StudentUniverse discusses the reasons why traveling abroad helps students enhance their personal and professional development.

As students prepare to head back to college this Fall, many grapple with the decision to study abroad. Students tend to focus their decision-making process around financials and course schedules, often over-seeing the potential career benefits.

In a recent poll of StudentUniverse customers who had spent a semester abroad, when asked what they felt was more valuable, an internship or study abroad experience, 77.1% said that the study abroad experience was more valuable. In addition, 88.2% of respondents felt that their experience helped, or will help them gain employment. In addition:

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Breakdown of respondents:

  • 91.5% of total respondents studied abroad in Europe
  • 75% of those spent a semester abroad while 14.8% spent a year abroad
  • 51.1% studied abroad during the Spring semester and 38.2% studied in the Fall semester
  • 93.3% visited another country during their time abroad (other than the country where the program was located)

Studying abroad helps young adults gain self-confidence, improved cognitive and interpersonal skills, and stronger cultural sensitivity. It prepares them for success and gives an edge over their peers as they venture into the professional landscape.

“At StudentUniverse, we believe studying abroad enriches a college education” said Paul Jacobs, Vice President of Marketing. “Those who take an interest in exploring the world away from home and learning from it, come back motivated and better prepared to take on new challenges. Our objective is to make those experiences more affordable and catered to students’ needs.”