During my degree, I spent a year as an international student and I found that I learned so much during that year and proved to be the most valuable session of my career. It was not just the grammar but politics, history and economics I learned in class and I have implemented those skills since then, but the skills I learned from the experience of studying outside my comfort zone are still far greater above all. Now, eight years later, my job is to support students who wish to take that big step of studying in the UK or anywhere in the world.
Concerns and Considerations for Going Abroad: Talk More, Learn More
The first concern that comes to most students considering an international education is communication. No doubt that everything is at least ten times more difficult when you have to communicate in a language that you do not get naturally. This is a barrier that can be overcome quickly if you're willing to face, and there is only one way to do: talking! Talk to your classmates, talk to the locals, talk to your professors, ask questions, make friends, make mistakes and passes shame: you'll be amazed how quickly you improve your language skills and how comfortable it will eventually resulting you to communicate in English. The ability to understand does matter and you understand people in a totally different environment that is something that you will never lose, and any employer demonstrates that you are an effective and clear that it is willing to learn and adapt communication. English has been adopted as the language of the world, so I speak it fluently. It will be a requirement for employers now and in the future.
Traveling and Living Along Far Away Makes You More Independent and Confident
It is a big step to put your life in a suitcase and away from the comfort of friends and family, committing your time and money into something almost completely unknown. You will experience culture shock, you feel nostalgia and need support. In my case, once I had taken my first solo flight, made my home some unknown accommodation, enrolled in college and met people who felt the potential to be my friends, I had this great feeling of "You did it!” Great determination, courage and a bit of hard work is needed to make a living out of your comfort zone, and international experience in your CV is a clear indicator of someone who is willing to adapt to change, to think broadly and work hard to create what they want.
Studying abroad gives you the perfect opportunity to develop, simultaneously, knowledge; skills and confidence as well as to any future employer demonstrate that these attributes will come naturally. Not for the faint of making such an important decision and do not move away from home heart, but for most it is a large and valuable challenge outweigh guarantees. Therefore, plan your experience thoroughly and properly prepare for your game, but the best advice is that sets you to the pool, to experience as much as possible and you will find that you learn, grow and change in ways you never thought possible.
