Studying abroad is an incredible experience that can give you valuable insight into other cultures. There are a lot of high school study abroad opportunities, but should you wait until you’re in college to take advantage of the opportunity to study in another country? There’s no right or wrong answer to this question, but here are some of the reasons why college is the ideal time to studying abroad.
Maturity Level
There’s something to be said for traveling alone when you have the maturity to handle the stress. Many high school students have minimal experience traveling and may lack the maturity necessary to leave their families and immerse themselves in another culture for months at a time. Most people grow up a lot between high school and college. So, if you want to enjoy your study abroad adventure as much as possible, you may want to wait until college when your confidence and life experiences are a little more developed.
Earn Transferrable Credits
While many high school kids choose to study abroad mainly for the experience, if you wait until you’re in college, you’ll have a better idea of what courses will transfer over for credits. Many high school graduates change their minds about career choices once they start taking college classes, so it’s wise to wait until you have a pretty solid career selection in mind before choosing a study abroad program. Make sure you sit down and have a good discussion with your advisor about which study abroad program will align most closely with your interests and field of study.
Build a Global Network
The main point of college is to help you prepare for your future career. Since most professional paths can benefit from global networks, college is the perfect time to travel to another country and create professional connections while you study. Having connections in other countries may be exactly what you need to give yourself an edge in your chosen profession.
Bulk Up Your Resume
When you enter college, you should give serious thought to how you’ll build your professional resume and make yourself more hirable. Including international experience on your resume could give you a leg up over similar candidates who don’t have international experience. Companies that deal with international clients or have offices all over the world are more likely to view international experience as a significant advantage.
Opportunity to Travel
Do you dream of traveling and seeing what the rest of the world is like? College may be the ideal time to follow your dream. Studying in another country is the perfect excuse to experience another culture up close while simultaneously furthering your education. Once you’re out of college and entering the workforce, it will be more difficult to find the time to travel for extended periods of time.
Learn a New Language
College is a great time to learn a new language. Your mind is sharp and you’re focused on preparing for your future however you can. Speaking a different language in a natural setting helps you retain and practice what you’ve learned. Many employers prefer bilingual employees, so learning a language can become a great asset to you in the future.
Develop Your Confidence
Most kids have a lot of financial and emotional help from their parents and families through high school. Leaving the nest and traveling abroad during college is one of the most effective ways to develop your confidence and gain unprecedented personal growth. Independence is an important skill to learn, and there’s no better way to learn it than by jumping into a culture and climate that is completely foreign to you
Before you head off to your new study location abroad, take time to learn as much as you can about the cities and towns in the area. You should also get used to using maps to find your way around. Learning how to navigate unfamiliar territory by yourself can be very empowering.
See the World in a New Light
College is the perfect time to get out and see what the rest of the world is really like. You most likely have a preconceived notion of different countries and people, but your real-life experience will probably be much different than you expected. Learning more about the cultures of the world can improve and change your life in ways you never imagined.
Make New Friends
Whether you struggle to make friends or you’re a social butterfly, you’ll make incredible new relationships while you study abroad. Embarking on a new, challenging adventure with other students and teachers inevitably forges bonds that may last long after you return home.
International Business Seminars offers a wide variety of short-term study abroad programs that can help you grow and gain new skills while furthering your education. Learn more about our programs by contacting us.
