Why is Study Abroad So Important?
In our age of information and high-resolution photography, other countries are instantly at our fingertips. A plethora of readily available online resources and the reality of student debt almost make the idea of leaving home seem unnecessary and/or too expensive. But for the same reasons that we travel, studying abroad is one of the best decisions you can make as a student.
As humans, we are learning all the time. When we find ourselves in new and unfamiliar contexts -- a market in Germany or train station in Osaka, for example -- even the smallest interactions can become significant lessons. Regardless of how much research you can find about a foreign country, there’s no substitute for what you can learn by actually living there, and engaging in the everyday routines and customs that create culture. That's nothing to say of what you’ll learn about yourself in the process.
Studying abroad is important because it’s an experience that will change you forever, not only as a student but also as an individual. Your time overseas will teach you so more than what’s on the syllabus, giving you invaluable opportunities as well as insight and global perspective. When the world is your classroom, you’ll gain an unparalleled education.
You'll Have Cultural Experiences
Unlike a short vacation, when you study abroad you have the chance to see what life is really like in another country. The encounters you have as you shop for groceries, ask for directions, or walk through neighborhoods will teach you more about a place and its people than any textbook or guidebook could. By going beyond the tourist stops, you will obtain personal knowledge of your new city, the people who live there, and perhaps even a bit of its history. Living like a local is one of the best ways to understand a culture.
Career opportunities
Of course, the main reason for getting a degree in the first place is to improve your career prospects. In a globalised, well-connected world, employers increasingly value graduates with international experience and education.