10 reasons why studying abroad will change your life

You'll hear everyone say it: going abroad for your studies is life-changing and totally worth it. When you go abroad, you'll gain... 

...independence  

Moving to a different country for your studies abroad means you'll need to rely on yourself. This includes taking care of yourself, keeping your surroundings clean, managing your own finances, eating properly, navigating your day-to-day life, and solving problems on your own. You're really stepping out of the comfort zone here! By doing so, you'll become independent and build essential skills that will set you up for future success. 

...appreciation for different cultures 

Living in a foreign country exposes you to new customs, traditions, and habits. Did you know that Dutch people are very punctual and that being late or handing in work late is not appreciated? In Spain, it's a custom to make group plans (like going for drinks and tapas) and people usually get to know each other very quickly. By immersing yourself in different cultures, you’ll start to appreciate and develop more understanding of diversity all around the world. 

...a broader perspective  

Experiencing life in a different country gives you insight into different issues and perspectives. This can make you more empathetic towards people from different backgrounds or with a different view of life and will make you more open-minded.  

...language skills 

What's the best way to learn a language? Right - immersing yourself into the language! And there's no better way to do that than to be surrounded by native speakers. Reading signs, listening to radio and conversations, ordering your food, and just hearing the language all around you will accelerate you towards fluency. 

...increased confidence 

Overcoming challenges by yourself and adapting to a new environment will boost your self-confidence. By pushing your own boundaries, you are guaranteed to start believing in your own abilities. When you return from your adventure of studying abroad, you'll feel more confident and empowered than ever.  

...essential skills for your career 

A lot of the soft skills you learn while studying abroad, such as language skills, confidence, assertiveness, adaptability, problem-solving and open-mindedness, can be applied in your professional career. After spending time abroad, nothing is too big for you to handle! And with that mindset, you're one step ahead in the career game. 

...travel opportunities 

Studying abroad is the perfect opportunity for exploring new destinations and diving into the culture and history of the country you're staying in. Whether it's a day trip, a weekend getaway, or a week-long break, traveling will become an integral part of your experience abroad.  

...lifelong friends 

One of the best things about studying abroad is the diverse people you will meet from all over the world. With their different backgrounds, passions, perspectives, you can be sure to create memorable and unique connections that will stay in place even when you're separated.  

...memories you'll never forget 

Engaging with new people, embarking on great adventures, and doing once-of-a-lifetime activities you couldn't possibly do at home... The memories of your time studying abroad will always stay in your heart, your mind, and your phone's photo album (so make sure to take plenty of pictures for whenever you want to relive the experience).  

...appreciation for home 

Lastly, living abroad will also deepen the appreciation you have for your home country and culture. You may feel grateful for things you have at home, such as familiar foods, customs and relationships. As much as you enjoy being abroad or traveling, you'll start to love being home so much more, too! 

In conclusion, if you have the opportunity to study abroad or do an internship abroad, take the opportunity with open arms. You won’t regret it!