Getting a degree in a foreign land is not just another fancy trend. It can open up a whole different world of opportunities and boost your chances of success. Studying abroad creates the opportunity to land a high-paying job anywhere in the world and helps you level up your personality and skills immensely.
But that is not all, so let’s dive deep into the perks of studying abroad and how it can boost your resume.
Does studying abroad make a difference?
Research shows that students who study abroad or participate in international programs have been shown to improve in academic performance. They are exposed to diverse academic experiences and acquire a global perspective.
According to UCMerced, 97% of international students were employed within a year of graduating. Furthermore, UK research points out that international students are more likely to be employed within six months of returning to their home country. Another UK study found that international graduates earned a higher pay than their peers by 17%. This equates to £3,120 for UK students and approx. $7,000 annually for US students.
So, if we look at it, studying abroad stands to help international students gain a higher edge over their peers. Let’s explore the various possibilities and understand how you can boost your career and gain a global edge.
1. Global exposure to job opportunities
Getting a degree in your home country limits your opportunities substantially. Landing an international job in a reputed company is an achievable goal, not a far-fetched dream when you get an education abroad. You get access to employers worldwide when you study in a foreign country through your internships and placements. You get to be a part of networking events where you get the opportunity to showcase your skills and talents to employers worldwide.
2. Unparalleled language skills
The world is becoming increasingly interconnected by the day, and having a command over multiple languages will give you a competitive edge like nothing else. Foreign universities focus on teaching different languages to their students, like Russian, German, French, etc. You will also master the art of effective communication by studying abroad. The colleges abroad pay a lot of attention to teaching their students presentation skills. Employers abroad consider a candidate knowing different languages an asset for their companies since these companies have an international client base.
3. Studying abroad adds more credentials to your academic credentials
When you study at a reputed foreign university, your degree automatically is considered more credentialed. It is more valued by potential employers compared to getting a degree from a local college in your hometown. Universities abroad emphasize teaching real-world skills and personality-building to their students. The degrees from reputed foreign universities have a curriculum that is more comprehensive, practical and research-oriented. You get access to in-depth learning of a subject and a practical understanding of concepts. Employers worldwide are aware of this, and having a foreign degree on your resume increases your chances massively of cracking a lucrative job offer.
4. Abroad education focuses more on practical skill development
Most foreign universities have a curriculum focused on teaching real-world practical skills to their students that they will use in their jobs after completing their degrees. The questions set are mostly case-study based, which gives you a scope to apply your knowledge rather than rigid, theoretical learning. Skill-based learning is a high priority for foreign universities. It is especially crucial for specialized courses that involve a lot of research. Thus, a degree from a foreign university prepares you thoroughly not just for job interviews but also for excelling at your job when you land an offer.
5. Better personality development
Be it participating in extracurriculars or making new friends in a foreign country, every new experience while studying abroad shapes your personality. You learn from and interact with professors all over the world, which opens up you to fresh perspectives and a better worldview. When you collaborate with students from across the globe, it automatically adds a lot to your personality. You become more independent, a better communicator, a problem solver, and a multitasker, and constantly grow and evolve throughout your learning journey. It is especially important for cracking international job interviews since corporations hire based on personality rather than theoretical knowledge.
6. Opportunity to build a global network
The most crucial benefit on this list is undoubtedly this one. As a student now, and later on as a professional, having a global network will be your biggest asset and strength. Developing strong connections with people already working in your field can take you places and open doors you did not even imagine. Global universities conduct networking events for their students where you can meet and interact with professionals acting in the industry you aspire to work in. You will get the opportunity to learn from them and also get noticed as potential employees. You can even get collaboration opportunities with some of the sharpest minds in the world if you can come up with innovative ideas and showcase your knowledge.
7. Studying abroad makes you compatible with all work cultures
Studying abroad makes you a true global citizen in every sense. You get exposure to different cultures early on, which opens your mind and makes you more accepting of different mindsets. You also develop expertise in interacting with people from multiple backgrounds and solving conflicts with them. You adapt to diverse languages, lifestyles, perspectives, etc. It makes you stand out as a valuable potential employee in front of hiring managers. International companies have employees and clients from across the world, so anyone who can thrive in a cosmopolitan environment is an asset to them.
8. You are better prepared for multitasking
Studying abroad requires you to handle multiple responsibilities apart from just preparing your academic curriculum, such as managing household work, working part-time occasionally to fund your expenses, and all while navigating the complex challenges of living in a foreign city. It adds a lot of character and dimension to your personality. You become an organized and efficient multitasker. You learn to handle different tasks at once, which makes you a “dream employee” of growing companies. Companies, especially in the fastest growing stages, require employees with good time management skills. So an abroad education experience can make your resume more attractive to employers.
9. You develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Foreign education helps you develop better problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which are the most sought-after skills by international employers. It does so not only through its educational curriculum, which broadly focuses on sharpening these skills but also through real-life situations. When you are trying to not only survive but also thrive academically in a foreign land, you encounter unique challenges that you have to solve on your own without any help. It makes your problem-solving skills much better and strengthens your critical-thinking skills.
10. Your resume stands out better to the employer
A foreign education degree can highlight your resume to potential employers more than anything else. It gives an impression to companies that you are serious and passionate about your field and learning about it. Studying abroad also automatically adds a list of soft skills to your resume. It makes you a goldmine for potential employers. Employers feel more confident about your skills and are more likely to hire you. Foreign universities also provide extensive guidance and training to their students on tailoring a perfect resume that highlights their skills, accomplishments, strengths, etc.
11. Your leadership and management skills are enhanced
When you go to a new country and build your life from scratch, you enhance your leadership skills. From being on top of all the planning and organization to executing every plan, you are in charge of settling in a new country. There are a hundred different things on your mind when you move abroad for your education. From finding part-time jobs to budgeting to figuring out the grocery store in your locality, you take responsibility for every aspect of your life. It makes you a better leader and improves your management skills significantly. If you can highlight these strengths on your resume, it can make you stand out in front of your potential employer.
12. You are perceived as more independent
Studying abroad makes you more independent and self-reliant than ever. You have to take responsibility and manage everything on your own, be it your finances, academics, nutrition or anything else. You have to solve last-minute emergencies on your own, and you have to figure out all the different processes involved in staying in a foreign country by yourself. You have to make adjustments in your life and think on your feet. You develop better resilience and composure while facing new challenges. Potential employers value these skills a lot since they display your ability and willingness to learn, grow and adapt to unfamiliar situations, such as changes to the company’s hierarchical structure or functioning.
How can you include your abroad education experience on your resume effectively?
Here are some tips and strategies you can follow to tailor your resume in a way that highlights your abroad learning experience:
- Reflect on your abroad education experience and think about what additional skills and interests you developed during the period relevant to the job you are applying for. For instance, if you are applying for a marketer role at a travel company, you can include any blog or social media page where you have recounted all your travel experiences on your resume.
- In the experience section, you can list all the seminars, courses, workshops, mentorship programs and internships you attended during your abroad learning years. You can even add any part-time jobs you have worked during your abroad education years if the jobs are relevant to the field you are applying for.
- In the skills section, mention not only your technical skills but also the numerous soft skills you have developed from studying in a foreign country. Studying in a foreign country develops different skills in individuals like language skills, communication skills, team collaboration skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, resilience, independence etc. Include all these soft skills on your resume to make a better impression on employers.
Studying abroad makes you a better-rounded individual with the skills necessary to land a well-paying gig in a foreign company. It takes you out of the comfort zone of your home country and aids in your professional and personal growth. Foreign education can be a once-in-a-lifetime transformative experience that helps you create the life you want.