Studying abroad has become an increasingly popular option for students seeking to broaden their academic, cultural and personal horizons. There are considerable benefits of studying abroad. According to International Student, some of the main advantages of pursuing a study abroad program are as follows:1
- Learn through travel experiences
- Exposure to a different educational system
- Cultural immersion and an open mind
- Advanced language skills
- Increased general cognitive ability
Below, you can get an in-depth exploration of each of these studying abroad benefits.
Simply traveling to new places can be very educational, and studying abroad offers a unique opportunity to experience new cultures as well. Not only will you have the opportunity to explore your host city, but on your days off from school, you will also likely be able to explore the surrounding towns and countryside. You’ll be able to see new sights and meet new people.
To get the most out of your study abroad program, it’s helpful to thoroughly research your host city and the surrounding area ahead of time. Create a comprehensive list of historical sites, cultural amenities, activities and similar things you would like to experience while you’re there.
You can broaden your perspective by seeking opportunities outside of your field of study. For example, if you’re a science major, you might consider visiting some art museums. Similarly, if you’re someone who typically prefers indoor activities, consider making an effort to go on a hiking trip or otherwise take in the natural beauty of your host country.
The benefits of studying abroad aren’t limited to museums and natural attractions. Traveling helps instill practical life skills that will serve you well throughout your life. You’ll learn valuable life lessons throughout your stay, such as figuring out how to navigate a new public transportation system, learning how to make new friends from other cultures and adjusting to living outside your comfort zone.
Another studying abroad benefit includes the opportunity to experience different education systems. School doesn’t look the same in every country. For example, did you know that in the U.K., universities feature primarily lecture-based classes that typically require only occasional assignments throughout the semester and a final exam at the end? Or, that schools in Japan integrate moral education (compassion, work ethic and so on) directly into the curriculum?
The curriculum, style of education and class format all differ from one country to the next. As a student who is studying abroad, you will be immersed in a brand-new educational system. This will enhance your global perspective and cultural competencies, helping you strive toward a greater understanding and acceptance of people from other nations.
In terms of curriculum, you may learn things in your field that you might not have learned in the U.S. In addition, you’ll certainly explore topics of interest from different perspectives. For example, have you ever wondered how the British teach the American Revolution in their schools or how Japanese textbooks explore the post-WWII reconstruction period? One of the many other advantages of studying abroad is the opportunity you’ll have to experience the world through diverse cultural perspectives.
Another reason why studying abroad is important is because it enables you to thoroughly explore a new culture and learn about people from other parts of the world. Each time you travel from one country to another, there are many cultural differences to become adjusted to. Culture comprises many factors, including the following:
- Language
- Religion
- Shared history
- Customs and traditions
- Food
- Recreation and sports
- Social ambience and behaviors
- Dress
- Currency
From learning about another culture’s religion and customs to trying their food to using their currency, there will be plenty of new things to do and explore when you first arrive in your host country. As you progress through your study abroad program, you are likely to find that you’ve developed an enduring appreciation for your host country, its people and its culture. You’ll gain a deeper level of acceptance, and you’ll find that you genuinely understand how there is no one universal “correct” way of life — every culture is a little different.
Developing greater cultural awareness and stronger cultural competencies is crucial to helping overcome divisions and harmful stereotypes. Having a better understanding of other cultures and their people is another one of the advantages of studying abroad.
Among the academic benefits of studying abroad is the effect it will have on your language skills. Typically, if you intend to participate in a study abroad program, you will likely take some foreign language courses at your university to prepare for the experience. However, you can expect to make even more progress with your language skills during your study abroad experience. After your program, you likely will find that your fluency in your second language has improved significantly.1 Studying abroad offers the opportunity for immersive language learning. An immersive language learning experience is one in which you are completely surrounded by the language you are learning. You will practice listening, speaking, reading and writing the language all day long — from ordering breakfast in a café to communicating with your professors and fellow students to watching movies in a theater.
An immersive learning experience is one of the most effective ways to learn a new language and to start speaking like a native. In one study, a researcher evaluated the brain activity of language learners and found that those who learned the language in an immersion-like environment demonstrated brain activity similar to native speakers of that language.2
As you begin preparing to study abroad, one of the factors to consider is where you will obtain lodging during your program. You may have the option to be lodged in the host university dormitories, or you may be placed with a host family. Either option would allow you to connect with native speakers on a daily basis, which builds on your immersive language experience.
You’ll also have opportunities to practice your language skills in the classroom, while socializing on campus and exploring your host city. Notice that all of these scenarios involve using language in a practical way — a key differentiator between classroom instruction and immersive learning. It is this focus on practical, meaningful use of the language (compared to rote memorization) that reinforces learning in the brain and allows you to significantly advance your language skills.
Exploring a new culture, visiting museums, learning about other educational systems and acquiring advanced foreign language skills are just a few of the academic benefits of studying abroad. There is also the potential for studying abroad to improve your overall cognitive skills, processes and neuroplasticity. How? Quite simply, becoming bilingual improves your brain’s capabilities.
Decades ago, it was thought that raising children to be bilingual would only confuse them, resulting in poor academic performance and even developmental delays. Fortunately, scientists now know that nothing could be further from the truth. Quite the contrary — bilingualism is a pathway toward greater cognitive possibilities.
Scientists now know that the brain possesses neuroplasticity — a remarkable ability to forge new neural connections that allow for enhanced learning and memory retention. In other words, learning a new language is a challenge that stimulates the brain and forces it to acquire new capabilities. This boost in cognitive capabilities and processing also lends itself to enhanced learning abilities in every other academic subject.
According to the National Education Association (NEA), which conducted an in-depth review of the scientific findings on bilingualism, students enjoy the following cognitive benefits when they become adept with a foreign language:3
- Students display better school performance across all subject areas (including significantly higher scores in mathematics and language arts).
- Students gain a greater understanding of the vocabulary and sentence structure of their native language.
- Foreign language learners consistently perform better on standardized tests than monolingual students.
- Students demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills.
- Bilingual students display superior verbal and spatial abilities.
- Foreign language students demonstrate better listening skills and superior memory retention.
- Students learning a second language have greater cognitive flexibility and higher-order thinking skills.
The cognitive benefits of learning a foreign language extend beyond what is listed, as achieving fluency can lead to greater cultural understanding, expanded global perspective or a higher sense of personal achievement. For many college students, the prospect of scoring better on college exams and enhancing their career qualifications is sufficient to justify planning a study abroad experience in order to enjoy immersive language learning.