Why You Should Study Abroad

Did you know that you can get college credit and travel at the same time? It’s true – at Concordia University, Nebraska, you can match with one of many programs that will allow you to spend a semester or summer immersed in the culture of another country, learning not only in the classroom but also through experience. So why should you consider studying abroad, anyway?  

Expand your worldview and perspectives 

Many students have traveled by the time they are in college, but few have spent very long outside of the United States. Studying abroad can provide you with the chance to gain a deeper understanding of another country’s cultural practices, norms and traditions, which can lead to a more profound sense of cultural sensitivity and appreciation.  

Learn to navigate life in a different place 

Of course, you’ve adjusted to college life, but maybe you didn’t move that far away for college or want to experience a way of life that is drastically different from how you’ve always lived. If so, then studying abroad might be for you. Adapting to the daily routine and everyday life of a citizen in another country can be an exhilarating and extremely educational adventure! 

Strengthen language skills 

Whether you began learning a language in high school and want to strengthen your existing skills or have a language you’ve always wanted to learn, studying abroad can be the perfect way to accomplish this. Taking formal language classes and immersing yourself in local culture can both serve as pathways to fluency. Learning a language from native speakers is very different from learning it in U.S. schools. Chances are, not only will you pick up new definitions and learn grammatical structure, but you’ll also learn to speak like a native speaker.  

Gain a “global mindset” 

To have a “global mindset” is to have the ability to appreciate different cultures and traditions, respecting that there is more than one way to problem-solve, socialize, raise a family and engage in many other practices that likely differ between nations. This mindset can help you beyond college, as well; in the modern, global professional world, being able to interact with and understand people from a variety of different cultures is an indispensable skill.  

Experience college in a new way 

Study abroad opportunities offer students the chance to take both general education and more specific college courses in an educational environment outside the United States. Receiving education in your field of choice in a completely different culture can drastically shift how you interact with your discipline. It can also make you a more flexible learner, one who is able to adjust to receiving new information in more than one manner.  

Form lifetime relationships 

Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to attend school and even live with students from your host country. Chances are high that you will develop deep, long-lasting friendships with at least some of the peers you meet abroad. The existence of the Internet makes maintaining contact with your new friends even easier than in the past! Plus, studying abroad, as opposed to taking a short-term mission trip or study tour, allows you far more time to get to know peers from your host country.  

Travel!

Of course, studying abroad is a fantastic way to see a new part of the world! Experiencing education in a foreign country doesn’t have to be all about school work – just like at college in the U.S., you can take time to have fun in addition to completing the tasks you have to do. In a foreign country, however, “having fun” might mean being able to see natural or man-made wonders that you’ve only ever seen in pictures! 

Add to your resume 

Spending a semester or year abroad has the potential to be very attractive to graduate schools and future employers. Admissions officers and employers look upon students with international experience as citizens who have a unique understanding of diversity, are flexible and adaptive, and are willing to step outside of their comfort zone. Studying abroad, therefore, can increase your chances of getting into your top-choice graduate schools or finding a job! 

Learn more about yourself 

You’ll learn many new lessons while spending time in a foreign country, but many of these will not take place inside a traditional classroom. Instead, you might end up in an unexpected or confusing situation that teaches you how you deal with stress. Language barriers could reveal your approach to expressing frustration, and you may find how willing you are to step out of your comfort zone.  

Strengthen your faith 

Most importantly, studying abroad can be a time of development in your faith journey. Although attending school in a foreign country can be a fascinating, exhilarating experience, it can also be lonely, frustrating, or confusing at times – and those are the times that you may find yourself turning to God and relying on Him more than ever. Unexpected changes in plans can build trust in Christ, and potential feelings of isolation while struggling to learn a language may lead you to spend more time talking to the One who you know always understands you.  

Interested in studying abroad? Find out how by visiting the Global Opportunities page.