<p>Please discuss</p>
<p>Probably not unless it helps you become fluent in a language they use to communicate with clients, etc. But if you can afford it, why wouldn’t you want to go? What an amazing experience! Sometimes it’s not all about future employers, it’s about doing something to make you a more experienced, informed person.</p>
<p>Since Coca Cola and others provide scholarships to learn languages, I think many international companies do care about experiences abroad…significant ones that is. And certainly if you wish to work with those types of companies, you will have to show your comfort level at traveling and working in other cultures. And it is not easy to gain that comfort level. Some folks decide staying home in the US to work is easier. It’s good to find this out, sooner rather than later. And definitely an internship abroad is key to future work with international companies.</p>
<p>Study abroad is most meaningful for those who are going into international fields i.e. foreign languages, international development/non-profit work, federal government, or international business/finance. Outside of these disciplines it is less meaningful but can still be a great experience depending on what you do in your study abroad. If you are concerned about whether future employers care about study abroad, I would look into getting an “internship abroad” instead - a triple whammy, with job experience, college credits & abroad experience all in one!</p>
<p>Yeah, I definitely agree with fa-la-la-lena. It woudl be much more useful for certain majors (like architecture, business, language majors, etc) than others (engineering, maybe?).</p>
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<p>Almost all electronics are made in East Asia. Study abroad would definitely be useful for engineering.</p>
<p>Studying abroad is not a guarantee of a job; almost nothing can do that. However it is something that people reviewing your resume will notice, and anything that makes you stand out from the crowd is beneficial. It also indicates to employers the odds are higher of getting someone with a certain level of maturity, since living in a foreign country does take some initiative in resolving issues that arise.</p>
<p>Just because electronics are made in east asia doesn’t mean that studying abroad there as an engineer is going to help you.</p>
<p>Study abroad would probably most help International Relations majors and other similar fields in getting a job. However, it’s a great experience for anyone and honestly, not everything you do in college needs to be for the sole purpose of getting a job.</p>
<p>Almost every student I know who is a junior in college is studying abroad, including my son. Study aboard seems to me to be akin to getting an MBA for business - if everyone else is doing it and you don’t, a potential employer will ask - why? Why didn’t you study abroad? Are you afraid of new experiences? Are you uncomfortable outside of a known environment? Do you not handle new situations, new environments, or new people well?</p>
<p>Most colleges offer study abroad semesters that do not cost any more than a regular semester at home so employers know money is not the issue.</p>
<p>Lastly, the world is now a united global economy (look at the current banking/housing crisis and how it swept across countries). Unless you are seeking employment with small local employers, you will be competing in the job market with global candidates, working for global companies, dealing with global customers, and reporting to global bosses. Hence why study abroad is critical these days for a basic understanding of the global community. As an employer, I would not even consider an applicant who has no experience with the global community when I can have my pick of graduates who not only studied abroad but also did global internships, have dual EU citizenships, are fluent in a foreign language(s), lived overseas, etc. </p>
<p>Your study abroad selection should be a serious one - everyone knows the kids who go to Australia do so because they want to party and they are afraid of going anywhere where no one speaks English (that afraid of new experiences issue). The UK is okay if you’re studying finance, but Singapore, Beijing, or Hong Kong is better. A choice of a semester in Africa shows you are cutting edge and fearless. And many colleges are opening sister schools in Qatar - a rising global player (hint: World Cup!). Think of the markets US companies will want to be a part of as they expand and that’s a country you should consider for your semester abroad. Look to the planet’s future as you map your own.</p>
<p>Probably not, but I’m doing it for me to be honest. I wanted to live abroad. My life is too short and valuable to worry about some fat guy trying to figure out if my 1 year amazing study abroad experience was worth it. It was worth it to me. I know I’ll get a job somewhere (in fact, I’m studying abroad and I’m doing 2 freelancing projects + part time job…) and have enough faith in me so I’m going to enjoy my year abroad.</p>
<p>And you’ll have something interesting to talk about during your interview.</p>
<p>No, they don’t.</p>
<p>Lets face it, lots of people travel overseas, it’s really not that unique.</p>
<p>It’s more for personal enrichment, and if you’re able to, you definitely should. But you will not “wow” employers with it, it’s basically a personal experience.</p>
<p>My wife is a nurse and spend a year in Italy training nurses at a sister hospital after she graduated college, that was good professional experience that built her as a nurse.</p>
<p>Simply going to another country and studying there for a semester doesn’t do much.</p>
<p>Employers aren’t stupid. They know what semester abroad usually conists of, drinking beer in Germany, smoking pot in Amsterdam, taking pictures in Rome, eating wierd food in Asia, getting in bar fights in Ireland, shopping in London, seeing Koalas in Australia, dating a boy/girl from another part of the world who speaks minimal English, ect.</p>
<p>Now if an Engineering major was able to go to another country and actually contribute to civil engineering projects, that would be helpful, or if an Architecture major went to Rome/Vatican City and studied a specific type of design in person, that may also be helpful.</p>
<p>I traveled alot in my college years and it didn’t really help me professionally, but they were great personal experiences that taught me alot. In fact, I learned more on these trips about life and the world than I did sitting in a classroom. </p>
<p>I have lots of cool stories. Most involve drinking in some foreign country, a girl who barely speaks english and some internationally known iconic symbol (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, St. Peters Cathedral, ect.)…the best stories consist of all three.</p>
<p>No. Most people don’t do it and (not that it’s a bad thing) these kids usually money.</p>
<p>^ Not really. I definitely don’t come from money, neither did any of the people that I studied abroad with (except one and it very much reflected in her grades). We all worked to get scholarships. </p>
<p>Anyway, from what I’ve gatherered from employers after studying abroad, the perks are fairly obvious:
- Your application sticks out. Foreign travel and study abroad is going to catch someone’s attention, especially if you did well there (ie good grades or some sort of internship experience). </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Generally, you get some foreign language skills which are crucial in today’s globalized economy. </p></li>
<li><p>It’s always better to be cultured than not. Employers want someone who is multidimensional and has experienced things outside of their comfort zone. Traveling is outside most people’s comfort zone. Homestays are also very important in this category. </p></li>
<li><p>You occasionally make overseas contacts which could help you. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>In my own experience, studying abroad has led to numerous opportunities. It has led me to get an internship at a refugee development center (where I could further hone my Spanish skills and very much learn to think on my feet). It opened my eyes to travel and I am much more willing than a lot of people to be sent overseas for work. Heck, I am already considering moving abroad for a few years- this flexibility is very good for a lot of corporations. I also talked to one employer who was willing to give me a paid internship because I had experience with Costa Rica- a country that they are desperately trying to do business with. I met quite a few people in his field down there that I still correspond with. I am not doing it because it is way outside of my field of interest/expertise, but I did provide him with contact information. </p>
<p>Anyway- even if the study abroad experience doesn’t help you in the future, DO IT if you can. Seriously, it has been one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life.</p>
<p>I suppose it may help in very selective circumstances when trying to obtain your first job out of college, but after that it’s pretty meaningless. </p>
<p>I don’t even mention it on my resume. I only would if I felt it had some direct connection to the job I was applying for.</p>
<p>Also, I hear alot of people talking about “The Global Economy” and how language skills are sooo valuable. Not really. English is the international language of business and a large international company isn’t going to hire some college grad with no work experience to handle overseas business matters. Not saying it’s not helpful or good to have, or that you’d never use them, just saying it’s more important to focus on skills that will have an immediate impact in the workforce and that are really in demand. Sure, if you are fluent in Japanese/Chinese (or something else) that may have some major benefits to a company, but just learning some “broken language” while traveling abroad isn’t going make much of a difference. </p>
<p>Remember, a study/semester abroad really isn’t that significant. We’ve been fighting two wars for nearly 10 years and there are thousands of military personnel that have spent over 50% of that time in foreign countries, some since they were 18 years old. It’s not that hard to find some one with experience overseas if it’s needed.</p>
<p>Being able to operate overseas is something any capable adult should be able to do. With travel restrictions and security issues they way they are now most overseas trips made by corporate representatives are completely planned out by security teams and other personnel. Arraingments are made for airfare, transportation from the airport, lodging is selected from approved US State Department hotel lists (ones where it’s less likely to have your identity stolen) and you are usually debriefed on friendly/not-so-friendly areas to visit.</p>
<p>Of course, it’s not always like that. It’s just becoming more and more usual. Having employees travel overseas is a major liability for companies now, it’s a very sensitive climate.</p>
<p>And to be honest, it’s not very difficult for any capable adult to work in more friendly countries like England, Germany, ect. It doesn’t take any specialized traveler or “study abroader” to accomplish whatever job you are sent to do, and you usually wouldn’t be sent alone. These are the type of jobs most young college students dream for, and I understand why, it’s a pretty cool experience. Just don’t expect it to come soon, as a fresh grad you’re on the bottom of the pile.</p>
<p>If a student has the opportunity to study abroad, I definitly recommend it. It serves as a very good personal experience. You get to learn alot of real life stuff, and that is important. Lots of lessons to be learned outside of a classroom. I’m definitely a better person because of my travel opportunities, and I don’t see how anyone wouldn’t improve themselves from it.</p>
<p>A very good friend of mine works for NBA Europe, and he’s really imbedded there. Lives just like everyone else, not much corporate oversight on his living situation. However, he wasn’t hired because he had experience traveling overseas, in fact he had very little experience as a travel. He was just very good at his job and took advantage of the opportunity when it became available. </p>
<p>It won’t make any real noticeable difference in your employment opportunities, but this economy really sucks, so college students need to do everything they can to strengthen themselves as an employee/applicant.</p>
<p>It depends on a number of factors:
A. Career path – some careers have “international experience” or “foreign language” as a significant point in the hiring process. Study abroad definately helps the first and may help the second.</p>
<p>B. Type of Study Abroad – Look at factors that tell you what kind of experience you will be gaining. EX:
- LENGTH: Longer is better than shorter; more time to immerse oneself in the culture/language
- AUTHENTICITY: Will you be just seeing touristy spots with a guide and taking classes at your University’s campus in another country, or will you immerse yourself in the educational system of the other country and learn about its culture through authentic experiences?
- LANGUAGE LEARNING: programs in which you actually use another language most of the time, maybe even taking classes taught in that language, will help you gain fluency and are thus the best choice.
- ACTIVITIES: Will you be taking classes? Gaining some sort of work experience? How will what you are doing in this program benefit you later?</p>
<p>C. Cost-Benefit Analysis – can you afford to pay for the experience without incurring massive debt? What about living expenses, food, contacting home, all of the expenses you don’t really think about when considering the cost of study abroad? Will you still be able to graduate on time, or can you afford to pay for another quarter, semester, or whatever applies? </p>
<p>Ultimately, the value of study abroad will be different from person to person. Good luck making the decision that is right for you.</p>
<p>WilPowerMom, I disagree with a few of the ideas in your post.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I highly doubt that employers will ask why one did NOT pursue a study abroad program. There are many reasons why people don’t do one. It could be finances, it could be that one simply doesn’t have the time to do one, or it could be that a person just simply doesn’t want to do one. The assumptions made of a person’s characteristics by not studying abroad are not valid. I haven’t studied aboard, yet I have moved many times in the United States each time having to adapt to a new school system and community and social scene. </p></li>
<li><p>I don’t think employment should be held on the basis of your global knowledge. In my opinion your competency outweighs global experience.</p></li>
</ol>