Executive summary
, defines studying abroad as an undertaking by a student in a learning institution to study in another country for a definite period. Studying abroad involves learning cultures, languages, and socioeconomic as well as political systems of the host country. Through this lifelong learning experience, students acquire dynamic skills including problem solving, decision making, interpersonal, cross-cultural understanding, as well as self-reliance capabilities that are sort after by many potential employers. This, therefore, implies that study abroad programs are imperative in enabling a graduate secure a lucrative job, especially in a multi-cultural working environment. In addition, studying abroad enables an individual have a worldview, which can influence his or her career choice and consequently employment options.
Introduction
Taking a semester or a year to study abroad has been viewed as an advantageous course in a student’s life. The experience gained continues to affect the life of the student. Most citizens take a semester to two in an abroad university of college to complete some subjects or semesters required for graduation. Study abroad program often comes with a variety of experiences of student life, work environment, culture, language, and sociopolitical systems that shape the student’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are essential in career development. Studying abroad has positive and unfathomed impacts on acquisition of knowledge, attitude, as well as skills required in the job market. , also concurs that the need for globally competent individuals is an indicator that there exists a strong correlation between studying abroad and employability. Many alumni of schools that allow study abroad have also elucidated that by studying abroad influenced their selection and preference of employment options.
As explains, studying abroad improves the student’s understanding of global trends, improves confidence, and influences his or her career path positively. Taking a semester abroad enables a student to develop leadership skills, gain an understanding of transnational cultures, socioeconomic and political systems. Apart from being a rewarding experience, studying abroad also pause challenges to the individual enabling him or her develop problem solving, decision making, and self-reliance capabilities.
, reports that 83% of interns who took an exchange program reported that studying in a foreign country enabled them understand their cultures better, and acquire vital skills that influenced their career development and thus, employability back at home. Others reported that the experience helped them establish beneficial and long lasting friendships as well as better professional relationships than those who did not. They also asserted that Studying abroad increased their self-confidence and enhanced their interest in academic as well as professional development. Further, studying abroad reinforces interest to study foreign languages and gives one an opportunity to study some subjects one would not have accessed at the local learning institution indicates that undertaking an abroad study program enriches one’s curriculum vitae, thus increasing their chances of employment.
,states that domestic internationals, that is, individuals who have had an experience abroad during their studies are preferred by hiring managers because apart from having primary knowledge and competencies required for a given task, they also have multicultural experience and competency. They are, therefore, able to work better in a multinational or multiethnic organization. It has been established that such individuals demonstrate cross-cultural aptitudes in the job market and, therefore, stand a better chance of being employed. This is because it is perceived that they can relate and work well with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Moreover, individuals who study abroad are creative and can apply both familiar and known concepts to solve problems as well as make informed decisions in difficult and unfamiliar circumstances. Apart from having the potential to display an image of cultural diversity for the hiring organization, such graduates are able to take risks and work independently to accomplish their objectives. However, , assert that most learning institutions in the United States have not embraced foreign exchange programs. As a result most of the workers do not have a ‘world view’ attitude and hardly have, intercultural competencies acquired from programs like studying abroad.
, assert that there is an increasing global demand for innovative and highly skilled individuals who have international experience. This is evidenced by the endeavors of developed countries like the United States (U.S) and United Kingdom (U.K) to modify their labor policies to accommodate or consider tertiary students who have been involved in ‘mobility’ or exchange programs., further say that students` exchange program has immense positive influence on future mobility in the labor market. Such individuals have the potential to be employed both in their home countries, and in foreign countries.
According to , taking a course or subject abroad not only makes you committed to your course, but also helps you engage in social activities like humanitarian doings, cultural activities, as well as politics. This enhances one’s interest in international affairs and labor market. Thus, increasing chances of being employed as an international specialist in one’s area of study . Additionally, asserts that 98% of Alumni of University of Wisconsin who studied abroad in an exchange or internship program who found themselves global engagements as well as international careers. This is an indication that taking a course abroad during one’s studies is beneficial in career development and job opportunities. Such students are in a better position to negotiate for both local as well as international projects that require cross-cultural understanding .
, assert that there is increasing demand for multi-culturally experienced individuals in developed nations like U.S and U.K. It has also been established that students graduating from business colleges and universities in the U.S lack international competencies and cross-cultural proficiencies. Despite the value and benefit of learning in a multi-cultural environment, most students in the United Kingdom and U.S schools are not fascinated with other people’s culture and socio-economic systems.
, argue that graduates with international education experience mostly end up in multinational organizations. These companies have global engagements and require traveling internationally on a frequent basis. Such employees form part of the public relations or communications personnel that interacts with international delegations from partnering countries. Thus, graduates with a multicultural experience would be in a better position to promote cooperation and maintain good relations with such partners .
, adds that study abroad programs expose individuals to various challenges that silhouette his or her way of thinking that shapes his or her career path. Apart from looking for intellectual capability, enthusiasm and interpersonal skills, , reports that employers also look for multicultural individuals with a global mindset. Thus, graduates with history of going for an abroad program become better candidates in such employing institutions. For this reason, students who have attended a foreign student exchange program like the ERASMUS program in the European Union internationalize their careers and this increases their chances of employment .
, advises that with the globalization trend and its impacts, it is essential for a college or university student to consider undertaking study abroad approach as this can be a lifetime experience that shapes one’s career path. From its survey,, established that 98% of students who study abroad get a chance to learn the culture of their host country. In addition, it was ascertained that 56% of graduates who studied abroad secured employment soon after graduation. This is because they had intercultural competencies and global understanding of issues, an aptitude that was being looked for by employers. From these findings, it is clear that studying abroad has a profound impact on graduate employability that remains unfathomed.
Conclusion
Many potential employers look for graduates with both technical and soft skills. In addition, others look for graduates with a global image and international experience. It is now clear that graduates who have international competencies are better placed in the job market than those without. However, as much as employers express interest in potential employees who have studied abroad, most of them have not advocated for modification of curriculum and training to incorporate exchange programs. It is for this reason that recommends modification of teaching and learning curriculum as well as policies to allow learners undertakes a ‘study abroad’ program. Considering the benefit of studying abroad, global learning should be made available to everyone. Thus, for one to succeed in the modern world, the job market has continued to express demand for multi-cultural understanding, flexibility, easy adaptability, and better socio-political consciousness . Therefore, taking a study abroad period while one is still a student is the approach one can take to develop such job market requirements.
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