Are you wondering where to put study abroad on your resume?
Studying abroad is a great experience for college students to have. There are so many benefits to studying abroad, including…
- Cultural immersion: Studying abroad provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture, allowing for a firsthand experience of customs, traditions, and daily life in another country. This exposure promotes cultural understanding, tolerance, and appreciation for diversity.
- Language acquisition: Living in a foreign country provides an ideal environment for language learning. By interacting with native speakers on a daily basis, you can enhance your language skills, improve fluency, and gain confidence in using a new language.
- Personal growth and independence: Studying abroad encourages personal growth and self-discovery. It challenges you to step out of your comfort zone, adapt to new situations, and develop resilience. Being away from familiar support systems fosters independence, decision-making skills, and a sense of responsibility.
- Enhanced academic and professional opportunities: Studying abroad often exposes you to different academic approaches, methodologies, and perspectives. You can enroll in unique courses, work with renowned professors, and gain exposure to cutting-edge research or industry practices. Such experiences can enrich your academic knowledge and enhance your future career prospects.
- Expanded global network: Studying abroad allows you to form connections with people from around the world. Building an international network can be valuable for future collaborations, career opportunities, and a broader understanding of global issues.
But how can you capture that experience and put it on your resume?
Here’s everything you need to know about including study abroad on your resume!
Should You Put Study Abroad On Resume?
You should absolutely put your study abroad experience on your resume.
When I was in college, I studied abroad for one semester. I was actually applying for a summer internship while I was still abroad during the spring, and it came up during my interview.
I was able to tell a story from my study abroad about navigating life in a foreign country to answer one of the interview questions. My three interviewers were all impressed with my response, and interested in my study abroad experience overall.
Later on, I got the internship and one of my interviewers told me that was why! Most other students just gave examples from other jobs they had worked or class projects in order to answer this question, but I was the only one who related a unique story about studying abroad.
My study abroad experience came up again in another interview during my final year of college. This time, I was interviewing for a full-time job.
My interviewer noted the study abroad experience listed on my resume and it came up in our conversation. Although this time I didn’t use it in response to an interview question, it was still a great way to break the ice (my interviewer had also spent time in the country where I studied abroad and was familiar with my exchange university) and make a connection.
Where Do You Put Study Abroad On Resume?
Where you should put your study abroad experience on your resume is actually pretty straightforward.
The best place to put it is under the “Education” section of your resume.
Typically, the information you will already have in this section includes:
- The name of your college or university
- Your expected graduation year
- Your major or program of study
- Your GPA
- Any academic scholarships, awards, or accolades you’ve received
Underneath this information, you can have a smaller section for your study abroad. This may include the name of your exchange university, the length of your program (e.g. Fall 2023), and any special certificates you received from the program.
You can also put it under the “Experience” section of your resume.
If you worked while studying abroad (even if it was just something like nannying or babysitting) or if you had an internship while studying abroad, highlighting it in the “Experience” section of your resume is a great way to stand out to potential employers.
You can highlight the cross-cultural impact of working during your study abroad, the global experience you gained, and so on.
You may also be able to put study abroad under the “Volunteering” section of your resume.
At the end of your resume, you may want to dedicate a few bullet points to volunteering and nonprofit work you have done.
This is a great way to show potential employers that you’re well-rounded and care about making an impact.
If you volunteered abroad or participated in a service learning program, this is a great place to highlight that on your resume.
Do Employers Look at Study Abroad?
Employers definitely take notice of study abroad experiences.
As I’ve mentioned, my study abroad experience came up multiple times during interviews in college.
Only about 1 in 10 American college students study abroad, so having this experience on your resume immediately makes you stand out.
Studying abroad shows that you’re not afraid to step out of your comfort zone and take on new challenges. It demonstrates that you have a global mindset and are adaptable to different cultures and environments. These qualities are highly valued by employers in today’s interconnected world.
When employers see “study abroad” on your resume, it sparks their curiosity.
They want to know more about your adventures, the skills you gained, and how you’ve grown as a person. It’s a conversation starter during interviews and can help you stand out from other candidates. Plus, studying abroad often involves learning a new language or improving your language skills, which is a valuable asset in today’s global job market.
Finally, study abroad experiences can provide you with a unique perspective and a deeper understanding of different cultures. This cultural competence is highly sought after by employers who operate in a diverse and multicultural business environment.
It shows that you have the ability to work effectively with people from various backgrounds and navigate cross-cultural situations. So, don’t hesitate to showcase your study abroad experience on your resume – it can give you a competitive edge and demonstrate your broader worldview.
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