While academic advancement and better career prospects are the key benefits of studying abroad, the experience brings with it many other life changing encounters, opportunities and skills. Studying in a foreign country can be your chance to experiencing new cultures, making new friends and personal growth in ways you never thought were possible! Still wondering why you should consider studying abroad? Read on!
1. Exposure to the world, new cultures and friends
Studying abroad is an excellent opportunity to globalize yourself. Every year, international universities welcome students from all over the world who bring in their culture, languages, stories and a lot more to learn from! This is a chance to indulge in a new lifestyle, expose yourself to the world and figure out where you fit in. It is also an opportunity to make lifelong friends and build a professional global network. You will be breathing in the norms, traditions and distinct cultural perspectives of another nation. Such a fascinating experience to take in!
2. Challenge yourself
Challenges make a hefty part of the whole experience of studying abroad. Being out of one’s comfort zone may bring along a number of forces to reckon with. There will be times when you will be hit and torn by the menacing homesickness, living in a new unfamiliar setting and budgeting. However, in time, you will triumph over these hurdles and then life will have a hard time managing to bother you with anything else because you will have ‘been there, done that’! You will come out as a wiser, stronger person who will be ready to squeeze and shake all the good and hard lemons life throws at you.
3. Learn new languages
Developing and learning new languages is also another plus of studying abroad. As an international student, you will have the perfect opportunity to hone your language skills either by studying or by picking up while communicating with locals. Additional language skills are always an asset.
4. Become independent and broaden your horizon
Studying abroad means being on your own completely. You will need to cope with all the challenges and take care of yourself. This will not only make you independent but will also help you grow on a personal level. The experiences of living abroad will open your mind to new perspectives and give you an opportunity to analyze and look at certain issues from a broader viewpoint. You will start thinking objectively from a worldwide perspective. You will learn how you can introduce the world to your culture and how it fits in the world from the eyes of another society. Most importantly, you will learn the art of blending in wherever you go.
5. A step closer towards your dream career
It is no secret that studying abroad is guaranteed to give you better career prospects. The experience will serve as a learning ground to prepare for their future careers. You will be gaining knowledge and expertise in an international environment and be better equipped to handle situations in a global professional setting. Studying abroad is an impressive mark on the CV and will also give you something to talk about during job interviews. It proves that you are a strong independent individual who has initiative, can take a challenge and work in different environments. You might find a great career opportunity in the host country or return to your own country with a broader vision and an impressive foreign degree that will give you an edge over other job seeking candidates.
6. Travel
Travelling is a huge reason to consider studying abroad. It is an opportunity to discover new places, customs and people within your host country. Also, you need not limit yourself to one country. Quite often, there are excellent student discounts that can be availed to travel around and explore neighboring countries.
7. Enroll into advance study programs and study further
An international degree is very highly looked upon by graduate schools and can significantly increase your chances of pursuing your education at other world class institutions. Graduate schools prefer students who have a history of studying abroad because such students carry a promise of commitment, display diversity and also ensure that they are not afraid of challenges.
8. Once in a lifetime experience
For most students, studying abroad is their first ever experience of travelling abroad. It is a once in a life time experience that will stay with you forever in more ways than you can imagine.
Studying abroad will be an experience to cherish forever. Take the opportunity to learn without barriers and constructively shape your life.