“International education ignites a passion for understanding other people and their perspectives. That’s one important benefit to working or studying abroad – and it’s essential to success in our increasingly diverse world. Students with international exposure come to understand the value of dialogue between people from different cultures and between people with different points of view. They also gain an understanding of the importance of relationships. Relationships are the foundation for meaning and success in life. They are also the foundation for strong businesses, especially businesses that care about creating mutual benefit.” – Douglass H. Daft, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Coca Cola Company

Whether you are looking to convince your parents that you should study abroad or just considering your options, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 reasons that we think you should study abroad.

1. Immerse yourself.  Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to learn a new language. Immersion is the best teacher and students looking to learn a new language, or become fluent in one they’ve already been studying, have the opportunity to do so during study abroad programs. Many study abroad programs offer enough courses in language that students also have the opportunity to minor in the language. Regardless of the official credit, foreign language proficiency can be a huge resume booster and open up additional job markets.
2. Expand yourself.  When you live abroad you will experience a new culture from a much deeper perspective than simply traveling as a tourist.  This can help you to learn different perspectives and expand their worldview.  The world is much larger than a single country and there are many different ways of functioning and living. It can be beneficial for you to learn this firsthand.
3. Enhance yourself. Living in another country also enhances your marketability and employment options. Especially in today’s global market, employers consider study abroad experiences to be a plus.  Employers also look for candidates who are good at communication and have strong problem-solving skills.  Experience abroad hints at these skills in addition to being open to new opportunities and being flexible.
4. Develop yourself.  Unlike living at home or on campus, living abroad is filled with different experiences that are out of the norm and thus require adaptability.  Living in a foreign country and traveling will inevitability present you with different problems than the ones you might experience at home.
5. Rely on yourself.  Living abroad forces students to deal with issues on their own and to take care of everyday things on their own.  From learning self-care to tackling problems head-on, being away from home and away from the comfortable surroundings often empowers students to take initiative and not simply rely on others.  Students often return from trips with new found self-confidence.

According to a US Resolution passed in 2005, other important reasons for studying abroad include global literacy, goodwill efforts with other countries, benefits to global trade, cultural awareness, and opportunities for education specialization.