The benefits of using study abroad college programs to visit other countries should not be underestimated. There is practically no downside to studying in a foreign country, and the advantages are huge. Aside from learning a new language and getting a better understanding of other countries' politics and culture, by studying abroad you can become a more desirable employee for many companies in your own country. If the person who interviews you has also studied abroad when he or she was in college, this is a great connection point that will benefit you.
Among the most practical things that you will learn by staying in a foreign country while continuing your studies is the understanding of a new culture. For instance, you may be surprised that in some cultures, people say exactly what they are thinking. You do not have to be offended, but rather try to be more interested in finding out more about the unique characteristics of each nation.
Moreover, you will have a better understanding of world politics. You will also get a grasp of the bureaucracy of a certain country, allowing you to make comparisons between different nations based on this fact alone. This can help you a lot when you are employed in a big company that does business with clients all over the world, as you can be one of the few people who understand how the system works in other countries.
Learning a new language can be done much faster through study abroad college programs. Consider that a language class offers on average 45 hours a semester, while an average day in a foreign country involves spending 16 hours every day making contact with people speaking only the language you want to learn. Therefore, only 3 days of experience in a foreign country can be just as effective as an entire semester of language courses.
Another great benefit is that you will learn to be more patient and flexible. This is because you will have to make some efforts to adapt there and change your schedule completely. For instance, you might eat dinner at 8 PM instead of 6 PM, or you will not have hot water all day long. If you are wondering how this can help you, think about the fact that there is nothing a manager hates more than employees who are not able to adapt to new working conditions.
In conclusion, keep in mind that by enrolling in study abroad college programs during your college years you will gain a lot of knowledge, skills and experiences that will be very helpful when trying to get a better paying job. Your experiences abroad will definitely be appreciated by any potential employer.
