Why has it become so popular to study
abroad?
By Elisabeth
Taking studies abroad has become a trend, and it is a hot topic amongst today’s
adventurous youth. Students, often at the age around 19 leave their home, ready to
take on their new life. For many, this is the first time travelling without their parents. In
the year 1994-95, 8249 students left their safe home in Norway, to go and study
abroad. But since then, in less than ten years, the number has almost tripled, as last
year the number of students going abroad was 23 442. But why has this adventurous,
scary and long term travelling become so popular?
Young adults, who have taken their studies abroad, are twice as likely to find a job
straight after their studies. Employers have started to see benefits of having people
understanding a different culture, as today´s world just keeps getting smaller and
smaller, the need of people with a knowledge in international relations has increased.
“We believe that more and more employers are realizing the extraordinary benefits of
study abroad, and are seeking out graduates who have had study abroad experiences.
Key jobs skills such as adaptability, global understanding and tolerance, leadership, and
independence are directly fostered by learning and living abroad,” said Dr. Mary M.
Dwyer, President and CEO of IES Abroad.
As an international student, they will get to know so many people, from all over the
world. They will learn how to adapt into a different culture, and how to act around
different people. They will even gain social skills, you can only learn while travelling. A
famous quote from the past president of the peace organization Rotary is
“if every person went on a exchange, there would be world peace”.
This is one of the reasons students are especially attractive to international companies.
So when these young adults at the age of 19 can make different cultures work together,
why cannot adults do this? Why does it have to be war in this world?
Students will improve their language skills, and they will know how to be fluent in at
least two languages. This is highly needed today and in the future, as the world just
keeps on getting smaller. Students will be able to work in a different country, and so
they will not be locked to their home country. The world needs to join together as one,
and how can someone do this without being able to communicate with each other?
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.
If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” – Nelson Mandela
So why has international studying become so popular? It opens up opportunities and it
makes people get a different view of the world. The world needs people who know how
to meet others from another culture. They learn skills people would never learn, of
staying in their home country. Students will feel more important, as they can give a
helping hand in bringing peace to this world. They meet people, they would never have
met at home, and have friends all over the world! Maybe the world will not seem as
scary anymore. As an international student, the person will become a citizen of the
world, not just of a country.