Study Abroad Increases Professional Job Prospects Economic crisis, rising exchange rates, high travel expenses…all of these are some of main reasons why the previously meteoric rise in the rate of students studying abroad has been decreasing. Not only are expenses associated with study abroad increasing, but at the same time, scholarships, financial aid, grants, and fellowships that used to be available to study abroad students are less easily obtained. In addition, there are the national economic cuts and often short-sighted politics that ensue. Some students can’t help but wonder: “Is study abroad really worth it?” The current economic climate means that students must be ever more creative and resourceful when answering the question whether study abroad is a good investment, in every sense of the word. Study Abroad is Always worth It According to the survey in March, 2012, 1,008 study abroad alumni to “assess the impact study abroad has on a recent graduate’s prospects in securing employment and/or attending graduate school directly after earning a degree from a four-year college or university in the U.S.” Nearly 90% of study abroad alumni secured a job within the first six months after graduation. Key Findings showed that: • 50% felt the overseas experience helped them acquire their first jobs. • 84% felt that studying abroad helped them develop valuable job skills such as foreign language knowledge, cultural training, tolerance for ambiguity, adaptability, communication, and more. • 90% were admitted into their first or second choice graduate or professional school.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 10:59:07 +0000