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Traveling far and wide in order to study in the midst of a different culture dates back to the beginning of craftsmen. Over time, students have crossed oceans to learn about art, science, math and medicine in other parts of the globe. The benefits of such travel are vast:

1. An overwhelming majority of college students report a sense of personal growth. As a student, they will need to stretch their comprehension skills as they learn to cross language barriers and culture differences. There’s also a general feeling that their worldview and tolerance has broadened, which leads to increased maturity at an earlier age. Friendships developed while studying abroad tend to last a lifetime which keeps the global influence alive when making everyday decisions.

2. You will represent your country with all that you do. College students abroad are given opportunities to extend diplomacy with every interaction they have. You’ll have the opportunity to become what could be some people’s first (and maybe only) dealings with an American citizen. While you’ll be learning, you could also be teaching at the same time. In the process your world view will change and you’ll have a unique opportunity to reflect on your value system.

3. The journey often leads to a shift in career goals. A new and broader perspective gives students a chance to reevaluate their college major before entering the workforce. What’s more, up to 64% of respondents attribute their decision to attend graduate school to their time abroad.

The longer the student spends time away from their base campus, the more likely the benefits are to increase. The average length of stay over the past few decades has shortened considerably. Whereas the majority of college students used to study abroad for a full academic year, now the average stay is under ten weeks. Nonetheless, similar benefits are still reported.

If you are still in college, now is the perfect time to look into the possibility of joining the ranks of those who have studied abroad. Your advisor can counsel you about transferring credits and financial aid, as well as guide you through the application process. What have you got to lose?

Jim Hart has been the director of academic advising at a medium-sized university for eight years. His interests include student exchange programs, online college graduate degrees, career advising, online degrees in the sciences, and CLEP examinations.

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