| International experiences - especially long-term experiences such as a semester or year abroad - provide lasting benefits that shape an individuals life both personally and professionally. Beyond the obvious reasons to study abroad such as opportunities to see the world and experience other cultures, there are true benefits to those experiences. Personal Growth - Language aquisition or improvement
- Understanding of your personal heritage
- Understanding of your own culture and values
- Increased independence and self reliance
- Increase self confidence
- Enhanced academic interest
Check out these articles about study abroad's affect on personal growth How to Raise a Global Kid - Newsweek, July 18, 2011 Study abroad may lead to better GPA - USA Today Survey: Study abroad heightens global engagement - University of Minnesota A powerful lesson of study abroad: Self Reliance Professional Growth - Develop leadership skills
- Advance your career
- Stand out amongst other graduates with skills that can only be gained through international experience
- Cross cultural communication
Check out these articles on professional growth through international experience: How A Job Abroad Can Give Your Career A Big Boost - Forbes Magazine Studying abroad is a gateway to better careers Student lands job at Apple because of study abroad experience Rick Steves: Study abroad is a necessity, not luxury
What Business People Have to Say about the Value of Study Abroad "International education ignites a passion for understanding other people and their perspectives. That's one important benefit to working or studying abroad - and it's essential to success in our increasingly diverse world. Students with international exposure come to understand the value of dialogue between people from different cultures and between people with different points of view. They also gain an understanding of the importance of relationships. Relationships are the foundation for meaning and success in life. They are also the foundation for strong businesses, especially businesses that care about creating mutual benefit." Douglass H. Daft
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
The Coca Cola Company
Learn more about why you should study abroad: http://www.globaled.us/now/whystudyabroadintro.html The U.S. Government Thinks you Should Study Abroad "Studying abroad isn't just an important part of a well-rounded educational experience. It's also becoming increasingly important for success in the modern global economy." - Michelle Obama, January 19, 2011 First Lady Michelle Obama spoke on the campus of Howard University on January 19, 2011 about the 100,00 Strong China Study Abroad Initiative. Citing the strategic importance of the U.S.-China relationship, in November 2009, President Barack Obama announced the “100,000 Strong” initiative, a national effort designed to increase dramatically the number and diversify the composition of American students studying in China. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton officially launched the initiative in May 2010 in Beijing. The Chinese government strongly supports the initiative and has already committed 10,000 “Bridge Scholarships” for American students to study in China.
This initiative seeks to prepare the next generation of American experts on China who will be charged with managing the growing political, economic and cultural ties between the United States and China. The initiative also seeks to develop specific opportunities and funding sources for underrepresented students to study in China. Learn more about this initiative at: http://www.state.gov/p/eap/regional/100000_strong/index.htm "When you study abroad, you are actually helping make America stronger." - Michelle Obama, January 19, 2011 Read what else the US Government says about why you should study abroad> |