Over the years, students coming back from studying abroad have a common thing to say about their experience – it is life changing. Though this has always been the prevailing belief, it wasn’t until 2004 that a formal study was carried out to determine just how studying abroad affects a person’s life. The study carried out by a leading name in international education defined categories such as personal development, academic commitment, intercultural development, and career development.

Students who have had the chance to spend some time away from their home country echo the general sentiment that their experience has made them more mature persons. More so, foreign students have formed lasting friendships with their fellow students who were native to the country of their study. Other positive changes to one’s personal development were tolerance to ambiguity and increased self-confidence.

In terms of intercultural awareness, students who have had exposure to other cultures due to the time spent abroad claim that they understand other people’s point of view much better. More importantly perhaps, they have a better understanding of their own culture and biases as perceived by an outsider. Indeed, this is a good thing for future leaders who may have the chance to impact their own country and even the world.

More than the way of life, students who have experienced staying abroad also acquired skills and knowledge. Learning a foreign language, for example, is one of the leading advantages of studying abroad. The longer one stays in another country, the more one benefits from this. If the time they spend in the country does not permit them to learn the language fully, then there is still the increased commitment to learn a foreign language, which is surely a good thing for anyone.

Foreign students also seem to acquire a stronger sense of academic commitment. This goes on to have an effect in their future choices with respect to educational decisions. Last, but definitely not the least, students who have studied abroad acquired skills and ideas that eventually influenced their career path.

Experiences – both the good and the bad – vary from person to person. Yet the fact remains that studying abroad can change a young person’s life in ways that may not be possible if one remains in his country of origin forever.