Studying abroad is a great opportunity that many students are coming round to understanding the benefits of. Students are often scared and worried about spending a year in a foreign country, believing that staying at their host university will prove adequate on their CV. The extra advantages of studying abroad let the more outgoing student really stand out from the crowd, helping in today’s very competitive job market and gaining access to some unique opportunities that aren’t available to the UK studying student.
Support your degree
Spending a year abroad doesn’t just look great on your CV for any prospective employers, but can also provide a unique international perspective that you may have missed by just living in the UK. Experiencing a new culture by living and learning in one for a year can be greatly beneficial for producing a rounded and educated perspective on the world. Studying abroad can also lend itself well to the actual content of your course; it’s hard to imagine a languages student not taking the opportunity, as the benefits of learning a language in its native country are painfully obvious. A History student would likewise benefit from a different historical perspective, and other course areas would likewise be better informed from this different perspective.
Travel
Getting to see a new country is an amazing benefit in itself, but actually studying in a foreign country will give you an insider’s view traditionally hidden to tourists. Take advantage of this and try to see as much of the country as possible during holidays and downtime as you probably won’t get as good an opportunity for a fair few years.
Languages
Even if you’re not doing a language based course, the opportunity to learn a language whilst abroad is much more appealing than requiring tutorage in the UK, allowing you to use your flourishing skills on a day to day basis and immerse yourself. Learning another language provides a myriad of new opportunities that would otherwise not be open to.
Better education
If league tables are to be believed, your year abroad won’t just add culture to your CV, but perhaps a better standard of education too. If language is a barrier, most foreign universities are now teaching some courses in English, meaning learning the language isn’t a prerequisite.
Costs
With University fees at a record high in the UK, studying in the Eurozone or further afield are now a much more sensible and affordable option than they ever have been. With University subsidies and supporting schemes, such as Erasmus, studying abroad is not only massively exciting and beneficial, but can be relatively cheap as well.
If you’re thinking about studying or volunteering abroad, talk to a career’s advisor at your university or college. For more information on insurance required for studying abroad, visit endsleigh.co.uk