Return to The 3 E's

ENHANCEMENT

Enhancement is probably the most vague of our three E's, but still an important one to consider. Both education and experience lead to enhancement so in a way this topic is a summary of what the other benefits of studying abroad will do for you in the long term.

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Communicate your Education & Experience

When you return to your home school, you will probably find that there are a good many opportunities for you to put your newfound knowledge to use. The education that you received while abroad should help make you a valuable contributor to classes and discussions back home. If you took classes in your major abroad, you have had the benefit of being taught in your field from a different background, possibly a different methodology and almost certainly from a different point of view. Share this new knowledge!

Another way that you can share your experience is by helping other students who are considering studying abroad. If you remember how many questions you had, it can be a great help to have someone confident to answer those questions. This will not only help them, but also give you the opportunity to talk about your experiences and enjoy sharing them. Many schools hold panels with returned students where prospective students are invited to come and ask questions. Other schools compile lists of students who have gone abroad who would be willing to talk to students with questions. Encourage others to study abroad so that they can experience the amazing benefits and growth that you have had.

Capitalize on Maturity

Much as you may not believe it, you really will return from studying abroad with a different perspective on world affairs and more maturity. This new global perspective should impress on you the responsibility to share that with those around you. In your school, your school organizations, your activities, and eventually in your career, you have the basis for a lifelong recognition of the world as a global community. You owe it to yourself, your experience, and your local community to facilitate understanding and increased global awareness. Learning to translate your experiences into action on your return is what really makes studying abroad worthwhile in the long term.

Career Enhancement

Another benefit that few students consider to studying abroad is the opportunity it may yield for career enhancement. With the improvement of global communications, the world continues shrinking and businesses must operate in an international environment. People with an international background can be an asset to any company today. Many of the skills you have learned (fluency in a second language, cultural sensitivity, flexibility, understanding, etc.) are directly transferable to the world of business. It is not only language skills that make you valuable today, although those can be important, it is the ability to adjust and communicate with those from widely different backgrounds in an effective and sensitive manner.

Conclusions

We imagine that when you first considered studying abroad, you had no idea how many benefits could be gained from a few months or a year in a different country. However, it is important to recognize that these benefits are not all going to fall into your lap just by showing up. While some of them may, you are going to need to put some amount of conscious effort into the process to reap the maximum benefits. Be looking for our next article for details of how to maximize your experience while you are actually abroad!

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