Top 10 Major Advantages of Studying Abroad

Getting a chance to live in a new country, study at a great university, and experience a different way of life whilst getting a worthwhile degree are all obvious benefits of studying abroad.

Top 10 Major Advantages of Studying Abroad

But many ways are studying abroad can benefit you without you even realizing it! Here are our top 10:

1. It opens up a world of possibilities (literally)
2. It helps your language skills
3. Personal growth
4. It makes you more appealing to employers
5. Widens your graduate opportunities
6. It allows you to experience a different culture
7. It enables you to make international friends
8. Improves academic focus
9. It gives you higher life satisfaction
10. You’ll always have exciting stories to tell

1. Opens up a world of possibilities (literally)

When deciding where to go to university, only considering colleges in your home country can limit you. Perhaps you want to study a subject that isn’t widely covered where you’re from or learn a new language in the country where it is spoken.

By deciding to study abroad, you open the whole world to yourself! You’re no longer limited to the institutions in your home country and can pick the place that best matches your interests.

2. Helps your language skills

Whether you’re going abroad to study a language or not, chances are you’ll improve anyway. If you’re going to an English-speaking country, you’ll need to take an English language test to prove you already have a good standard of English before you arrive.

However, the best way to learn languages is always to immerse yourself in them, and there’s no better way to do this than to live in the country where that language is spoken!

You’ll pick up plenty of idioms and slang that you won’t be taught in a classroom and will undoubtedly improve markedly since your arrival in the country.

3. Personal growth

One of the biggest stereotypes about studying abroad is that it helps with personal development—and it’s totally true!

Leaving home to live in a new country is challenging and exciting, and it’s likely to push you out of your comfort zone. Keep going—these experiences will only make you stronger, more interesting, and more prepared for the challenges that life can throw at you.

Sometimes, being pushed outside our comfort zones is lovely – it can allow us to discover new hobbies and interests, meet new people, and become more confident.

4. Makes you more appealing to employers

This is a big one. Most people go to university to get a good job afterwards, right? Studying abroad will likely make you much more appealing to prospective employers. One study shows that 97% of students who studied abroad found employment within 12 months of graduation, compared to only 49% of average college graduates. That’s a huge difference and shows just how valuable studying abroad can make you!

5. Widens your graduate opportunities

Getting a visa to certain countries like the USA and UK can be challenging. However, if you’re a student, many countries run schemes that allow you to stay on post-graduation and search for work.

For example, if you’re a student in the UK, you can apply for a post-study work visa, which allows you to stay in the country for up to two years.

Even if you don’t know if you want to stay in your destination country after studying there, it’s a great way to keep your options open. And if you do know where you want to move, then being a student can be a fantastic way to ensure you’ll be able to get a visa for a few more years.

6. Allows you to experience a different culture

Everywhere is different, and understanding the customs and norms in other countries can be necessary if you want to become an invaluable employee.

Besides, learning about new cultures is incredibly interesting! Try to step out of your comfort zone, and you’ll find that you enjoy some things you’d never thought about before.

7. Helps you make international friends

Another great way that studying abroad can benefit you and help you learn more about different cultures is by introducing you to people from all over the world.

Chances are you won’t be the only international student in your halls or on your course. Making friends with other international students reminds you that you are not alone and gives you a precious opportunity to connect with people worldwide. You never know when having a friend in China, India, Australia, or elsewhere could be helpful!

8. Improves academic focus

A Montclair State University study found that students who studied abroad generally had better academic focus when they returned to their home country.

The study suggests that students learn to value their education more while abroad, meaning that they make better, more productive decisions when they return. It’s hard to know precisely why this happens, but it can only be a good thing.

9. Gives you higher life satisfaction

Another study found that students who studied abroad generally had higher life satisfaction than those who did not.

Getting a new perspective on life through attending university in a different country allows many students to feel more content with their life experiences. Students also said they came back with higher self-competence and personal change.

10. You’ll always have exciting stories to tell

If one thing is sure, studying abroad gives you some unique experiences you won’t stop discussing!

Whether you choose to travel extensively while you’re there, immerse yourself in a new activity, or meet a great new group of friends, studying abroad gives you experiences that you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.

Plus, people in your home country will likely always be excited by your stories about another country and culture, especially if they haven’t been able to visit themselves!

So what are you waiting for? Look at Edvoy’s course finder now and find the study abroad programme that suits you!