For lots of us, going to university is the first time we’ll live apart from our parents and away from our hometown. University life is exciting. It gives us independence, freedom, and it also allows us to earn some new life skills that we’ll be able to use throughout the rest of our lives.
However, while going to university is exciting, in order to get the most out of your university experiences, you may need to consider traveling further afield than your local campus. One option you could consider is studying abroad.
Studying abroad provides you with a unique opportunity to grow personally, professionally, and academically while having a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are lots of benefits of studying abroad, but there are also a few challenges that you’ll need to consider, including how much it will cost and whether there will be a language barrier. But don’t let these small things put you off.
Here are some of the main reasons why you should consider studying abroad:
1. You’ll Impress Future Employers
Many students are under the impression that studying abroad hampers their career opportunities, but in actual fact it’s quite the opposite. In actual fact, 90% of students who study abroad find employment within 6 months of graduating from university compared to just 49% of normal university graduates.
If you’re a student who’s interested in becoming a teacher and you want to impress your future employers, then why not consider studying for a masters in education distance learning at the University of Exeter. No matter where you live or where you choose to study, this course could be perfect for you. This online program is designed to give you the skills you need to succeed in a range of educational contexts and is suited to students from a diverse range of professional, subject and career backgrounds. So, if you’re made in the USA and you want to start a program abroad, why not check this one out?
2. You Get to Travel the World
This is one of the most obvious benefits of studying abroad. Living in a foreign country while you’re at university allows you to travel and explore like never before. In fact, many of the overseas programs come complete with field trips and excursions built into them. And, even if the one you’re interested in doesn’t, you’ll be surrounded by other study abroad students who will be willing to explore the area with you. This means you’ll never be short of a travel buddy or two.
Not only do study abroad students get the opportunity to explore the country they’re studying in, but many of them also choose to spend their spare time travelling to other countries too. You could use your holidays or weekends to travel to new and exciting destinations around the world.
3. Improve Your Language Skills
Studying abroad can give you the opportunity to learn a new foreign language or improve your fluency in a language you’re already familiar with. Having native speakers around you gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the language. This can help you to become more fluent and improve your retention.
4. Experience a New Culture
Often, the best way to learn about other cultures and religions is to immerse yourself in them. One of the best ways to do this is by living in another country. Studying abroad is a brilliant opportunity for you to learn about an area. You will be able to spend time understanding and learning about how other people live and what they believe.
5. Make Friends Around the World
The majority of universities that offer international studies will have a large community of students from both the local area and from other areas around the world. Many students find that by studying abroad, they make friends with people from all around the world. This is brilliant if you want to travel in the future or if you want to set up an international business.
6. You’ll Be Independent
Lots of us find going to university a steep learning curve in gaining independence. But, choosing to study abroad takes this to a whole new level. Students have to learn to develop as individuals in order to succeed and survive. Being part of an internationally diverse academic community can also improve the quality of your learning, giving you a larger spectrum of expertise and opinions.
Whether you’re considering studying abroad or you’re trying to convince your parents to pick up the bill, it’s important to understand the benefits of studying in a different country. Whichever program you choose to study, it will likely improve your life in a number of different ways. From making lifelong friendships to higher salaries, there are many benefits of studying abroad. Why not start looking for your dream course today?
Photo credit: Photo by Avi Waxman on Unsplash.
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