Marketing Your Study Abroad

How to Market Your Study Abroad Experience

Employers are keenly aware of the global nature of business in the 21st Century and want professional employees who have developed competencies in other cultures. At UE, a majority of students have rated their Study Abroad Experience as the highlight of their college career; take advantage of that enthusiasm by incorporating it into your job search. Among the many benefits of studying abroad, your international experience will be attractive to employers and will be an asset to your job search. You should include this experience on your résumé, in your cover letter, portfolio, and job interviews to fully leverage this life transforming opportunity.

Experiences in other countries offer opportunities for personal growth and exploration as well as the opportunity to build valuable skills and traits that will enhance your ability to compete as a top job candidate! The key to any job search is your ability to communicate the impact and value of your experience to potential employers.

What types of skills and attributes are developed through studying abroad?

The skills and attributes gained while studying abroad are as diverse and varied as each individual's experience. The following list offers examples of skills often developed through living in other countries:

  • Communication skills (including listening and overcoming language barriers)
  • Foreign language skills and 'Cultural Competence'
  • Global point of view, appreciation of diversity, tolerance, cultural awareness, and sensitivity to customs and cultural differences
  • Flexibility and adaptability
  • Motivation and initiative
  • Organizational and time-management skills
  • Ability to identify, set, and achieve goals
  • General travel and navigational skills
  • Problem-solving and crisis-management skills
  • Patience and perseverance
  • Independence , self-reliance, and responsibility
  • Inquisitiveness and assertiveness

Where should I include study-abroad experience on my résumé?

There is no one approach that works for every candidate. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

  • If you participated in a study program and attended classes abroad, you can list the experience in your Education section.
  • If you gained practical work experience while abroad, such as an internship, part-time job, or practicum, you can list it in a Work Experience, Internship Experience, or Career-Related Experience category.
  • You can also include study- and work-abroad programs in a separate category titled International Experience, International Education, etc. This option may be the most appropriate if you've had multiple experiences abroad.
  • Be sure to include accomplishment statements and mention the key skills you developed through these experiences.

Should I discuss my study-abroad experience in my cover letter or during job interviews?

The key to writing a great cover letter and preparing for a job interview is to match your skills and abilities to the needs of the employer. In most cases, international experience will be attractive to employers; you will need to determine what skills will enable you to "sell yourself" best.

Use your cover letter to highlight one or two of your top skills or attributes and refer to your travel experience if appropriate. Your cover letter should spark employers' interest and direct them to your résumé for additional information about your qualifications.

As you get ready for job interviews, prepare stories that highlight your skill sets and reflect on several experiences from your past, including studying abroad. Be sure to tell your story with enthusiasm and genuineness. Employers want to know what meaning you have made out of Studying Abroad. What changes if any did you make in your curriculum, goals or approaches to life? Why would you recommend Studying Abroad to a classmate?

*Adapted from Ball State University's Study Abroad Office

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