More than just a suitcase of souvenirs – the perks of studying abroad

The opportunities for students to enhance their academic and professional lives through studying abroad are greater than ever before. 

Studying abroad is more than just a chance to live and study in another country – it’s a life-changing opportunity that can shape your future in unexpected ways. Even if you’re already studying in a foreign country, there are still many benefits to taking an additional step toward international exposure. Whether it’s learning a new language, expanding your professional network, or simply gaining a fresh perspective, studying abroad can dramatically enhance your personal and professional growth.

Let’s take a closer look at why studying abroad is such a great idea!

Expanded worldview through immersion

Living in a foreign country means diving headfirst into a new culture and allows for deeper understanding of cultural nuances. Because it’s not just about sightseeing and tasting exotic food but also learning about how people live in different places.

Experiencing life abroad gives you firsthand exposure to different traditions, languages, and customs. By engaging with local students, you can also gain insight into different ways of approaching everyday life.

Unique Learning Opportunities

Studying abroad also means discovering new academic systems. You might encounter different approaches to teaching or course topics that aren’t available at your home institution. Even if you are already studying abroad, spending time at another institution or taking part in an international project will expand your knowledge further, leading to a more well-rounded understanding of your field of study.

Developing Essential Life Skills

It’s a fact that living abroad forces you to step outside your comfort zone. From navigating a new city to figuring out day-to-day tasks in a new language, you’ll quickly develop crucial skills for personal and professional success.

Living in a foreign country challenges students to think critically and solve problems in creative ways. These challenges teach you how to think on your feet and adapt quickly, which is exactly what employers are looking for.

For students already pursuing a degree abroad, taking part in an additional international exchange provides further opportunities to grow and learn. You’re likely to face a new set of challenges that continue to build the kind of problem-solving skills that will help long after graduation.

Strengthening Language and Communication

One of the greatest benefits of studying abroad, no matter where you are in the world, is improving your language skills. Whether it’s learning the local language or becoming more proficient in a global language, like English or Spanish, languages are an incredible asset in today’s interconnected world.

While studying abroad, language learning goes beyond the traditional classroom. Attending lectures in a foreign language and engaging in everyday conversations helps develop practical communication skills that are invaluable in so many professional sectors.

Boost Your Career Opportunities

Today’s competitive job market means that companies are increasingly interested in candidates with international experience. Having studied abroad shows potential employers that you have a global mindset. This is especially valuable in industries that often work across borders like IT and healthcare.

The international relationships formed during your time abroad can turn into lifelong professional connections that may lead to interesting possibilities in the future. Students who are already completing their degree programs in a foreign country can further strengthen their resumes by taking part in (an) additional international mobility.

Making it happen at Howest University of Applied Sciences

Howest University of Applied Sciences, with campuses in the West-Flanders region of Belgium, understands how valuable international experiences are. That’s why they offer a variety of programs to study and/or intern abroad that match diverse student needs. Howest has partnerships with institutions all around the world, offering an impressive selection of destinations to choose from.

Through these programs, Howest helps students build a network of international contacts and gain real-world experience. These opportunities exist for all students, including those who have already come from abroad to complete their bachelor’s studies in Belgium. In fact, last year Howest sent 30% of their international bachelor’s students abroad – for short and long-term mobilities. What’s even better, 87% of those students were granted a scholarship to go abroad!

Don’t miss out!

So, you see, studying abroad is about so much more than simply following courses in a different country. From cultural immersion and academic enrichment to enhanced career prospects, the experience of going abroad is transformative.

Howest University of Applied Sciences recognizes the value of international experience, offering as many opportunities as possible for students to study, intern, and network abroad. These experiences set students up for success in an increasingly interconnected world.

To find out more about the exciting international exchange and English-taught study programs on offer at Howest, check out the website or social media channels, Facebook and Instagram.

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