Living and studying overseas can help broaden your cultural, intellectual, career, and personal horizons.
College and high school students can choose from hundreds of academic programs, volunteer opportunities, and internships.
Programs can last a semester, a summer, a school year, or a few weeks. As we move to a more global economy, this is a perfect time to consider studying abroad.
With some research and planning, any student can afford to study abroad.
Find answers to study abroad questions
Federal financial aid can often be applied toward study abroad. Check with your school's financial aid office.
Study abroad programs aren't just for foreign language majors. Many disciplines — even engineering and the sciences — recognize the value of international study.
Benefits
You can develop real competitive advantages over students who never venture abroad to study, including:
- Improved foreign language skills.
- A more cosmopolitan, international perspective.
- Greater tolerance for other opinions.
- Ability to think more originally and to see more than one perspective on an issue.
- Greater self-reliance and self-confidence.
Career benefits
International experience benefits those seeking careers in almost any field. In fact, employers often recognize skills that are acquired overseas.
Cite your studies abroad on your resume. In job interviews, you can discuss how your overseas experience made you more independent, responsible, organized, and innovative.
Other benefits
- Friendships and contacts you develop overseas allow you to understand views other than your own. These friendships, both with locals and students from other programs, can serve as future networking opportunities.
- You can make a difference in everyday lives. Some study abroad programs offer social and community outreach programs. For example, you might have the opportunity to teach refugees or the underprivileged to read and write.
