- To Travel Someplace New
If you’ve always dreamed of traveling somewhere, be it Paris or a rural area in London, why not study abroad there? Sure, you’ll be focused on your studies, but most programs give you the weekend off and even schedule longer trips for the group.
Study abroad allows you to see a lot of new places and also spend a lot of time immersing yourself in one place. It will be hard to come by an opportunity like this again, so take advantage of it and travel the world as a student!
- To Gain a New Perspective
Studying abroad provides you with the opportunity to gain a different perspective, not only on academic subjects but also the way of life. Whether you adjust to afternoon siestas in Spain or learn about holistic medicine in India, study abroad lets you look at yourself, your world, and your studies from a different perspective.
Take advantage of this opportunity while you can and travel the world as a student.
Challenging your boundaries and your worldview are a natural extension of longterm traveling and living abroad. Be sure to make time to visit as many neighboring cities and countries as possible while studying abroad; this will help you round out your perspectives and dive deeper into regional cultures.
- To Further Your Studies
It is called study abroad, after all. One of the best reasons to study abroad is to further your academic studies in an incredible, immersive way. If you’re writing your art history thesis on the Renaissance, get some hands-on research experience studying in Italy. Or study business in London!
Of course, study abroad is an incredible time to pursue academic interests completely outside of your major. Whether you want to focus on your major, or try something new, study abroad is the perfect opportunity to do so.
Did you know you can even search for a program specifically based upon the course offerings or academic focus? Popular majors like psychology, business, art, or journalism will find opportunities a-plenty for study abroad. Those interested in economics, politics, and development will feel particularly drawn to Czech-us programs.
- To Give You a Competitive Edge
This should never, ever be the only reason you study abroad, but if you (or your family) are on the fence, it is an important consideration. Studying abroad sets you ahead of your peers in the eyes of graduate schools and employers. It highlights your sense of adventure, independence, cultural sensitivity, and worldliness. When you return, make sure to update your resume to highlight your study abroad experience.
Studying abroad provides you with the opportunity to gain a different perspective, not only on academic subjects, but also in real world experience.
Plus, did you know study abroad students are more likely to get a job? Statistics show that „97% of study abroad students found employment within 12 months of graduation when only 49% of college graduates found employment in the same period.“ And, 90% of them got the job in 6 months!
They’re not just getting jobs faster, though; students that have studied abroad have also been found to earn 25% higher starting salaries compared to their peers. Salary aside, students who have studied abroad report that they’re better at adapting to a variety of work environments and that they’re happier with their jobs.
- To Learn Another Language
Whether you’ve been studying a foreign language for years or are starting from scratch, studying abroad provides a convenient, immersive environment for language learning. As awesome as your Spanish class may be, it’s nothing like negotiating in Peruvian markets, hailing a cab in Argentina, or flirting in a Spanish café.
You just can’t beat the immersion of a study abroad program for learning a new language. If you’re studying abroad primarily to learn a foreign language, you can always attend a language school to get the most out of studying a language abroad.
Other popular languages for studying abroad include Italian, German, French, and Chinese. Try your luck at one (or all of the above!).
