Attention college students: Want a job after graduation? Consider joining a study abroad program. This insight comes from a 2013 survey by StudentUniverse, an organization dedicated to helping college students explore the world since 1999.
What is Study Abroad
Most study abroad initiatives in the U.S. collaborate with universities, offering an extensive array of courses ranging from art to sciences. Programs typically last weeks or months, with semester-long and summer options being the most popular.
According to the StudentUniverse survey, U.S. students predominantly prefer study abroad experiences in Europe, with London, Paris, and Madrid leading the charts. Beijing and other Asian cities also ranked in the top 10, with an anticipated rise in popularity for China in the future.
Survey Says, Study Abroad Students Find Jobs
In the past, graduation was often followed by students immediately starting new jobs. Nowadays, increasing numbers return home to mom and dad as they search for work – making these survey statistics particularly noteworthy:
- 75% claimed their study abroad experience shaped their career trajectory
- 94% included their study abroad program on their resumes
- 88% reported it assisted them in securing employment
Figures have been rounded.
The last statistic is particularly striking, but here’s another noteworthy finding from a 2012 survey conducted by IES Abroad, which identifies itself as “the leading not-for-profit provider of study abroad programs” for American students.
- Nearly 90% of IES Abroad alumni “found their first job within six months of graduation, compared to only 49% of respondents in a recent survey of the general college graduate population who found work within a year after completing school.”
Does this imply that every study abroad participant lands great jobs right away? Not at all. However, there are many intangible benefits, and you gain valuable knowledge (hopefully).
“Studying abroad in China was an incredible opportunity to enhance my intercultural insights. During the semester, I learned beginner Mandarin and enjoyed Chinese calligraphy lessons while forming lasting friendships with fellow students and locals. Overall, my time in China capped my educational journey in college.”
- Claremont College graduate, Jordan Myint
Practical Tips for Study Abroad Students
If you’re exploring study abroad opportunities, it’s crucial to start planning now. With limited program openings, discuss your options with your school and consider your desired destinations. Here are some essential planning tips:
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Check airfare prices about five months ahead. Aim to purchase tickets no later than six weeks before departure.
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Winter offers the cheapest flights to Europe. Spring and fall flights are relatively affordable too, but summer is peak season with higher prices.
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Avoid overpacking. Extra or overweight baggage fees can be steep. Travel light.
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Plan for additional travel costs. You’ll likely want to experience more than just your host city. Air travel can be economical, especially in Europe, where budget airlines like EasyJet, Wizz Air, and Ryanair offer options (beware of additional fees).
- Enjoy yourself. But don’t forget to do some studying.
Find more travel tips and savings at FareCompare.com.
Studying Abroad was Hard but Worth It
By Bayla Pidgeon | Contributor
I studied at Sciences Po University in Paris, France, during my junior year’s fall semester. As a Georgetown University undergrad majoring in International Politics and Security Studies, spending time abroad was almost obligatory. Georgetown facilitated my semester transfer, but I enrolled directly at the Paris university, taking all courses in French. Having studied French for eight years before college, I thought I would manage. It was an adjustment, but overall, I loved living in Paris. The amazing stories about study abroad truly matched my experience. However, there are several things I wish I had known beforehand:
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Limit your clothing and extra items! I disliked what I brought and ended up buying a new wardrobe for my “Parisian” lifestyle, resulting in an overload and excessive fees on my return.
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Practice speaking the language as much as possible. While I spent the day in class speaking French, it felt relieving to speak English with my American friends. However, my French skills would have improved significantly had I committed to speaking French with them too (as some of my peers did).
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Going abroad is CHALLENGING for everyone. It is a significant adjustment to immerse oneself in a new culture. There will be difficult days that might make you cry. But ultimately, this experience is universal, and reflecting on it, you’ll remember the positive moments.
- A practical tip: Obtain a credit card with a chip. Most places in Europe only accept chip cards; having one avoids marking you as a foreigner.
I also gained invaluable lessons overseas that made my experience unforgettable:
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I discovered the art of solitude and loved it. When living in a homestay where friends are not always around, I spent plenty of time exploring alone. While daunting for many (including me), wandering to new places and enjoying beautiful sights is often more fulfilling when you can set your own pace and agenda.
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Taking risks is okay! Whether it’s a quick trip for a low fare, going on a date with an attractive person you met at a café, riding a bike down a busy street (not for the faint-hearted), or hiking—this was the first time I felt I could do anything! I cut off eight inches of hair, hiked on a Portuguese island, and dragged friends to the châteaux of the Loire Valley in the freezing cold without any plans except our train tickets to Paris. Without embracing spontaneity and little risks, my experience would not have been as remarkable.
- Things aren’t always as dreadful as they appear; if they are, view it as a learning opportunity. Adapting to life in France was tough at first—I faced a disruptive homestay situation, received harsh criticism from professors, and experienced days when I doubted my endurance. I not only persevered through those challenges but learned how to navigate difficulties independently.
My final piece of advice is to seize every chance to travel across Europe. While my friends and I visited a few places, we delayed our travels until it was too late, resulting in regret. With affordable flights available through discount airlines and low-cost train passes, there truly are no excuses. On a lighter note, this gives me an additional reason to return (as if I needed one).
All in all, I would not trade my study abroad experience for anything. I met incredible friends, witnessed breathtaking sights, took risks, immersed myself in a new culture, and significantly enhanced my French skills. Above all, I learned about my passions, dislikes, and capabilities. Study abroad provided an education that goes beyond the classroom, for which I am genuinely thankful.
Bayla, pictured with fellow students in Paris, is a graduate of ESD and currently a junior at Georgetown University.
