You may even be asked at an interview or on your graduate school application to describe an experience in your life where you learned about diversity or dealt with obstacles. You can bring up your travel experiences (which the interviewers will probably want to hear more about) and demonstrate that you are a well-rounded, cultured individual.
Important skills gained from studying abroad:
Flexibility
Flexibility is one of the most common, yet hardest, skill to learn when traveling. During your trip, you may miss an important bus or train that was supposed to get you to your next destination at a certain time. You may end up booking a hotel online and getting to the country only to realize that the hotel no longer exists. This is when you should take a deep breath, find the next bus or train or a new hotel, and spend your free time exploring the city. It is generally hard for people to learn to be adaptable and flexible when they are set on certain time schedules, have agendas to follow, and are in a foreign country where everything is completely different. However, learning to use the mishaps as a chance to discover different parts of the city or meet new people can be a very beneficial skill.
Communication
Another skill that you will most likely need to learn in a foreign country (unless they speak your native language with the same accent) is communication. I recommend looking up the 10 or 15 most common phrases and memorizing them during your flight. When I visited Italy, I was able to use a good amount of Spanish to get around. However, I had learned some common Italian phrases, such as “Where is,” “How much,” “I would like,” “Please,” and “Thank You/You’re Welcome.” The locals generally enjoy the fact that you are trying to speak their language because you are showing an effort to learn about their culture. They may even help you with your conversation skills or teach you new words.
Time Management
Time management means you are using every bit of time effectively, and this is extremely important when traveling.
Important skills gained from studying abroad:
FlexibilityFlexibility is one of the most common, yet hardest, skill to learn when traveling. During your trip, you may miss an important bus or train that was supposed to get you to your next destination at a certain time. You may end up booking a hotel online and getting to the country only to realize that the hotel no longer exists. This is when you should take a deep breath, find the next bus or train or a new hotel, and spend your free time exploring the city. It is generally hard for people to learn to be adaptable and flexible when they are set on certain time schedules, have agendas to follow, and are in a foreign country where everything is completely different. However, learning to use the mishaps as a chance to discover different parts of the city or meet new people can be a very beneficial skill.
Communication
Another skill that you will most likely need to learn in a foreign country (unless they speak your native language with the same accent) is communication. I recommend looking up the 10 or 15 most common phrases and memorizing them during your flight. When I visited Italy, I was able to use a good amount of Spanish to get around. However, I had learned some common Italian phrases, such as “Where is,” “How much,” “I would like,” “Please,” and “Thank You/You’re Welcome.” The locals generally enjoy the fact that you are trying to speak their language because you are showing an effort to learn about their culture. They may even help you with your conversation skills or teach you new words.
Time Management
Time management means you are using every bit of time effectively, and this is extremely important when traveling.
This may be your only opportunity to ever visit a this country and if you spend your afternoons watching TV or sleeping, you could be missing out on numerous opportunities. If you are on a tour then you will have to adhere to the tour guide’s daily agenda. However, there is usually an hour or two of free time (if not, you may have to use lunch/dinner time) where you can go out and explore the area on your own or with a friend. Spend as much time as possible exploring when you are visiting a certain site and use the time spent on trains and planes to catch up on rest or ponder. If you are traveling without a tour, then time management will take on a whole different meaning. It will be up to you to catch the bus at the right time, even if it leaves an hour early than expected.
Traveling will improve your ability to create agendas, follow schedules, and use every minute of every day experiencing life instead of letting it pass by.
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