Awesome jobs attract awesome people. Whether you hope to work at a startup where people wear flip flops and stretchy tees, or at a multinational business where suiting up is the fashion du jour, you are more likely to land your dream gig or climb the ranks to your next promotion if you’ve studied abroad. Here are four job skills you can get when you study abroad.
1. You Can Work with People from Other Cultures
Studying abroad takes you beyond learning new language skills. It’s a journey of cultural and self-discovery, where you adapt to new ways of thinking and learning. That learning is invaluable when it comes time to work with colleagues in India or China, for example.
Candidates who studied abroad possess highly desirable qualities like cross-cultural communication skills, cultural awareness and maturity, according to more than 90% of employers.
2. You Are Confident Around Experts
Any career worth pursuing is going to attract other highly talented and motivated people. Study abroad introduces you to experts within academia and the private sector much earlier in life, giving you a head start on learning how to tackle unexpected work scenarios like a pro. The true skill of a boss is in navigating each workplace challenge with confidence and grace.
80% of students say that study abroad allowed them to adapt better to diverse work environments.
3. You Thrive in Multilingual Environments
Native listening skills increase when you study abroad. The nuances of any language— even in a country where your home language is spoken—are so different that you become an expert at recognizing syntax, expressions and body language like never before. Nothing could be more important to a leader than being able to communicate naturally and comfortably in any language.
4. You Can Solve Problems Like a Genius
As you move, interact and learn in a new environment you are exposed to different ways of approaching problems. What works at home doesn’t always work elsewhere, so you discover how to problem-solve with the fresh perspective of someone who is not tied to how it’s been done before. Thinking on your feet and the ability to swiftly understand what’s being presented becomes innate behavior when you study abroad.
58% of students who have studied abroad are actively pursuing—and getting—promising careers in other countries.
Sources: aifsabroad.com | Course Hero
Jumpstart re-acclimation with UCEAP’s free online Navigating Reentry course! The five self-paced micro modules are private and pressure-free and help you highlight study abroad in applications, identify transferable skills, and discuss your experience professionally.
Log into UCEAP learn with your active UC campus credentials and click Reentry to get started.
Did your time abroad lead to an amazing opportunity? Share your story in the comments.
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