Going Global

Last week I was enticed to attend a seminar on traveling abroad in the Memorial Union at the University of Rhode Island.  Initially, I went because if I was one of the first 50 people in line I would be eligible for a free passport.  Yes, free! I’ve never had a passport so I saw this as an opportunity to snatch one.  After I got to the seminar, I listened to a woman speak about the benefits of studying abroad.  In my underclassmen years I wanted to study abroad in Greece, but I finished almost all of my general education courses within the first year and a half.  I didn’t think there was really a possibility of me going abroad without getting behind.  What I really wanted was my free passport!  However, the speaker said there are travel abroad programs for students who are recent graduates too.  The woman also spoke about the perks of going overseas and why employers are hiring more students who traveled abroad in college.  When the lecture was over, I searched Online to see why employers are hiring more students who are willing to travel. 

In an article I found from TheChronicle, Karen Fischer writes how employers are not necessarily impressed with where students travel, but what they have learned overseas.  The article continues to say it’s unfortunate some students don’t know what to tell the employer about their abroad experience.  I understand that sipping on a tropical drink while basking in the sun on a white sandy beach is pretty awesome, but employers want to hear more about getting a grasp on non-American culture. And by this, I don’t mean “sampling” rum each country has to offer.  Think more along the lines of participating in traditions and community activities to understand foreign culture.  How will traveling abroad benefit your future? 

An employer is willing to hire more students that have studied abroad because it shows you are mature, independent, responsible, and a risk-taker.  If you study overseas, an employer will also be able to tell you are willing to step outside your comfort zone and adjust to different environments. 

Did you know that over 270,000 students traveled abroad between 2009 through 2011?  I read the statistics in an Online article, “Why Americans are choosing to study abroad in record numbers,” from NBC.  The statistics came from the Institute of International Education and reported that the number of students traveling abroad has tripled over the last 20 years.  The article said, "For American students to be competitive in today's globalized world, international experience is critically important.  Young people who study abroad gain the global skills necessary to create solutions to 21st Century challenges." Another key point the article makes is that “students know their careers are going to be global.”  Going abroad gives students understanding of what’s going on in the world outside the United States and allows them to have firsthand experience.  

For more information click the links provided here.
Happy traveling!