Benefits of Studying Abroad

One of the key benefits of study abroad in college is immersing yourself in a culture different from your own. Whether you want to learn about the Aboriginal culture from 60,000 years ago in Australia or learn how to cook authentic paella and practice your Spanish language skills with a host family in Spain, studying abroad puts you in the center of it all.

A big part of your journey abroad involves making your host city your new home. Whether you live with a host family in Mexico or share an apartment with other students in a neighborhood in Italy, before you know it, you’ll find yourself frequenting your favorite local café and shopping at your trusted stores, making you feel right at home. 

Challenging your worldview is one of the most important skills you gain from study abroad. From understanding community public health challenges in Botswana to learning how to protect Costa Rica’s lush and fragile ecosystems, you’ll develop nuanced perspectives of humanity, geopolitics, public health, religion, the environment, and more while abroad, deepening your understanding of how the world works. 

Each CIEE Study Abroad program is infused with unique cultural excursions and co-curricular and extracurricular activities designed to bring your studies to life. Whether you take an overnight trip from Rabat to the former imperial city of Marrakesh in western Morocco or go on a day trip from Dublin to Ireland’s medieval town of Kilkenny, you’ll have every opportunity to visit important cultural sites, enjoy authentic cuisine, and discover how your classroom learnings apply to the real world. 

Studies show 97% of students who study abroad find employment within 12 months of graduation and 25% earn higher salaries than their peers. With a CIEE international internship, you can benefit your future by gaining real-world work experience, expanding your global network, and developing valuable skills like communication, adaptability, problem-solving, cultural competence, and more. These career benefits can help you stand out in today’s competitive job market and contribute to your personal growth.

Another one of the advantages of study abroad is the moment your program begins you’ll meet new people you wouldn’t likely have met otherwise and develop strong bonds through your shared cultural experiences. From other students to CIEE staff members to locals, you’ll form ties to your new community that can last a lifetime! 

The final value of study abroad is taking top-tier academic courses, no matter which CIEE Study Abroad program or location you choose. Whether you enroll in courses exclusively delivered by CIEE, courses offered by a local host institution, or a mix of the two, you’re guaranteed to earn valuable credits across a variety of subjects and disciplines toward your degree to help you stay on track for graduation. 

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