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7 Employment Skills Gained from Studying Abroad

7 employment skills gained from studying abroad
Written by CB Community

One of the many opportunities young adults can take advantage of these days is to attend college in another country. Engaging in international study abroad programs allows students to become immersed in another culture and study in a different setting. Embarking on these types of programs, not only gives students the chance to gain international perspective on their education, but also helps to diversify their resume and build lifelong friendships and memories. Studying abroad allows student to gain various skills that boost their resumes. Let‘s look at some of the employment skills gained by studying abroad.

Listening skills

When studying abroad, the first thing you’ll learn is how to listen to others (especially if there is a new language involved). Good listening skills are a fundamental building block to success in many walks of life. It’s one thing to hear someone, but another to actually listen. Truly listening to someone is called active or reflective listening. Learn active listening and you will have a valuable skill that will reward you in your career and life in general.

Foreign Language Skills

Speaking another language improves your chances of being hired by a multinational company. It also opens the doors for working abroad and international travel opportunities within your career. Even learning one additional language can make a huge impact in your future. There are many great jobs for translators, ranging from phone support, essay writing and translation, as well as working for many multicultural banks. Studying abroad is a great way to open doors from a language perspective.

Cultural understanding

Studying abroad provides the opportunity to gain global skills by adjusting to a new culture, people, language, and cuisine. Graduates with international experience can easily pick up detailed knowledge of another country’s protocols, culture, and way of life. This can be especially beneficial to graduates interested in business, as this will provide them a unique perspective on the ever-evolving business culture of the 21st century.

Patience and Discipline

Moving to a new country requires you to take time to understand the new and foreign culture you’re living in. Often this means new rules, laws, and social norms to abide by. In turn, this teaches you to be patient and disciplined in many aspects of life. Patience is the key to a successful career, and discipline carries over into everything from staying organized at school, to self-management and time management skills.

Creative problem solving

Being outside of your comfort zone is one of the best places to be. Although it might not feel great, it’s often said that “if you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not learning”. Being outside your comfort zone can help you adopt soft skills like creative problem solving, a skill that potential employers love to see on their teams.

Networking

“It’s not WHAT you know, it’s WHO you”. We hear it all the time, and it definitely rings true. As you get out and meet new people in other countries, you never know what kind of relationship could blossom. Whether you need a referral for a job interview or just a place to crash when you’re on vacation, international relationships can come in handy down the road.
Get out and meet new people. With a little effort, it doesn’t take long to build a reputation of being friendly, interesting, or funny. As long as you put in some for networking, this skill will be very valuable in the future.

Maturity

Last but not least, maturity is one of the greatest assets to have on your side. The experiences you gain abroad will shape you and help you mature in ways you simply wouldn’t at home. Immaturity is a major turnoff for employers and can be one of the biggest downfalls for students fresh out of college. Taking the time to learn about yourself, grow, and mature will prove highly beneficial when embarking on your career path.

Graduates with good self-awareness, an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, and a keen readiness to develop these skills will be the ones who best position themselves for employment after college. All of these skills can be learned and acquired over time. By taking the time to explore, learn, and develop these skills, students can have a much better chance of setting themselves up for future success.

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About the author

CB Community

Passionate members of the College Basics community that include students, essay writers, consultants and beyond. Please note, while community content has passed our editorial guidelines, we do not endorse any product or service contained in these articles which may also include links for which College Basics is compensated.