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Career and professional benefits of study abroad and exchange

  1. Earn a higher salary
    According to a study conducted by the Forum on Education Abroad, students who studied abroad earn on average $4,159 more in their first job after graduation.
  2. Stand out in a competitive job market
    With only a small percentage of the U.S. student population studying abroad it’s a bonus on your resume that will help you gain a competitive edge. A recent survey shows that study abroad has a lasting impacts on students’ careers. Study abroad also signals that you’ve gained many traits that potential employers find valuable, such as open-mindedness, being proactive, resourcefulness, ability to lead, maturity, independence, flexibility, curiosity, and self-reliance.
  3. Gain proficiency in another language
    Students with strong language skills are highly desirable to employers, especially if you’re fluent in two or more languages. A study performed by WorldMetrics.org found that bilingual employees have a 25% higher chance of landing a job in a new country. That same study found that on average, bilingual employees earn five to twenty percent more per hour than monolingual employees.
  4. Be a part of a group of high achieving students Students who study abroad tend to have higher GPAs in college and graduate on time. Research from CASSIE explores this connection.
  5. Strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills
    Moving to another country involves leaving familiar support systems and learning how to manage independently. The maturity you gain from studying abroad sets you up for success in the working world, bolstering your sense of initiative to independently accomplish tasks and giving your manager confidence in your abilities.