It is not uncommon for students to study abroad for at least one semester. Whether it be to Spain, Italy, or Australia, many students have taken a leap of faith and traveled to a foreign country for the sake of experience. Almost all of the students who come back after a semester overseas have come home with a new appreciation for travel and endless memories. Unfortunately, studying abroad for all students is not so practical or plausible. Becoming a student in another country comes with a heavy price that might not seem right for a college student struggling to get by on his or her own, and that is why many have chosen to work abroad after college as opposed to studying abroad while still in college. There are a variety of post-graduation work programs in other countries that are looking for American graduates to shake up the work field. The programs can last from as short as six months to as long as two years, depending on visas and permissions, and it could end up as a permanent stay if you extend your work visa or apply for citizenship. No matter how long one plans to stay in their foreign country of choice, it is a grand experience that will change your life in a number of ways.
1. You will learn how to be independent from family and friends.
Even if you have been away at college for months on end, you always end up back at home with your family and friends during holiday vacations. Imagine being away from your friends and family for almost a year, possibly half way across the world. Now, your safety net is gone and you have to learn how to be independent from the people who have helped you through many situations in life. Granted, you will be able to call and contact them whenever, but there will be a much greater gap and you will have to learn to truly live and be on your own.
2. You may have to learn another language and you will get to experience another culture.
Perhaps this does not apply to everyone as some countries speak primarily in English, but in many countries it is expected of citizens to speak different languages. In countries such as Spain and Germany, where people speak their native language far more than English, it would be in your best interest to learn the language of the land. Whether or not you learn the language before you move to the country, you may end up learning the language either way to get by. Not only will you be motivated to learn the language and dialect of the country you are in, but you will also be able to live within and experience another culture first hand.
3. It will look amazing on a future job application.
Let's be real, that internship you spent months at will not stand out as much as you think it will. Internships seem to now be the standard and everyone is doing them which means doing an internship is expected by employers. If an employer sees that you spent over a year in another country, they will see that this feature alone on your application is a huge positive. It shows that you are able to deal with change, adapt, and have great networking skills among people of different cultures and countries. It will stand out.
4. There might be more opportunity outside of your country.
Decent paying jobs can be hard to find these days, especially within over-populated fields of work where hundreds of people are fighting for one open position. Moving to another country post graduation might open up more opportunities for you in your particular field because every country in the world has different demands.
5. You will likely save more money.
Of course, this one really depends on where you are going, but in the long run you will most likely save more money than you would have if you didn't temporarily work outside of the country. Living in a foreign country may reduce the urge to be materialistic because materialism is bred from feeling too comfortable. Basically, being materialistic means that we are bored or unhappy, and we believe that this item will give us something more. Having an entire country to explore leaves out the possibility of being too content and bored off the table and makes for a wonderful adventure that will save you from materialistic urges.
Change is something we all need to truly find ourselves and spending time outside of your comfort zone will be a great asset for the future. You will improve your interpersonal and networking skills, and broaden your connections. But, most of all, you will be able to experience unforgettable memories and moments that you might not be able to do in the future when you are settled.
