The benefits of international students

From planning your journey to leaving your family and friends and settling into a new environment, becoming an international student is challenging. But the benefits of being an international student are undeniable – international students enrich their host communities while gaining invaluable personal and professional advantages.

In this post, we explore how international students contribute to the world around them and why so many choose to study abroad. From the excitement of traveling to a new country to the lasting impact on local communities, there’s never been a better time to embrace the journey of being an international student.

Meet the international student

For hundreds of years, scholars and students around the world have traveled far from their homelands to pursue knowledge and academic excellence. Pythagoras, Plato and Aristotle all spent time studying in Africa. Mahatma Gandhi obtained his law degree in London. Bill Clinton graduated from Oxford University, and South African Elon Musk studied in Canada before heading to the U.S. 

An international student is an academic ambassador. They carry the values and cultural traits of their own countries with them into the classrooms and lecture halls of host nations. They often enrich and enhance the intellectual and cultural diversity of their surroundings. They face language, cultural and often procedural obstacles. And yet, they find ways to strive to overcome and succeed, inspiring others to do the same. 

It’s no wonder the student pursuing an international education is revered and admired wherever they go.

Why students choose to study internationally 

Before we explore the benefits of being an international student, let’s first unpack the reasons students opt to study abroad. In an era when much learning takes place through mobile and computer screens, some wonder why people still ambitiously pursue the chance to further their education overseas. 

• Opportunities

Studying abroad provides an array of opportunities local institutions often cannot provide, such as access to world-class research facilities or unique cultural immersion programs. An international education is especially attractive for students pursuing specialized or in-demand careers – for example, studying renewable energy engineering in Germany or fashion design in Italy, where industry expertise and resources are unmatched. 

• Better schools

Nations such as the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom are home to some of the best colleges and universities in the world. While schools in other countries are making strides, those in developed Western nations currently excel in offering top-tier faculties, cutting-edge research facilities, and unmatched opportunities – whether in the form of diverse academic programmes, internships with leading global companies, or pathways to high-paying jobs post-graduation.

• Global exposure

Exposure to new ideas drives innovation and progress. Studying abroad allows students to engage with and learn from people from different cultures and walks of life and expands understanding of the world. 

• Financial reasons

While higher education abroad can be expensive, overseas institutions may offer scholarship programs and student loans that home countries simply cannot afford to provide. Large U.S. universities enjoy far greater access to financial aid resources than most others around the world, and many have initiatives dedicated to funding international student studies.  

• Specialized studies

Only a select few universities offer specialized courses and fields of study. For instance, students interested in aerospace engineering might opt for institutions like MIT in the U.S. or Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, while those pursuing viticulture and oenology (the study of winemaking) may choose universities in France or Australia. Students looking to pursue a career in one of these limited fields may have no other choice but to travel abroad to do so. 

The benefits of being an international student

Now that we’ve explored the reasons some people choose to pursue an international education, let’s look at the benefits of being an international student. 

Career prospects

Prospective employers may see an international education as an asset on a job application. Anyone who has successfully completed a course or graduated with a degree in a foreign country will likely have overcome challenges and difficulties that local graduates presumably didn’t face.

This demonstrates perseverance and commitment to potential employers. An international education provides a skill set that’s different from – and more valuable than – that of local job market competitors, such as adaptability, cross-cultural communication, problem-solving in unfamiliar environments, multilingualism, and the ability to work effectively in diverse teams. 

The experience

Exploring a new campus. Meeting new people. The food. Music. Entertainment. People love new things, and there’s no richer experience than discovering something completely new – especially in a foreign country. 

These memories and encounters will stay with you for the rest of your life and may even help you in your career. 

Networking

One of the biggest advantages of being an international student is the networking opportunities you’ll have during and after completing your studies. International students are encouraged to build relationships to leverage professionally during their time abroad and after. 

If you’re thinking about pursuing an international master’s degree, or are considering staying in the country you chose to study in, what better way to get a foot in the professional door than by using your network. 

Gaining skills and knowledge

Many international students benefit from high-quality equipment and resources available while studying abroad. For example, students studying medicine in the U.S. might have access to advanced simulation labs with cutting-edge technology for hands-on training, while engineering students in Germany can work with state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment for prototyping. These resources are often unavailable at home and are invaluable to developing new skills.

And let’s not forget the advantages of passing these critical skills on to your compatriots. 

Social development

From parties and social get-togethers to campus clubs, events and even sporting activities, the social development opportunities available to international students can change a person’s character for the better.  

By actively participating in these social activities, international students can make new friends, learn more about the local culture and enjoy campus life.   

How local communities and institutions benefit from international students

It’s clear there are many benefits of being an international student, but what about the local communities and institutions hosting these foreign academics? What’s in it for them? 

Diversity

Diversity of thought, character and presence are valuable commodities benefiting schools, communities and even whole countries. 

Many campuses host international students from many different countries, and their diversity and melting pot of ideas adds to the tapestry of their surroundings. There’s even an index that ranks universities based on international student diversity. 

New ideas

When people from different backgrounds come together, their ideas blend and interact, creating something fresh and powerful. A student from Africa understands the power of community in a different way than one from a sparsely populated country. A student from Europe appreciates the impact of seasonal weather shifts compared to someone who grew up in the tropics. And a student hailing from a country with a difficult political history can add perspective to a political discussion. 

This mixing of ideas leads to new possibilities and opportunities that filter down through the local community, inspiring and impacting everyone.  

Exposure to an international presence

Towns and cities that have been populated by traditional or native groups for generations will inevitably benefit from the presence of people from other parts of the world. This adds to the local view of the global community, enriching their own experiences and the regional profile. 

Finding ways to actively participate in the community is a powerful way to magnify the presence of members of the international community. 

Revenue

More people in a community means more money flowing into that community. From rentals to buying food, gas and even contributing through local taxes, everything adds to the local economy. This economic participation by international students is a significant benefit for small businesses and local governments. 

Even international students depending on student loans and financial aid will spend portions of their allowance in the local economy. 

How international students are benefitting the world – and themselves

Becoming an international student involves taking a path most other students will never walk. This – sometimes challenging – road builds character, teaches valuable skills and delivers lifelong confidence

International students aren’t tourists but have an opportunity to engage with local communities by living, working and studying among the local residents. And when it’s time to return home or move on to begin a new career elsewhere, the experiences, skills and knowledge acquired become invaluable assets.  

Being an international student is such a beneficial and rewarding experience, not just for you, but for your friends and family back home and the community privileged to host you. Discover the incredible benefits of being an international student enjoyed by so many already on this journey. Find your international education funding options with International Education and Financial Aid today!

Posted in Uncategorized