Monday, January 02, 2006

Why Every College Student Should Study Abroad

By Lee Frankel

The benefits of studying abroad cannot be underestimated. There is no downside to studying abroad and the upside is huge. From learning a new language to gaining a better understanding of world politics, studying abroad can make you a far more desirable hire to potential employers. If the person interviewing you also studied abroad, it can be the key to making that connection with them that sets you apart from the others.

Here are four things that you will learn abroad that will set you apart from your classmates who don't study overseas.

You will learn and understand a new culture

Doing business with someone is always tricky, but doing it with a person or company in a different country is even more difficult. In some cultures, people say exactly what they are thinking. For instance, if you went abroad to a meeting and someone said, "John, nice to see you. You look much fatter than the last time I saw you," as an American you would be greatly offended. However, if you understood the culture and knew that the comment was meant as an observation and not an insult, it would be easier to laugh off. Without an understanding of that culture, the whole business relationship could be ruined.

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