Study Abroad & International Exchange
520 N Storer Ave.Fayetteville, AR 72701
Tel: 1-479-575-7582
Fax: 1-479-575-7402
studyabr@uark.edu
Benefits of Study Abroad
Need more than "it's fun?" Check out our video and take a look at the reasons below.
The evidence is clear! Studies show that study abroad improves academic performance, social development, and career readiness.*
Improved Academic Performance
GPAs Improve Faster
100% of students showed greater improvement in GPA post study abroad. One study showed that study abroad alumni increase their GPA twice as fast as other students.*
More Likely to Graduate
Students who study abroad are 19% more likely to graduate within six years. Four-year graduation rates were still 15% higher than non participants.*
Study Abroad and Personality
Increased Maturity
97% of students attributed their increased maturity to experience living and traveling abroad.*
Self Confidence
97% of study abroad alumni claimed an increase in self-confidence as a result of study abroad.*
Tolerance for Ambiguity
Students who studied abroad reported feeling more comfortable navigating uncertainty, unpredictability, and conflict.*
Improved Personality Traits
Study Abroad alumni show more improvement in five core personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability.*
Careers, Salaries, and Job Skills
Finding Employment
In one study, study abroad alumni were twice as likely to find a job post graduation. Among study abroad alumni, 90% landed a job within 6 months.*
Higher Salaries
Starting salaries were 25% higher than those college graduates who did not study abroad. A British study found their study abroad graduates out-earned their peers by 17%. This equates to approximately $7,000 annually for U.S. students and £3,120 for UK students. Maintaining this earning advantage translates to earning an extra $567,500 over a lifetime in the U.S.*
Entry to Graduate School
90% of study abroad alumni who applied got into their 1st or 2nd choice graduate school.*
Job Skills
Study Abroad helps students build valuable skills for the job market. 84% of students felt more prepared for the workplace because of their experiences.*
Adapting to Work Environments
80% of study abroad students agreed that they were better able to adapt to diverse work environments.*
Job Satisfaction
70% of study abroad alumni claimed that they were more satisfied with their jobs because of study abroad.*
Value in the Job Market
59% of employers said study abroad would be valuable in an individual’s career with their organization.*
Choosing a Career Field
34% of alumni claimed that study abroad helped them choose their career field.*
Lowered Unemployment
Unemployment rates in a British study were 19% lower than students who did not study abroad.*
Salary Boost in Specific Fields
A British study found bigger increases in salaries among among seven majors: sociology, computer science, theology and religious studies, electronic and electrical engineering, and physical geographical sciences. *
*Statistics compiled by University of California, Merced