Why study abroad?

Thinking about studying in another country? You are not alone! More students than ever are packing their bags to head overseas and experience their study abroad dream. But why? Well, studying abroad not only opens doors to high-paying jobs but also helps expand your horizons. It adds a new dimension to your life. You get to earn a foreign degree, gain skills that textbooks alone can’t teach, and secure better pay. And who knows? Maybe, eventually, you will find an opportunity to settle down in a new country. Picture yourself in a new cultural setup, making friends globally and having life-altering experiences.

Studying abroad is more than just attending classes in a foreign land; it's a journey that helps you hone your life skills and transform your personality. You are now an expert in the English language and have matured as a person–you are a confident and independent individual working overseas. Several studies have suggested studying abroad greatly improves students’ intercultural skills, flexibility, adaptability, self-awareness, curiosity, and confidence.  

The benefits are endless! If you are curious to find out how a studying-abroad trip can transform your life (and your resume), keep reading. 

Main Benefits of studying abroad

Studying overseas offers a great experience with lots of perks. It allows you to step out of your comfort zone, try new things, and grow academically. Let's explore the major benefits of studying abroad. 

Academic Growth

Studying abroad allows you gain a foreign degree and a high-quality education. You also get exposure to diverse teaching methods, advanced resources, and global perspectives and gain in-depth knowledge and skills.  

You can tailor your overseas study experience to match your career aspirations by choosing a specialised program that aligns with your academic interests. Whether you're into history, art, business, or science, you'll find a study abroad program that fits. According to a study in 2022 published by Springer, students who studied abroad were 6.2% more likely to graduate in 4 years and had GPAs 0.16 points higher than those who didn’t.  

A global perspective will make you a stronger applicant for grad school or future jobs. Your time abroad also shows you value international learning and can adapt to new environments.  

Grow your career opportunities

In today's job market, standing out matters a lot. One of the benefits of studying abroad is it can make your CV or resume stand out against other candidates. It will become easier for you to catch the eye of future employers with your worldwide skills and experience. 

Studying abroad can significantly enhance your English language skills, especially if you communicate in English daily while living in a foreign country. Highlighting this proficiency on your resume can showcase your ability to adapt and thrive in diverse environments. Additionally, emphasising your experience of engaging with different cultures can demonstrate valuable soft skills that many employers appreciate, such as adaptability and cross-cultural communication. 

Many study abroad programs also offer internship chances. This allows you to gain actual work experience in your field of study. This can boost your career prospects when you start job hunting after graduation. 

If you aim to join a large corporation, enter the field of international relations, or bring a global outlook to your profession, studying in an overseas country can help you make a lasting impression. 

Migration Opportunities

Your time overseas and the abilities you pick up while learning in another country can open doors to many migration prospects. Companies recognise the value of global competencies. They look for candidates with global experience, international connections, and specialised expertise.  

Studying abroad equips you with skills to address global skill gaps, making you a valuable asset. Countries with talent shortages often offer work visas or permanent residency to retain international students who contribute to their workforce and economy.  

A study by ‘The Migration Observatory At The University of Oxford’ shows that around 112,000 former international students were given graduate visas and around 56,000 international students received other work visas in 2023 in the UK. This is a significant rise from around 40,000 post-study work visas and 3,000 other work visas issued in 2011. 

Personal development

Studying abroad is more than academic success—it’s a journey of personal growth. Leaving your comfort zone helps you adapt, become self-reliant, and gain independence. Navigating a new city, managing finances, and overcoming language barriers build resilience and resourcefulness. You’ll form new friendships, develop problem-solving skills, and learn to view challenges as opportunities. 

Immersing yourself in a new culture strengthens confidence and decision-making abilities. Exploring unfamiliar places and connecting with diverse people fosters adaptability and autonomy. By embracing new experiences and taking risks, you become a stronger, more capable individual, prepared for future challenges both in and beyond the classroom. 

Other reasons to study abroad

Apart from offering numerous advantages in academics and career prospects, studying in a foreign country adds depth to your life. You might discover new passions and learn more about yourself as you embrace the unfamiliar and remain open to fresh experiences.  

Discover new places

One of the top reasons to study abroad is to travel and discover new places. Imagine yourself visiting the UK, Australia, Ireland, USA, New Zealand, or Canada and experiencing new cultures and creating lifelong memories. 

Studying abroad gives you amazing travel opportunities. You can immerse yourself in the everyday life of your host country. You can check out famous landmarks and uncover hidden gems. 

What's more, you'll have weekends and holidays to explore places beyond your host country. Let's say you study in London, UK. You can take trains to Paris or Edinburgh to enjoy their breathtaking views and local delicacies. 

Hone your English skills

One of the top benefits of studying abroad is the chance to master a new language. Immersing yourself in the English language works wonders to boost your speaking abilities and to grasp the culture more. 

Don't fret if you're not yet fluent in English. We offer official preparation materials, practice tests, pathway programs and expert guidance to help students prepare for the IELTS test. Connect with our experts anytime to get personalised support and improve your skills and confidence for the exam. 

Imagine ordering coffee without hesitation, riding public transport, and talking to locals–all in their language. Learning a new language is a present you give to yourself. It leads to deeper cultural insights and aids in personal development. 

Experience a new culture

When you study abroad, you get to experience the everyday life, customs, and traditions of the country hosting you. You sample new cuisines, take part in local celebrations, and understand social norms. Each day feels like a new adventure. You start to see and value different perspectives and lifestyles. 

Grab the opportunity to connect with locals, pose questions, and join cultural activities. By immersing yourself in the local culture, you create lasting memories and return home with a broader outlook. 

Find new interests

Studying abroad allows you to learn more about yourself. You get the opportunity and liberty to explore activities you may not have considered and uncover a passion you never knew existed once you step out of your comfort zone. 

Picture yourself learning to ride waves on an Australian beach, learning bodhrán or tin whistle in Ireland, or mastering the sport of skiing in Canada. Exploring new hobbies or rediscovering yourself are other worthy reasons to study abroad. 

Make new friends

One of the best things about studying abroad is the chance to make new friends for life. Your classmates will be your travel buddies, study pals, and close friends as you deal with the good and challenging parts of studying abroad together. We can help you find accommodation where you can stay with students from around the world. What a better way to make friends! 

These connections help enrich your life while enabling you to build a network for the future. As you all go different ways and grow in your careers, you'll have friends and contacts all around the world. This will bring new ideas and opportunities to work together. 

Gain new experience and a global mindset

In today’s connected world, global thinking is valuable. Studying abroad exposes you to new perspectives, challenges your beliefs, and helps you see cultures—including your own—differently.  

By interacting with people from diverse backgrounds, you break stereotypes and appreciate the world’s complexity. This mindset benefits you in many ways, from improving job prospects to understanding global issues and the interconnected world. 

Discover how to study abroad

When you study in another country, you broaden your worldview and boost your job prospects. It combines personal growth with career benefits. You might aim for better grades, learn about new cultures, or discover more about yourself. Whatever your goal, the benefits of studying abroad are substantial. As you try to discover how studying abroad could significantly impact your life, we are here to guide you in every step, from selecting courses and settling in your new home. Whether you want us to help with your study application, open a student bank account, or book accommodation, our counsellors are here to guide you for free. Register today for free counselling to get expert advice from our experienced counsellors.