How Study Abroad Experiences Can Boost Your Resume
Welcome to our interactive community, where we journey together through the exciting world of intercultural learning. Today’s topic has immense significance for all students—studying abroad!
Considered by many as a transformative experience, studying abroad offers more than just the lure of travel. It's an opportunity to learn about different cultures, foster personal development, and yes, even bolster that increasingly crucial component of your professional toolkit - your resume.
Studying abroad is not just an adventure, it can also be an opportunity to gain valuable skills and experiences highly sought after in today's globalized world. By studying overseas, you can accelerate your academic and career path. In the following text, we will discuss how studying abroad can potentially boost your career and academic trajectory.

Cultural Appreciation & Global Competency:
Studying abroad can enhance your resume by showing potential employers or graduate schools that you're adaptable, open-minded, and ready to engage with global perspectives.

Practical Learning and Skill Development:
Study abroad experiences offer an unparalleled opportunity to develop practical skills in real-world contexts, something that employers especially value. This includes language proficiency, problem-solving, and field-specific skills.

Networking Opportunities:
The connections made during a study abroad experience can lead to future employment, internships, or higher education opportunities.
Let's explore how the experiences of our students demonstrate these benefits:
- Cultural Appreciation and Global Competency: In her episode on the Toucan Abroad Podcast, social science student, Sara Burnosky, illustrates this perfectly. She immersed herself in Belize's unique culture and customs while conducting research and working with local youth and families on the topic of reproductive health, demonstrating cultural appreciation and global competency that future employers and graduate schools admire.
- Practical Learning and Skill Development: Public health major, Phoebe's experience in Belize, contributes greatly to this aspect. Phoebe had the opportunity to apply her academic learnings directly in the community. Teaching children about health education in a different cultural and economic context honed her public health skills and her adaptability and problem-solving capabilities.
- Networking Opportunities: The time Ariana spent studying abroad in Belize allowed her to work closely with a local high school. Such experiences can lead to the making of lifelong connections that could open doors to unforeseen opportunities in her future career or academic path.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Beyond the allure of exploring a new country lies the profound impact that studying abroad has on your career and personal growth. It fosters cultural appreciation, enhances practical skills development, and provides robust networking opportunities. But more than that, it shapes adaptable, resilient global citizens — like Sara, Phoebe, or Ariana. Their stories illuminate the impact of international study experiences on career and academic progression and personal development.

Are you considering studying abroad or have experiences to share? We would love to hear from you.
Engage with us in the comments below and continue this enriching conversation on intercultural learning and professional growth. Remember, the world is just a study abroad program away.