Every November, International Education Week (IEW) celebrates the transformative power of global learning and cultural exchange — and 2024 is no exception! It’s a time to recognize the countless ways international education and cultural exchange opportunities can shape lives, strengthen communities, and build connections across borders.
As part of this celebration, we’re putting a spotlight on a few of our study abroad and international internship program participants who embraced these opportunities and have discovered the impact of going abroad firsthand.
Read on to hear more about how studying or interning abroad has shaped their personal growth, academic journeys, and career aspirations.
Brooke (she/her) from Concordia University Chicago
AIFS Abroad in Seville, Spain | Study Abroad Program | Spring Semester
Why are international education opportunities important?
International education opportunities are important because they cultivate socio-cultural, academic, and personal growth through an immersive environment of various cultures. It is an undoubtably enjoyable experience in which the learning opportunities are endless as you further your overall individual growth while traveling the world and living life to its fullest.
How did your international education experience impact you personally?
I developed a deep appreciation for various cultures while I further indulged in learning and acquiring my second language. I built long-lasting relationships and learned important life skills, as I got to experience traveling the world and gaining independence at a young age.
How did your international education experience impact you academically?
I learned more about specific cultures and their gastronomical, literary, artistic, and historical aspects. In addition, I apprehended all of these interesting concepts through a different language and means of communication and understanding, and for that I am exceptionally grateful.
How did your international education experience impact you professionally?
I now am offered more opportunities that I have been abroad to develop my language acquisition and overall fluency that I would not have been offered otherwise. As a future teacher, I now feel more confident in my secondary language and have more insight on how I will work to benefit my students’ progress.
Declan (he/him) from Assumption University
AIFS Abroad in Florence, Italy | Study Abroad Program | Fall Semester
Why are international education opportunities important?
They allow you to experience new cultures, meet people from around the world, and develop skills you can’t gain in a classroom alone. These opportunities help you grow personally and academically while opening doors to global career opportunities and a deeper understanding of the world.
How did your international education experience impact you personally?
I found a deeper understanding of myself and the way I want to live life. Through study abroad, I learned more in one semester living in another country than I ever did back at my home university.
How did your international education experience impact you academically?
I had the opportunity to challenge myself and learn in a far more engaging environment, immersing myself in history where it actually happened. Exploring iconic sites alongside my classmates brought the past to life in a way no book or PowerPoint presentation ever could.
How did your international education experience impact you professionally?
International education has allowed me to build valuable connections across Europe, which will not only enhance my prospects for international job opportunities but also strengthen my applications for positions back home. Including study abroad experience on my resume showcases independence, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace challenges, making me a stronger candidate in any professional setting.
Paris (she/her) from Ball State University
AIFS Abroad in Dublin, Ireland | Internship Program | Summer
Why are international education opportunities important?
International education opportunities are important because they allow us to gain experiences we would have never had before. Gaining independence, discovering new cultures, and seeing more of the world such important experiences to have.
How did your international education experience impact you personally?
My experience abroad was very impactful on me. I discovered a lot about myself in my time abroad, specifically about how much I was capable of. From going on solo trips, to navigating a new city, to interning abroad. All things that pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way possible.
How did your international education experience impact you academically?
My experience abroad allowed me to learn a lot as a designer, which is what I am going to school for. I did a graphic design internship where I learned a lot from other professionals, skills I was able to take back with me to my home university.
How did your international education experience impact you professionally?
I gained a lot of professional skills while abroad from my program but also personally. One of which, I went to London for a day to take a photography masterclass with other professionals. This allowed me to network with others and learn from some of the best photographers I know. This was just one of the many professional experiences I had while abroad.
Davida (she/her) from the University of Scranton
AIFS Abroad in Stellenbosch, South Africa | Study Abroad Program | January Term
Why are international education opportunities important?
They allow you to become a global citizen and change your worldview.
How did your international education experience impact you personally?
I have had the opportunity to study abroad in four different counties and in each country I have made a such great bonds with people from all over the world.
How did your international education experience impact you academically?
After studying abroad I realized my love for the environment and sustainability. After my sophomore year, I ended up adding a environmental studies concentration which allowed me to be able to take such unique and interesting courses.
How did your international education experience impact you professionally?
I have been able to work for global companies such as Johnson&Johnson and understand how to communicate with people from different cultures and experiences. Additionally, I have also had the chance to work for the United Nations Foundation’s United To Beat Malaria and advocate for funding on Capital Hill because of my study abroad experience in South Africa.
Daniel from Quinnipiac University
AIFS Abroad in Athens, Greece | Study Abroad Program | Summer
Why are international education opportunities important?
International education [opportunities] are important because they influence society to explore the world’s multicultural societies. To grow, learn thrive, and be the best version of ourselves as we travel the world learning.
How did your international education experience impact you personally?
I’ve personally traveled tons throughout my life though I personally took advantage of going somewhere I hadn’t gone before. Meeting new people and being in a different type of culture and society changes people on multiple layers. It’s more than being free, it’s a new chapter. Though temporary it will always be a chapter of my life.
How did your international education experience impact you academically?
Learning in an environment different to what i’m used to was not necessarily comforting, though meeting different types of students and professors was very interesting. Getting a perspective on life on a different campus was intriguing as well.
How did your international education experience impact you professionally?
I personally have not gotten a job as i’ve been locked in as a full time student. Though the profile of the people that push themselves out of their comfort zones and aren’t afraid to implement themselves in a new environment is a trait in which I believe will help many professionally.
Vanessa (she/her) from Carroll University
AIFS Abroad in London, England | Study Abroad Program | Spring Semester
Why are international education opportunities important?
It gives you an opportunity to learn about different marvelous cultures and see things that you never thought you would see. International opportunities give you the opportunity to make life long friends from across the U.S and from foreign countries. Studying abroad helps bring meaning to your life and it gives you lots of stories to tell your friends, family and future generations.
How did your international education experience impact you personally?
International education impacted me very positively. I got to go to parts of the world that I’d never imagined I would see with really good friends that I made along my journey. I will never forget my study abroad experience, and even if I go back to London (my host country), it will never be the same as the way I experienced things in my semester there. In the future, I would like to go back to London. I also had a great experience because the staff there was really nice and understanding, and they were there to help with absolutely anything.
How did your international education experience impact you academically?
I furthered my knowledge in my major (Psychology) while abroad. Now that I’m back at my school, I still use my knowledge and facts that I learned while I was abroad. [By] studying abroad, I got the opportunity to not only learn in a classroom setting, but also by venturing out into the city and learning first hand from different museums, [landmarks], and places that related to lectures.
How did your international education experience impact you professionally?
While abroad, I learned and got reinforced of the idea that cultures are different, and that as a psychologist in the future, I have to be mindful of different races, ethnicities and cultures. I knew that Europe would be different than the U.S. but I never really realized how different it was until I actually went through the experience. Studying abroad also opened many doors for me, now that I’ve been through this experience, I [have] something nice to add to my resume. Knowing that I studied internationally will set me apart from other job candidates, it shows that I have lots of capabilities such as adapting to a new country I’d never been to before, independence, overcoming verbal challenges and it shows that I gained a valuable set of skills.
Audrey (she/her) from Washington State University
AIFS Abroad in Paris, France | Study Abroad Program | Fall Semester
Why are international education opportunities important?
International education opportunities are important because you can learn so much about yourself and other cultures in an amazing new place you could have never dreamed of visiting.
How did your international education experience impact you personally?
Personally, studying abroad has made me so much more outgoing. I have gained a mentality to say yes to things because you never know what amazing friends, or adventures you will stumble upon. I started my adventure unsure if I would make new friends, or if I would keep to myself, and now I know some amazing people from all over who I get to call friends.
How did your international education experience impact you academically?
Academically, studying abroad has made me better at compartmentalizing. When studying abroad, there is always so much going on, so it has taught me to learn to compartmentalize and set aside time to prioritize school work.
How did your international education experience impact you professionally?
Studying abroad has broadened the opportunities in my chosen field. As a hospitality major, it is recommended to know more than one language, and by studying abroad has given me the opportunity to expand my knowledge on the French language.
Sofia (she/her) from the University of California – Riverside
AIFS Abroad in London, England | Study Abroad Program | Summer
Why are international education opportunities important?
International education opportunities are important because they can help educate students who want to go abroad. Plus, it’s a great way to expand your horizons and get out into the world.
How did your international education experience impact you personally?
It impacted me personally because I got to meet new friends and I got to see new locations.
How did your international education experience impact you academically?
I had two professors, but one professor will really stick to me because I was the only student — we had great experiences together. He was showing me locations in London and I would do field journals which were really fun.
How did your international education experience impact you professionally?
Going to different locations in London really stood out to me because there were places I didn’t know the main history of it. Example being in Brixton, London, where I got to learn more about the sugar rush.
If International Education Week 2024 has you feeling inspired to go on your own global education journey, we’re here to help!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students and pre-professionals study and intern abroad. Our programs are incredibly inclusive, which takes a lot of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to providing things like cultural and social activities, excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.
