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Finding a job, paying bills…aka the real world. Before we know it those four years of ignorant bliss (to others known as college) are over and we young 20-somethings are out there facing real challenges and attempting to market ourselves in the professional world. While graduating and entering the work force may seem daunting, if not outright terryfing to some, you should know that you have aquired many valuable skills during your time at college, one of them being studying abroad.

Many think that studying abroad is simply an opportunity to spend an extended amount of time in another country while taking a few classes. However, what one may not realize is that this experience teaches you many valuable lessons and skills that are downright marketable to a future employer and help you stand out!

Riley Ellis, a fellow peer advisor at the Colorado State University study abroad office, recently wrote a blog touching on how to frame your discussion about your study abroad experience with a future employer. To find out more follow this link to her blogpost on the Academic Programs International website:

http://www.apistudyabroad.com/blog/costa-rica/explain-study-experience-future-employer/

That is the question! Many of you, as you are gearing up to go abroad, probably already have plans to do some major traveling. But before you pack up your bags and jet off to various destinations, read this blog by one of our peer advisors Kristin, who studied abroad in Rome in 2010:

People going abroad often have the tendency to look at this time as “how many countries can I visit in the next 5 months?!” or simply as an extended vacation…with a few classes thrown in there. However, it is really sad if you look at study abroad this way as opposed to looking at it as a time where you have the chance to really LIVE in a foreign place for an extended time period, taking really unique classes, and meeting some incredible people!

Here’s some advice on traveling while abroad:

• Simply don’t go overboard with the traveling! I know it is going to be very tempting to want to go somewhere new every weekend (especially those of you studying in Europe) but I cannot stress enough what a shame it is to never spend the weekends in your host city! You want to spend time exploring your host city and learning to live there like a local. When you spend more time in your host city you will start to find special places that you can call your own. Whether it’s the local coffee shop or the visiting the man on the corner who sells coconuts every Saturday, it is these places and these people that will be the most memorable but you only find these jewels if you spend time in your city. Continue reading “To Travel or not to Travel…” →