THE ADVANTAGES OF STUDYING ABROAD

 Studying abroad offers a unique opportunity to grow academically, professionally, and personally while going on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.There are many personal benefits of studying abroad, and ways to grow both professionally and personally. Studying abroad opens a window to a new world

 In fact, choosing to study abroad can be one of the most enriching, fulfilling, interesting and educationally stimulating experiences of your entire life. In our world today, there are a variety of study abroad opportunities in almost every country, so studying in your dream land is easier now that it has ever been. Still wondering "Why study abroad" Read on!

Experience a new culture

 The biggest reason you should consider a study abroad program is the opportunity to see the world . By studying abroad, you will experience a brand-new country with incredible new outlooks, customs and activities. The benefits of studying abroad include the opportunity to see new terrains, natural wonders, museums and landmarks of your host nation. Many students who choose to study abroad are leaving their home for the first time. When they arrive in their new host country, they are fascinated by the distinct cultural perspectives. When you study abroad you will find incredible new foods, customs, traditions, and social atmospheres. By interacting with locals, you can develop an appreciation for the culture and its differences from your own. Growing up and residing in one country tends to give us a limited view of our world. Traveling outside the country will show you how Azerbaijan affects and fits into global society, and how you as an individual fit into this world. From the vantage point of someone else's culture, you can truly see your own, and by being exposed to so many diverse traditions you will better understand the significance of them.

Make friends from around the world

 One of the biggest benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to meet new lifelong friends from different backgrounds. While studying abroad, you will attend school and live with students from your host country. This gives you the opportunity to really get to know and create lasting relationships with your fellow students. It's likely that the university you choose for your international studies will have a large community of students both from the local area and all around the globe. If you take full advantage of this opportunity, you could graduate having established lasting friendships with people based in many different countries - great for future trips, and also a good basis for international professional network. Study abroad returnees often report meeting others with whom they expected to have no common ground and then discovered that, despite being from different parts of the globe, they have much in common and much to learn from one another. These relationships, insights, and outlooks are a critical part of the study abroad experience. You'll network with fellow students, teachers, host families and professionals, often leading to many great opportunities.

 Develop your language skills

 For many international students, studying abroad is a chance to develop language skills, either through studying in a second language or by practicing the language spoken locally. Language skills obtained while studying abroad will always be beneficial to the student and their home country in both the short- and long-term. If you've studied a language for several years and wish to gain fluency in that language, studying abroad is a vital way to make that wish come true. You may already be fluent in a second language, or you might study abroad in one of the many countries where English is spoken as a first language. However, studying abroad can provide you with a perfect opportunity to learn a new foreign language. Being surrounded by native speakers affords you the chance to immerse yourself in the language, which can expedite your retention and fluency. Furthermore, if you travel to a country in which the primary language is one you’ve studied in school, you can add to your vocabulary colloquial words and phrases that may not appear in the textbooks.

Become truly independent

 There is nothing quite like being on your own in a foreign country. You might find that studying abroad really brings out your independent nature. Students who study abroad become explorers of their new nation and really discover the curiosity and excitement that they harbor. A benefit to studying abroad is the opportunity to discover yourself while gaining an understanding of a different culture. Being in a new place by yourself can be overwhelming at times, and it tests your ability to adapt to diverse situations while being able to problem solve. While on the one hand, being away from friends and family can seem daunting, it is also a chance for you to hone your own skills and gain some independence. Whether it’s washing your laundry or buying groceries, you will learn to take responsibility for your actions.

 When you return home, your increased independence will be very useful – it can help you in your job search, at home, or in your day-to-day routines. The self-reliance and global sensitivity students gain from studying abroad can help them in their personal and professional pursuits. 

Career opportunities 

 The experiences you take advantage of abroad can influence the rest of your life in regards to career goals. You will probably discover a new found passion which could influence your major or career path, or maybe you will decide you want to work abroad or learn a new language. When you finish your study abroad program and return home, you will return with a new perspective on culture, language skills, a great education, and a willingness to learn. Needless to say, all of these are very attractive to future employers.

 Employers value prospective candidates with international experience, foreign language skills, and the ability to communicate across cultures. Use your experience studying abroad to expand your set of abilities, and make these a determining factor that will separate you from the others in a pool of applicants.

Find interests 

If you are still questioning why to study abroad, you should know that studying in a different country offers many new activities and interests that you may never have discovered if you’d stayed at home. You might find that you have an as-yet undiscovered talent for hiking, water sports, snow skiing, golf, or various other new sports you may never have tried back home. You’ll also have the chance to discover other new and exciting forms of entertainment. Plays, movies, dancing, nightclubs, and concerts are just a few activities that you can enjoy. Studying abroad is a chance for you to be adventurous, explore the unknown, and try your hand at activities that may not be offered in your home state.