20 Benefits of Studying Abroad

The most useful benefits of studying abroad are access to world-class education, advanced research opportunities, making friends globally, gaining soft skills, personal development, and global exposure. Whether you’re looking to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, studying abroad guarantees a life-changing experience. In fact, recent statistics showcased that 95% of students studying abroad have more self-confidence and leadership skills. "Similarly, a recent research study conducted by Milian, Madeline; Birnbaum, Matthew; Cardona, Betty; and Nicholson, Bonnie of the University of Northern Colorado published in the Journal of International Education and Leadership revealed that students, after studying abroad would gain cultural awareness and competence as the most significant asset in the future." Therefore, studying abroad helps students to become open-minded and accept changes.

Before you get to know each benefit of studying abroad one by one, quickly refer to the below image that presents all 20 advantages.

1. Chance to interact with culturally different people 

The most beneficial thing about studying abroad is getting a chance to interact with culturally different people. Apparently, who doesn’t want to know what’s happening in other parts of the world? What are the different types of cultures and ethnicities you have apart from yours? What’s the style of cuisine, living, etc., of other people from various parts of the world? 

Studying abroad helps you know all that. As a personal benefit, it gives you a great opportunity to acknowledge and understand what values other cultures have. It helps you become more empathetic towards another ethnic community.

When you study overseas, the greatest advantage that you have is to immerse yourself in the life that different people live. It could be a bit hard to strike a balance between your lifestyle and theirs, but keeping an open mind helps.  

2. Access to Advanced research opportunities 

The second best benefit of studying abroad is experiencing advanced research opportunities in advanced countries like Germany, Ireland, France, the US and UK, and Canada. These countries invest a considerable amount of money in several research initiatives, year on year. Germany has adopted many sustainable research practices over the years. 

Becoming part of the research and development sectors in countries like the US, Germany, and New Zealand will boost your career prospects to a great extent. According to a report released by the World Bank, the countries that heavily invest in their research sectors are Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, Austria, Germany, Denmark and the USA.

Let’s not forget that science and technology drives the world. To be part of a growing scientific community can give you a sense of satisfaction in the long run. 

3. Travel opportunities 

Yet another benefit of studying abroad is travelling opportunities worldwide. Yes, that’s right. When you study abroad, you get a chance to travel to other parts of the world. You get access to so many places which otherwise you’ll find it hard to get into. For instance, if you study in Ireland you also get access to visit Dublin, and if you study in Denmark, then Copenhagen and other Scandinavian towns are just a stone’s throw away. 

Make use of all semester holidays. Travel to lesser-known places or take internships that will help you travel. Travelling is an important part of everyone’s lives. It helps us appreciate others’ world views and helps you understand the loopholes in your own views. 

4. Become a global citizen 

Having a sense of global citizenship is one of the biggest advantages of studying abroad. You do become a global citizen when you study abroad. This is because a degree overseas gives you an edge to explore so many other opportunities in life.

You not only expand your worldview, but also learn so much about managing yourself. In a true sense, you become independent because you’re left on your own to think. 

A global perspective can open up the door to numerous opportunities. You may pick up a language or two, or you may figure out which country you are most comfortable to work in. 

5. Gain soft skills 

Surprisingly, the 5th advantage of studying abroad is gaining soft skills. Getting a degree overseas definitely helps you communicate better. When you are in the midst of different cultures, you learn things that you should and shouldn't be doing. You learn what to speak and how to speak, and what are the likes and dislikes of people in general. These soft skills will remain with you for life. 

You’ll gradually find yourself to have grown up into a completely well-developed person who can think for others as well as for yourself. Gaining soft skills helps you become street smart, and you learn how to present yourself in all types of situations.

Soft skills play a vital part when it comes to getting a job. The majority of employers judge a suitable employee based on the body language of the person and the way he/she presents different ideas to others. 

6. Personal development  

Without noticing, another advantage of studying abroad is personal development. It’s obvious that with added soft skills, you see a lot of personal development in yourself. You tend to become more unbiased towards different views, and you grow up to become more well-informed about many things in life. Money management and time management are other required skills that you develop.  

7. Gain International degree and PR 

The most common benefit of studying abroad is securing an international degree and PR. A degree abroad makes you internationally recognised. It also gives you an opportunity to apply for residence visas. Many countries have eased their stay-back options for graduates. Countries like the UK, Ireland, Canada and Germany are some of the best countries to study abroad, as they allow students to stay and search for jobs after graduation.

Use these opportunities to your advantage because once you miss them, you lose the chance for a lifetime. 

8. Learn Diverse courses 

Studying abroad is beneficial academically because it offers diverse courses. Kanan International has tied up with over 250 universities and colleges all over the world. This gives you a chance to explore diverse courses. The courses are well-researched and relevant in today’s world and helps you achieve a fulfilling career. 

9. Open to Overseas Employment opportunities 

When you study abroad, you will have the advantage of overseas employment opportunities. Employment opportunities open up for you more when you study abroad, especially for postgraduate and doctoral programs. Abroad countries welcome Indian students to work for them. And sometimes knowing an additional language speeds up this process. 

You’ll seldom find any country that is biased about hiring Indians. However, there are laws and you need to abide by those. For instance, some countries have rules that only the employer can apply for a visa on your behalf, e.g., SIngapore.

Getting a PR is closely connected with the immigration laws of a country too, so make sure you are aware of such rules and regulations.   

10. Experience Better quality of life 

Who doesn’t want a good quality of life? Well, students study abroad to take advantage of. As an international student, you’ll find better ways to live your life in a country abroad. This topic is a bit subjective since better quality could mean safety and security for someone. For others, it could mean financial stability. Irrespective of the views that you have, studying abroad can introduce you to a better world.  

11. Make friends globally 

Needless to say that you’ll make friends. Making friends globally is an undeniable advantage of studying abroad. Studying abroad gives you a chance to blend with people from other countries. Who knows you may find the partner for life or that special friend you never had? 

Making friends can help you with networking and finding career opportunities that you never expected. Networking goes a long way in establishing lifelong relationships that may help you during unexpected circumstances. 

12. Added value to your CV 

Updating your CV with an international degree is a biggest advantage of studying abroad. Almost all organisations want employees who have a globalised perspective. And that can happen through overseas education. Infact, based on a study by IES Abroad, it was found that 90% of students who studied abroad found employment within 6 months of graduation. 

The employment factor could be subjective depending on which country you study in. Also, stay-back option, your academic performance, and the course you choose to study should be factored in. 

13. Enhance your language skills 

Foreign students consider studying abroad advantageous as it enhances their language skills. The opportunity to study overseas can boost your language skills 10 times more than what you had earlier. This can also pave the way for job opportunities, for example, in countries like France, employers give a higher preference to hiring native language speakers as their employees. 

 14. Discover food 

Discovering food is necessary yet beneficial to your study abroad. Not convinced? Well, have you heard of Kartoffelpuffer, Kartoffelkloesse, and Sauerkraut? What do you think these are? City names?

Well, these are names of different German dishes. 

Before moving abroad, you may think that you cannot survive overseas without your staple diet. But that’s not true. Every country has their own food habits, and it’s absolutely possible to live by that. As much as you enjoy different cultures and languages, ensure you enjoy different food too. But wait, we are not asking you to gorge yourself on a big lobster if you are a hard-core vegetarian.

15. Be self-reliant 

Once you are on your own, you learn to be self-reliant and manage everything on your own - from doing dishes to handling finances. You are no longer seen as someone who always steps back for the need of some support in your chores. 

16. Know yourself 

Knowing yourself is a good benefit of studying abroad. It also lets you understand who you are and what you want out of life. There is nothing like taking care of yourself and being responsible for what your decisions are.

17. Enjoy the perks of being an international student  

The major benefit of studying abroad is enjoying so many perks that an international student receives. For instance, you get to use your student ID card and travel locally for free in some countries. Or sometimes you may get discounts on books and stationeries and utilities that you need. 

18. Become flexible 

Being flexible is an inevitable part of the study abroad journey. It's a valuable advantage of studying abroad, especially for personal reasons. You can’t escape that! Otherwise it would be hard for you to live on your own regardless of wherever you are. 

 19.Leadership ability 

Leadership skills come with the ability to think for yourself, clearly. If you can make decisions on your own, you can do so to help others too. Studying abroad a master's program is beneficial in this aspect because it enables you to think critically and independently. 

20. Get Higher Pay

When you study a PG course abroad, higher pay is one of the notable benefits. There’s a vast difference between the salary that you expect in India and abroad. A majority of students choose higher education abroad to uplift their economic situation. 

Best Countries to Study Abroad

Every year, international students choose the best countries to study abroad based on their QS World University Rankings, teaching faculties, research opportunities, access to different cultures, part-time jobs, and so on. This year, the best countries to study abroad are the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UAE, and other European countries. 

Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad

Considering economic factors like inflation and the new tax regime, almost every country in the world started offering quality education at affordable prices for deserving students. By reducing the tuition fees and cost of living, the cheapest countries to study abroad are France, Norway, Belgium, Poland, Canada, and Germany. 

Best Countries to Study (MS) Masters

Lastly, the best countries to study for a Masters (MS) are the USA, UK, Australia, Germany, France and Ireland. Prospective students choose these countries because they have a well-structured education system and curriculum. English-speaking countries like the USA and UK are well-known for Engineering and MBA courses. They offer research-based studies, high-salaried jobs and strong Indian presence.

Conclusion 

Now that we have given you enough information and tips for you to kick-start your journey. If you don’t know where to start, reach out to Kanan International’s study abroad experts. Know how you can devise a strategy to study this year or the next year in a  country of your choice. At Kanan, we have helped over 50,000 students study in countries like the USA, the UK, Canada, etc. In addition, we have supported numerous students with exam preparation for IELTS, TOEFL, SAT and GRE; visa assistance; counseling and application support; and so on.