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Attending an international university can be a valuable experience which not only furthers your education but also broadens your horizons and exposes you to new perspectives and ways of interacting. Whether you’re considering online graduate college courses or studying on-campus, an international university can provide you with the benefits of a global network, flexibility, and access to specialized programs that can enhance your future career prospects. In this article, we will look more closely at some of the advantages of studying at an international university.
Improved Language Skills
Pursuing a degree-level education in a foreign language requires a high level of language proficiency, which can be a demanding but enriching process. Through immersive learning, you can develop and improve your language skills, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing, ultimately leading to fluency.
By improving your communication skills, you can also open the door to greater career opportunities, including the potential to work abroad. In today’s globalized workforce, candidates who possess the ability to communicate effectively at home as well as internationally are highly valued by organizations as language skills are a valuable asset in the job market and can provide a competitive edge in many fields, such as international business, diplomacy, or sales and marketing.
Cultural Diversity
Studying internationally can offer you an advantage in the job market by helping you develop a skill set that is highly valued by employers. By interacting with students from diverse cultural backgrounds, you can broaden your perspective and gain a more worldly view which is particularly valuable in today’s globalized workforce, where cross-cultural communication and collaboration are increasingly important.
This cultural exposure is highly valued by employers, who seek candidates with an appreciation for cultural diversity. According to an Erasmus Impact Study, students who study abroad are more likely to gain managerial positions in their careers, indicating the value placed on international experience. Additionally, the study found that:
- Students demonstrated better employability skills after studying abroad compared to 70% of all students.
- Employers recognize the importance of international experience, with 64% of employers valuing it when recruiting.
- Employers value transversal skills such as openness to and curiosity about new challenges, problem-solving and decision-making skills, confidence, and tolerance towards other personal values and behaviors with 92% of employers indicating their importance.
The study also revealed that studying internationally can enhance soft skills, including the ability to interact and work with individuals from different cultures, adaptability, knowledge of other countries, foreign languages, and communication skills.
Earning Potential
Research suggests that studying at an international university can lead to higher earning potential after graduation. The “Gone International: Mobile students and their outcomes” study in the UK found that graduates who studied abroad earned more on average than those who didn’t.
The study analyzed the salary outcomes of students who spent time abroad during their degree and found that graduates who were mobile were earning more in 40 out of 67 subjects compared to their non-mobile peers. This indicated the advantages that studying abroad can have on students’ future career prospects and earning potential.
From greater cultural awareness to increased employability, studying at an international university can offer you a range of benefits both personally and professionally.
