. It is an excellent way to absorb new information and view things from different perspectives. ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ 

Attract attention from organizations you want to work for

You'll emerge from a crowd of applicants with the valuable skills you gain while studying abroad, and organizations will take notice. More than 90% of employers seek transversal skills such as curiosity, problem-solving skills, tolerance, and confidence (all gained through study abroad!). 64% of employers think international experience is essential for recruitment and say graduates with international backgrounds are given greater professional responsibility. 

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Expand your education outside of the classroom

How exciting would it be to go on-site to ancient ruins as an archelogy student instead of only reading about it in a textbook? It doesn't matter what field you pursue; a new country will uncover new directions to seek your passions or allow you to investigate new ones. ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ 

Learn more about yourself 

When you step outside of your comfort zone, you'll experience personal growth. ⁣You'll be in a new environment without the same influences and comforts you had at home. Take this opportunity to find out what motivates you, what your fears are, and how to overcome them, and as a result, find out what your true strengths are. 

Travel like an expert 

Studying abroad will provide you with the invaluable skill of traveling like an expert, which all global citizens should know how to do. ⁣Traveling and being in a new country also provide cultural sensitivity, a global perspective, intercultural communication, cross-cultural communication, and global awareness.⠀ ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ 

Expand your network 

Putting yourself out there can be terrifying at first, but then the rewards are endless. By pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you may realize how much you have in common with someone who lives across the world. ⠀ ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ 

Soak up a new language

Adding a skill like becoming bilingual is such an exciting experience and one that is necessary in today's diverse world! Even if you're learning the basics, you're still exercising a part of your brain and connecting to people in different parts of the world. ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ 

Go on new adventures

Whether hiking a mountain or trying new food, you're exposing yourself to new things you wouldn't be able to at home. ⁣Absorb as much as you can within this new environment as this adventure sets you up for incredible stories to share with friends and family for a lifetime!⠀ ⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ 

Bring all these new skills home with you 

Reverse culture shock is real! But those emotions mean you've changed and grown with a new set of skills and experiences. ⁣Embrace it and be proud of all your personal growth. ⠀ ⁣⠀ 

𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦: 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.𝘤𝘰𝘮