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Gain Academic Credit
The most obvious reason why students study abroad is to earn academic credit. You should consider the type of credit you will earn on your study abroad program. Will you earn credit towards your major or elective credit only? Will you receive grades or pass/fail credit only? You may study abroad to earn upper division credits in your major field, or you may be overseas to earn some of your core or general education hours your freshman year.

Learning a Language
The world marketplace is shrinking rapidly, and many companies require their employees to speak second languages. Job candidates who can speak a second (or third, or fourth) language are not only valuable in the workforce, but they are valuable in the real world as well. Knowing a foreign language makes it easier to travel, live or work abroad, and build international relationships.

Getting Valuable Career Experience
Study abroad coupled with an international internship is an incredible way to gain some real-world experience. Additionally you may find that only an international program can offer the real expertise you desire in your education. Australia is a perfect place to find a marine biology program, the engineering labs in Japan may exceed your facilities at your home institution, and peace studies in Geneva would offer an insight that couldn’t be matched in Nebraska.

Resume Building
International experience is ranked high among many employers as a critical asset for employees. A candidate who has studied abroad is regarded as more resourceful, adventurous, internationally minded, and diverse than candidates who have not. A person’s experiences studying and traveling overseas make that job candidate stand out among the competition, especially in tough job markets.

Experience of a Lifetime
In a couple of years you may forget the name of your literature professor in Grenoble or the name of your dorm in Beijing, but you’ll never forget the friends you made or the incredible experiences you shared.