Unlocking the Long-Term Advantages: Enhanced Cultural Intelligence through Study Abroad Experiences
Nino Vashakidze
Deputy Director at Chirina Ltd. | Project Management | Operations | Finance | Digital Marketing | Sustainability | Business Development | Information and Communication Technologies
Studying in another country is more than just getting a degree. It changes you in ways you can't imagine, beyond just the lessons from books. When people discover that I did my bachelor’s degree in the USA, they often inquire if it was worth the investment and if I gained unique insights not available in my home country. My answer is always the same: studying abroad is so much more than just cramming textbook knowledge, it's about discovering and redefining oneself.?
What benefits do study abroad programs bring to employers?
In today's interconnected world, multicultural teams are increasingly common; therefore, employers now highly value cross-cultural competencies as much as technical skills. According to Global Education Research Reports, employers often express concern that graduates lack the essential skills required for success in the workplace. That's where study abroad programs come into play, since it offers students great opportunity to acquire cross-cultural skills.
Based on a study by the British Council, intercultural skills include understanding diverse cultures and viewpoints, demonstrating respect, and proficiency in foreign languages. Employers have observed that workers with these skills attract new clients, collaborate effectively in diverse teams, and enhance the organization's brand and reputation. Without these skills, employees may put the organization at risk of fostering team conflicts and damaging its reputation.
When students live and study overseas, they fully immerse themselves in a foreign culture. Meeting people from different backgrounds helps improve communication across cultures, fosters respect, improve language skills, and broadens understanding of different perspectives. Considering the significant impact that studying abroad can have on an individual, incorporating study abroad programs into educational curricula becomes essential. It should be viewed as an integral and mandatory part of the university program.
The Transformative Journey
According to Adam et al. (2018) published in the Harvard Business Review, students who choose to study abroad often undergo significant personal growth and self-discovery. This transformation occurs because back home, they're typically surrounded by peers who share similar behaviors, offering little incentive to question their own values or cultural norms. On the other hand, living in a new country allows people to see different cultural viewpoints, leading them to think deeply about and sometimes question their own beliefs.
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This shows that studying abroad isn't just about schoolwork; it's also about understanding different cultures, finding your way in places you're not used to, and developing a worldwide way of thinking. Being surrounded by a new culture forces students to move beyond what they're comfortable with, question their assumptions, and learn new ways of thinking and living.
There are always exceptions
Studying abroad helps students learn a language, ?improve their fluency and understand cultural nuances. However, how much they learn can vary a lot from one student to another. As highlighted by Kinginger in her 2013 publication, this difference can depend on how students use their time, like who they spend time with and the activities they do, which helps them learn the language and understand the culture better. Success in studying abroad also depends on how well students fit into their new environment, like their classes or where they live, and how they see and adapt to the new ways of life and language around them. Challenges faced while studying abroad often have to do with students' identities and how they manage these new cultural experiences .
The longer the period spent abroad, the greater the opportunities for deeper cultural immersion, language practice, and engagement with local communities, potentially leading to richer and more meaningful cultural exchange and learning experiences. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of a study abroad experience also depends on factors such as the student's openness, engagement level, and the quality of their interaction with the host culture, rather than duration alone. If a student goes abroad with misconceptions, then stereotypes and simplifying people's identities can hinder true interactions and cultural exchanges. Ramirez (2013) explores that real cultural connections happen when we move beyond stereotypes. Study abroad programs have the potential to teach a new generation of global citizens how to collaborate and communicate across borders. Understanding the factors that lead to positive and meaningful cultural exchanges is crucial.
The Value of study abroad experience
Having a study abroad experience is not a guarantee for solving cross-cultural misunderstandings in the work environment, but it certainly proves to be beneficial in today's globalized world. Exposure to new cultures and diverse perspectives enables individuals to perceive the world from multiple angles. Studying abroad often enhances self-understanding, thereby clarifying one's self-concept. Additionally, fluency in multiple languages enhances a candidate's appeal to employers, as it facilitates effective communication without language barriers. Employers in all industries highly value these skills.
References
Product Manager of Corporate Banking at TBC Bank
1 年Thank you for sharing! Very interesting article ??
Deputy CEO | Bank / MFI / Fintech / Luxury Brand Management / Leasing / Management / Accredited Mediator
1 年“Think about things differently”… very good point! ???
Commercial Director | Retail Expert | MBA, Grenoble Ecole de Management
1 年Great Nino, what an interesting issue you've touched upon. The article perfectly highlights the benefits of studying abroad????
Head of Private Banking Division
1 年Great work Nino!??