Studying abroad: new soft skills
1. Independence
The farther you move away from your family, the more independent you become. Being on your own in a foreign country will change your perception of the world. Studying abroad means going through challenging times that forces you to be independent and adapt.
You will need to discover for yourself the norms of your host country and learn to fit in your new-found environment. This will help you break down any mental barriers and overcome your fears, and above all to realise that you are capable of more than you thought!
2. Cross-cultural awareness and tolerance
When studying abroad, you are in constant contact with students from different nationalities. Whether the differences are slight or significant, you will learn a lot about their cultures and mindsets.
This will change your perception and open up new horizons. You will gain greater adaptability and cultural sensitivity, among the best qualities you can develop while studying abroad!
3. Language skills
One of the most significant benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to master a foreign language. When you live in another country, you automatically pick up the local language. This is an experiential learning experience that is often far more valuable than learning from books!
In addition, speaking and writing several languages will help you stand out from the crowd in the job market. It will make it easier to apply for jobs abroad, notably in international trade.
4. Social skills
Communication is not only about being able to speak a foreign language. Studying in another country can also develop your general social skills. Immersion in an unfamiliar environment teaches you to pay more attention to communication and build relationships with other students.
This experience will broaden your professional network and develop your understanding of others, as well as your soft skills that are crucial to finding a job in your home country or abroad after graduating.
Find out how you can stay and work in France after graduation.
5. Personal growth and self-discovery
When you travel abroad on a study programme, your whole environment changes and creates changes in you as well. By stepping into this new and unfamiliar world, you will get to know yourself better and be able to assess your strengths and weaknesses.
You will discover a broader picture of the world, and many new possibilities that are available to you. You may also find a new passion or discover different career paths!
6. Adaptability
Studying abroad introduces you to another way of thinking and different approaches to higher education. Teaching and learning styles differ from country to country, and you will have to get accustomed to new teaching methods.
This experience will develop your adaptability and flexibility abilities to cope with unpredictable situations and circumstances in the future. These soft skills will boost your employability and are necessary for your career growth.
7. Confidence and leadership
Studying in a foreign country will give you more confidence and self-esteem when making decisions and trusting your capabilities. You will have to overcome many challenges, showing your strength of will and character. This experience abroad will help you grow and allow you to step out of your comfort zone.
Effective leadership relies on communication, confidence, intellectual and emotional strength, all of which you will get to exercise while studying abroad. In any workplace situation, having strong leadership and team management skills is essential.
8. Self-discipline and problem-solving
To overcome certain career obstacles, you will make judgments on your own, relying on your intuition and experience. While studying abroad, you will be able to learn how to recognise and solve business and everyday issues.
This experience will also teach you patience and discipline in all aspects of life. Self-discipline is key to a successful career, and it concerns everything from organising your leisure activities to time management skills. Pursuing your studies abroad will help you adopt these skills highly valued by potential employers.
9. International experience
Graduates with study experience abroad are in high demand among employers. According to the Erasmus Impact Study, 92 percent of companies seek employees with transversal skills, such as problem-solving and decision-making skills, confidence, and tolerance, often gained from international study experience, and 64 percent of employers highly value international experience for recruitment.
A resume with international experience will impress potential employers. It will show you as a high achiever and can help launch your career and make you more competitive in the job market.
10. Maturity
Finally, one of the main benefits of studying abroad is the possibility of becoming more mature. Immaturity may be a turn-off for an employer searching for the perfect candidate.
Before starting your career path, it might be helpful to take some time to learn more about yourself and work on your personality development. Your maturity level will increase as you study in a foreign country and gain more experience and expertise. That will shape you into an independent and grown-up individual, ready to succeed in your future career.
Study abroad with KEDGE Business School
Do you want to study business in France ? KEDGE Business School offers 23 international programmes for undergraduate, postgraduate, and exchange students. These are open enrolment and personalised training courses specifically designed to meet the needs of students, institutional partners, companies, and clients. You can also apply for one of our high-quality short-term programmes such as International Summer School and International Winter School. All of them will provide you with a first-rate higher education, boosting your employability.
