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Studying abroad immerses you in a new culture – this means adjusting to a different language, food, customs, landmarks and so much more!
At first, traveling can be daunting and unfamiliar – read on for advice on navigating a foreign culture and making the most out of your experience!
1. You’ll learn a new language
At first, your study abroad experience may seem intimidating due to language differences. With time though, you will quickly adapt and learn how to use these foreign languages effectively to get things done – ordering food at restaurants, reading advertisements pinned around town and talking with locals are just some of the activities that await you!
Language learning can help you better comprehend a culture and integrate yourself into it, while broadening your worldview and giving you more nuanced views of humanity, geopolitics, environment and other topics – one of the key skills gained through study abroad experience.
Dependent upon where you go, learning a whole new set of words could become necessary. This could be part of your program requirements or optional; regardless, learning a foreign language forces you out of your comfort zone and forces you to try new things while providing vital life experience for adaptability in different situations.
Study in an institution known for excellence in your field. Doing so allows you to meet leading experts in your area while also gaining invaluable work experience that could boost your career prospects and make job applications stand out from the competition.
Are You Curious About Study Abroad Opportunities? Australia or Europe offer endless natural beauty to explore; not to mention hiking up mountains of either. When studying abroad, the possibilities become limitless! You might just discover a passion for hiking, skiing, golfing and other outdoor activities that you would have never tried otherwise back home.
2. You’ll experience a new culture
One of the greatest joys of studying abroad is experiencing new cultures. Meeting people from diverse backgrounds and understanding their customs can be truly eye-opening, showing you all of the possible paths towards living a fuller life. Studying abroad also strengthens cross-cultural communication skills – which are increasingly necessary in our globalized world.
Adjusting to a new culture takes time, and may include periods of frustration or isolation. Although these feelings are normal, one way you can overcome them is by learning as much about its culture before traveling there – speaking with fellow students who have studied there or researching customs and norms online is helpful for this purpose.
Studying abroad allows you to see and explore more than just local culture. From weekend visits to nearby cities to extended excursions during semester or year-long programs, your time abroad offers you an unparalleled experience of traveling the globe and meeting people from various corners. By meeting like-minded people from various corners of the globe and broadening your horizons through new friendships from around the globe you can broaden your worldview while opening doors for future international career opportunities.
Seaver College International Programs offers educational field trips to many different countries worldwide, including Cyprus, Israel and Spain. On these journeys students meet local leaders and experts as well as engage in community service projects. Furthermore, learning about historic sites will only make you stronger personally and professionally! Embark on an adventure! Your life is only temporary so make the most out of every momentous experience you encounter!
3. You’ll make new friends
Studying abroad offers wonderful opportunities for meeting new people and making lifelong relationships, from residence halls and apartment complexes to host families. Living in such environments will enable you to meet like-minded individuals quickly.
Meet locals and students from around the world through class group discussions, social events, cafe meetings and more – these relationships will broaden your perspective of our planet and its people.
Cities or countries renowned for their attractions provide the ideal setting to meet fellow travelers and share unique experiences, whether that means visiting the Louvre, taking cooking classes, exploring medinas or volunteering – shared interests make for lifelong friendships!
International students studying in cities renowned for their cultural offerings often select cities renowned for this aspect, and this can be an excellent way to meet like-minded individuals. Beyond sightseeing and other cultural activities, students may also connect with each other by joining an organization or club specializing in an area they find especially intriguing.
Remember, even with the best of intentions, relationships formed while studying abroad may not last beyond an initial short encounter. This is normal given the intense nature of studying abroad experiences and should not be seen as failures; email, Skype and other communications technologies make keeping in touch easier than ever; some relationships could even blossom into long-lasting and meaningful friendships over time!
4. You’ll gain a competitive edge
Studying abroad provides students with an incredible opportunity to expand their worldly perspectives by visiting universities outside their own. Studying abroad also makes a powerful statement about your open-mindedness, independence and willingness to accept challenging opportunities – qualities which future employers and graduate school admissions representatives may value in candidates.
Travel allows you to establish an expansive international network, both inside and outside of your classes. This can open doors to internships, jobs or even business partnerships in the future; not to mention providing incredible stories to share with family, friends and colleagues back home!
Living in a foreign country will test your problem-solving abilities to the limit and help you adjust to changing circumstances more easily. Furthermore, living abroad helps build resilience and self-reliance – two qualities highly sought-after by employers – which will prepare you for life after graduation when no two days will ever be the same.
Employers value adaptability and flexibility; by visiting different countries you will develop these qualities further and gain a deeper appreciation for their diverse cultures and peoples. You will become more empathetic towards others while opening yourself up more to different viewpoints – both qualities will set you apart as job candidates and help propel you toward career success! To maximize your experience while abroad consider enrolling in an international internship or volunteer project during your trip – your worldview may expand considerably!
5. You’ll challenge yourself
Studying abroad forces students to push themselves out of their comfort zones daily; from learning a foreign language and city layout, to understanding education systems in different nations. All of this experience helps foster self-confidence and independence as well as provide invaluable skills that translate directly to professional life.
Studying abroad is an integral part of college student life and increasingly sought-after by graduate students looking to hone their employability. Before making their decision to travel abroad and study, students should carefully assess their goals, program options, budget and travel needs before selecting their destination country or territory. But those who decide to embark on such an adventure will reap many rewards and take home invaluable memories!
Many students wish to study abroad in order to learn a foreign language fluently, while others may want to explore their ancestry or find long-lost relatives. With so many possibilities out there, if you are considering studying abroad it is wise to think carefully about your passions and find programs which cater towards these interests.
Studying abroad should not be taken as a vacation; rather, it’s an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in another culture and learn its customs, food, art, language values and traditions. Though challenging at times, this experience will allow you to become a well-rounded individual while making lasting friendships! With only one life to live – why not explore new lands by going abroad? No better way than study abroad!
