To have an international experience by studying abroad is a
great way to enrich your college experience. Students have the
opportunity to receive Spanish college credit in any of the
School’s levels of Spanish while discovering an exotic
and bio diverse country.
A Powerfull Experience
After studying abroad, most students never view their
education in the same way again. It often influences subsequent
educational endeavours, including the decision to pursue
higher degrees. Surveys show that more than 52 percent
of students who study abroad indicated that they had achieved
a post-graduate degree, compared to the 9 percent of U.S.
Americans obtaining graduate degrees as reported by the
U.S. Census Bureau*. More than 80 percent of respondents
agreed that studying abroad had enhanced their interest
in academic study.
Study abroad students return home with a greater vigor
for academic pursuits and a renewed interest in lifelong
learning. Nearly 63 percent of students said that the
experience had influenced their decisions to expand or
change their academic majors. In fact, nearly 90 percent
of students indicated that their experiences abroad had
influenced all their subsequent educational experiences.
For those students who studied abroad to improve or develop
foreign language skills, experiencing a language firsthand—in
the streets of a foreign city, in a local university course
or while living with local roommates—made an indelible
impact on their foreign language skills. Nearly 35 percent
of the students who studied a foreign language abroad
still use a language other than English on a regular basis
(twice a month). Spanish was cited as the most commonly
used language, followed by French and German.
Launch your Career
Listing a study abroad experience on your resume can
also enhance your chances for job success. Having taken
this initiative not only says something about your academic
achievements, but also about your personal ambition and
determination. More and more employers are seeking out
culturally aware and experienced employees who can work
effectively in an increasingly global workplace. Our statistics
show that the influence of study abroad on future career
goals and choices is profound, especially for those students
who participated in an internship while abroad. Kathleen
Turaski (IES London 1992), a University of Georgia graduate,
wrote that her internship at The National Portrait Gallery
in London was “the impetus to return [to London]
in 1995 to attend St. Martin for a master’s in communication
design. The international experiences have been a driving
force in my design and career.”
Internships are an unrivaled way to experience local
culture in the workplace and to improve foreign language
skills, as well as to diversify your work experience.
Of the 596 students who responded that they had interned
while abroad, 70 percent agreed that the experience had
sparked an interest in a career direction they ended up
pursuing after their experiences abroad. It is becoming
increasingly popular to intern while abroad. Eight out
of ten students who had interned abroad said that they
had acquired skill sets that influenced their future career
paths, such as working for a multi-national organization,
getting a job overseas or volunteering internationally.
Summary of Benefits:
Academic Advantages:
• Learn about a new culture
• Experience a new and different academic system
• Study subjects that are not offered at your College
• Improve your foreign language skills or learn
a new language
• Gain an international perspective on an area of
study
Personal Advantages:
• Independence
• Meet new people and make new friends
• Adventure and fun
• Travel and explore new places
• Grow in self-confidence
• Gain a broader outlook on life
• Improve cross-cultural communication skills
Career Advantages:
• Build international links
• Give yourself a competitive edge
• Make your resume stand out
Note: Contact the study abroad office or Spanish
language department at your college prior to starting
the program. Present your plan and ask exactly what is
required in order to be assured that you will earn credits
for your studies abroad. Universal de Idiomas will provide
syllabi and other documentation typically needed by universities
and colleges in order to complete credit arrangements.
