Why Study Abroad?
1. Personal Growth
2. Global Perspective
3. Cultural Intelligence
4. Global Citizenship
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Skills you develop traveling:
Why Study Abroad?Students perspectives:
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Benefits of Studying Abroad - an interesting Survey:
Academic Attainment
- 87% of a recent academic survey claimed that studying abroad influenced subsequent educational experiences
- 86% Said that it reinforced commitment to foreign language study
- 80% Reported an enhanced interest in academic study
- 52% Attained graduate degrees; of those, 15% received a Ph.D, Ed.D, JD, or medical degree
Cultural Development
- 98% Reported that the study abroad experience helped them to better understand their own cultural values and biases
- 94% Stated that the experience continues to influence their interactions with people from different cultures
- 90% Said that studying abroad influenced them to seek out a greater diversity of friends
Career Impact
- 76% Reported that they acquired skill sets while studying abroad that influenced their career path
- 62% Said that studying abroad ignited an interest in a career direction pursued after the experience
- 48% Stated that they have worked internationally or participated in volunteer activities since studying abroad
Personal Growth
- 97% Reported that studying abroad served as a catalyst for increased maturity
- 96% Indicated that it increased self confidence
- 95% Stated that it has had a lasting impact on their world view
- 89% Said studying abroad enabled them to better tolerate ambiguity
Read more: "The Benefits of Studying Abroad" from IES Abroad.
Why Study Abroad?
Perhaps Rick Steves said it best: "I believe that our national security rests upon the foundation of a well-educated electorate with a broad and sophisticated worldview.
"Ninety-six percent of humanity lives outside our borders — and we risk being left in the dust if we don’t know how to effectively engage the world. It’s critical to deal smartly with the emerging economic and military powers of China and India, and we must better understand the intricacies of Islam.”
"There's a lot of fear in our society today. Students who travel learn that fear is for people who don’t get out much. And they learn that the flip side of fear is understanding. Travelers learn to celebrate, rather than fear, the diversity on our planet. Learning in a different culture and place allows us to see our own challenges in sharp contrast, and with more clarity, as we observe smart people in other lands dealing with similar issues."...
"Our world is one big, rapidly evolving marketplace. Employers crave graduates who are flexible, multilingual and comfortable in multicultural settings. Study abroad sharpens these skills and helps keep American workers competitive.
"Americans who want our next generation to be hands-on with the world — grappling constructively with international partners against daunting challenges that ignore political borders, working competitively in a globalized economy, and having enthusiasm rather than anxiety about other cultures and approaches to persistent problems — can get on board with the movement to help our students get a globalized education.
"... get a passport and see the world as a classroom. It’s good for America. And it’s fun."
Rick Steves: Study abroad is necessity, not luxury
"Ninety-six percent of humanity lives outside our borders — and we risk being left in the dust if we don’t know how to effectively engage the world. It’s critical to deal smartly with the emerging economic and military powers of China and India, and we must better understand the intricacies of Islam.”
"There's a lot of fear in our society today. Students who travel learn that fear is for people who don’t get out much. And they learn that the flip side of fear is understanding. Travelers learn to celebrate, rather than fear, the diversity on our planet. Learning in a different culture and place allows us to see our own challenges in sharp contrast, and with more clarity, as we observe smart people in other lands dealing with similar issues."...
"Our world is one big, rapidly evolving marketplace. Employers crave graduates who are flexible, multilingual and comfortable in multicultural settings. Study abroad sharpens these skills and helps keep American workers competitive.
"Americans who want our next generation to be hands-on with the world — grappling constructively with international partners against daunting challenges that ignore political borders, working competitively in a globalized economy, and having enthusiasm rather than anxiety about other cultures and approaches to persistent problems — can get on board with the movement to help our students get a globalized education.
"... get a passport and see the world as a classroom. It’s good for America. And it’s fun."
Rick Steves: Study abroad is necessity, not luxury
Benefits of learning languages:
"SPEAKING two languages rather than just one has obvious practical benefits in an increasingly globalized world. But in recent years, scientists have begun to show that the advantages of bilingualism are even more fundamental than being able to converse with a wider range of people. Being bilingual, it turns out, makes you smarter. It can have a profound effect on your brain, improving cognitive skills not related to language and even shielding against dementia in old age."
"The bilingual experience improves the brain’s so-called executive function — a command system that directs the attention processes that we use for planning, solving problems and performing various other mentally demanding tasks. These processes include ignoring distractions to stay focused, switching attention willfully from one thing to another and holding information in mind — like remembering a sequence of directions while driving." source: NY Times
"The bilingual experience improves the brain’s so-called executive function — a command system that directs the attention processes that we use for planning, solving problems and performing various other mentally demanding tasks. These processes include ignoring distractions to stay focused, switching attention willfully from one thing to another and holding information in mind — like remembering a sequence of directions while driving." source: NY Times
Why Study Abroad?
Here are some of our favorite resources: