Why Study Abroad

Using data from both Kent State students and national surveys, the results are clear: students who study abroad get better grades!

Kent State’s Education Abroad participants are more likely to have higher student success measures. For example, when we evaluated the GPAs of students in the fall semester after they returned home, those who went abroad in 2021/22 had a GPA average of 3.58 compared to 3.41 for those who didn’t study abroad.

Gain exposure, or add some finesse, to your foreign language skills

Whether you’re a beginner or advanced learner, living and breathing a language 24/7 is the best way to finetune your foreign language skills.

When you are living and studying in your host country, you’ll be able to use new vocabulary and practice your grammar in everyday life while interacting with native speakers. There will be new accents to adjust to, as well as trendy lingo or slang that you might not have learned at home. All of these new circumstances will contribute to your comfort and fluency in a foreign language.

Learn from different professors in a new academic environment

Living and studying in a new culture also means you will be in a new academic culture. You’ll be able to enjoy new ways of learning, alternative teaching styles, and different facilities.

Coursework may also be different. You might find that the focus shifts more on lectures or exams, and less on group discussion and group participation – or vice versa. Studying abroad will also expose you to different grading systems or measures of success.

This kind of variety will make you a stronger, more adaptable student and lifelong learner.

Reinvigorate your passion for learning

Has your interest in your studies waned a bit lately? Then studying abroad might be the solution you’ve been waiting for!

When conducting research with KSU students who went abroad versus those who didn’t, we discovered that Education Abroad participants are more likely to return for the upcoming fall semester, as our comparative analysis shows below.

Clarify your future career path

As Riley Burton, a former KSU study abroad participant, explains in her story, one of her motivations for participating in a Galapagos program was to help confirm if her desire to work with animals and conduct field research was the right career for her.

She explains, “I went into the trip wanting to see if field research, traveling abroad, going into national parks or going into nature and seeing animals in their natural habitat would be the right path. This cemented that yes, this is what I want to do.”

As you're choosing your best-fit study abroad program, you’ll meet with your academic advisor who can also help you determine how different programs can help contribute towards various degree paths or career choices.

Studying abroad can take you far – both geographically and professionally.

After you return home, the Education Abroad Office can show you how to set yourself apart in the job market by adding your study abroad program to your resume and cover letters.

As you prepare for upcoming employment opportunities, you’ll notice that your international education experience can give you an extra edge when applying for jobs and talking about your qualifications in interviews.

Employers have often noted that students who participate in programs overseas learn desirable lifelong skills including creative problem-solving, intercultural communication, enhanced leadership capabilities, inquisitiveness, self-awareness, adaptability, patience, and listening.

Many program participants also find that studying abroad enables them to build a global network of fellow students and faculty members, which they can tap into to support their career in the future.

Feel empowered, more independent and resilient 

Fully immersing yourself in a completely new environment will show you what you’re capable of on your own, building your confidence, problem solving skills, adaptability, and independence.

Moreover, you’ll often have the chance to travel independently to, or around, your host country. Plus, you may not know the other program participants prior to arrival. This gives you many opportunities to develop new friendships, learn more about yourself, and become a savvy traveler.

Gain a deeper understanding of the world around you

Studying abroad is a truly eye-opening experience wherever you go! Exposure to new ways of life and new languages will help to mold your worldviews and challenge the way you have previously lived.

As you gain cultural competence, you’ll also acquire a deeper appreciation for diversity and greater respect for how others live and view the world. These skills – combined with those of communication, collaboration, and diplomacy – will help you to become a truly global citizen. 

It’s one thing to read about a place or watch some YouTube videos… and an entirely different thing to walk the streets yourself, chat with locals over a coffee, and hold meaningful face-to-face conversations with expert practitioners in your chosen field of study.

An education abroad program gives you an authentic, hands-on experience in a new country and culture in ways that normal travel doesn’t.

Make new friends – both from your cohort that goes abroad as well as those who live overseas

Even if you don’t know anyone who is going abroad or who has ever been abroad, don’t worry. You will soon! Hundreds of KSU students go abroad every year and there’s a strong community of past participants across our campuses. Kent State also has a thriving population of international students hailing from over 100 countries, and you’ll find that the more you look for it, the more global your outlook will become.

Our team also organizes plenty of activities and events before you go to help you prepare and meet other program participants, and we offer a support network while you are away.

It’s also really fun!

From bustling cities to quiet countryside and sunny beaches to the highest mountains, the world is your playground while you are participating in a study abroad program. Enjoy weekend travels to new cities or countries, try new foods with interesting ingredients, attend a traditional ceremony or festival, discover hidden gems in your host location… the list of new memories to be made is neverending!

If you’ve never left the U.S. before, then a shorter term program might be a great way to dip your toes into international waters without being away from home for too long.

Explore options during Spring Break, Winter Break and Summer for a Faculty-led program which typically lasts one to three weeks maximum and provides more of a hassle-free experience since they have a set itinerary for you to follow alongside your classmates. Here, you can also enjoy the benefits of being part of a group, so you’ll never be lonely!

If you want to spread your wings and experience a whole new university campus for a semester, then it might be best to choose a study abroad program at another university. Kent State has partnerships with dozens of top ranked institutions offering high quality courses in dynamic new environments. We refer to these as “exchange programs” and we offer more than 30 of them each year.

On the other hand, for students who want the familiarity of Kent State but are looking to experience KSU in a new place, you might find that enrolling at a Kent State overseas center offers the perfect balance between the old and new. Check out our digs in Florence or Paris.

If you’re the kind of student who values their independence above all else, you can stretch your wings by enrolling on a program run by ISEP, a non-profit organization that promotes study and volunteer programs abroad in more than 50 countries. These are offered as either “exchange” or “direct enroll” programs, and they are a great choice if you’d like to interact with students from other institutions and want more flexibility when it comes to your overall experience.

Tip! You can also review ISEP’s advice on how to find the right program.