Promoting Your International Experience

What have I gained from my experience?

Cultural Understanding and World View:

As a result of my international experience(s), I have developed:

 A greater knowledge about another culture

 Awareness of political, economic or social events around the world

 My interest in global or transnational issues

 My involvement with a global issue

 My involvement with a civic cause

 A definition of my political views

 My ability to speak a foreign language

 

Personal Growth and Values

My international experience(s) have helped me to grow and develop:

 My desire for more diverse friendships and social networks

 My desire to further my education (e.g., postgraduate degree)

 A better understanding of myself and my values

 My sense of confidence in new situations or when meeting new people

 My ability to accept differences in other people

 My ability to empathize with people, especially those who are different from me

 My ability to be more flexible and open-minded

 My tolerance of ambiguity in a variety of situations

 An understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses

 My ability to be independent

 My ability to take initiative

 

And, I have:

 Become more aware of the way I use and structure time

 An increased capacity to profit from my mistakes

 Strengthened relationships with my family members

 Strengthened relationships with my friends

 A clearer notion of what I will do with my life

 

Additionally:

 I am more capable of solving life’s day-to-day problems

 I think more critically: I am more discriminating and skeptical

 I have improved observation skills

 I need more time to be alone

 I am more confident about the decisions I make

 Recognized the importance I put on developing my skills and talents

 An increased willingness to work hard and sacrifice in order to do well in school or in my job

 

Professional & Career Development

Studying Abroad contributed to:

 My ability to formulate my career goals and clarify my professional aspirations

 I am more aware of the opportunities in life that are open to me.

 Developing skills and intercultural competencies which will aid in obtaining my first job after graduation

 I have a greater willingness to take on roles and tasks to which I am unaccustomed

 The importance I place on working in a field that I find interesting

 The importance I place on having personal fulfillment in my work

 My ability to speak a foreign language in the workplace

 Developing my ability to understand an organization’s culture

 My ability to adapt in diverse workplace