It might be a good idea to start the study abroad conversation by highlighting the benefits of a learning experience abroad. Students who study abroad benefit academically, professionally and personally from the experience. Here are some research statistics that can be useful to you and your advisee:
Academic Benefits
- 90% of study abroad alumni nationwide who applied got into their 1st or 2nd choice of grad school. IES Abroad/Alumnae/I 50-year Longitudinal Study.
- 100% of study abroad students nationwide saw a GPA improvement after studying abroad and saw their GPA’s rise twice as quickly compared to students who did not study abroad. USA Today.
Career Benefits
- Graduates earn 25% higher salaries if they have studied abroad, according to a national study. IES Abroad/Alumnae/I 50-year Longitudinal Study.
- 80% of study abroad alumni nationwide say that their experience helped with their ability to adapt in diverse workplace environments. AIFS Study Abroad Outcomes.
- 85% of study abroad alumni nationwide feel that study abroad helped them build valuable job skills. IES Abroad/Alumnae/I 50-year Longitudinal Study.
- 97% of study abroad alumni nationwide found employment within 12 months of graduation (compared to only 49% of non-study abroad graduates). IES Abroad/Alumnae/I 50-year Longitudinal Study.
Personal Benefits
- 92% of students nationwide say that study abroad helped them better understand themselves and their values. IES Abroad/Alumnae/I 50-year Longitudinal Study.
- 96% of students nationwide say that study abroad increased their self-confidence. University of Maryland study.
- 95% of students nationwide say that study abroad made a positive impact on how they view the world. IES Abroad/Alumnae/I 50-year Longitudinal Study.
- 89% of students nationwide say that study abroad gave them the ability to be more flexible and open-minded. Recent Graduates Survey.
Some other prompting questions to get the conversation started may include:
- Do you think that study abroad might be an enhancement to your experience here at RIT? (If so, how? If not, why?)
- What skills might you gain from a study abroad experience?
- Did you know that study abroad is an option for students in every major at RIT?
Personalized Study Abroad Blueprint – a tool for students to use to help them understand their goals and priorities when studying abroad. The blueprint is available here as a fillable .pdf (click the link, then download/save it to your computer before filling it out). Working with your advisee on the blueprint can be a good first step in helping them explore study abroad. The blueprint includes resources to help students complete the plan, including links to articles and videos. Students are encouraged to bring their working blueprint when they meet with their study abroad advisor.
Study Abroad for Diverse Students
All students have the opportunity to study abroad if they choose. The RIT Education Abroad office works closely with program providers, institutions abroad, campus departments, access services and other resources to help students access necessary accommodations, prepare for their program and succeed abroad.
Timing
Students who begin planning earlier for study abroad benefit from greater program choices and more funding opportunities.
Advisors who bring up the conversation early on benefit from clearer student experience expectations, streamlined administrative planning and less anxiety.
The new Study Abroad pathways and college info sheets are a great resource for starting the conversation and can be found under Additional Tools and Resources.
The Education Abroad office is open to joining advisors and their advisees in an advising meeting. Please contact Roseanne Hernandez at rmdrap@rit.edu.
How a student should get started
After meeting with their academic advisor, a student should:
- Utilize the Study Abroad & Your Major section of our website to get an idea of program options for their major.
- Attend a Study Abroad 101 meeting that will give them an overview of program types, finding a good program fit, basics on coursework, financial aid, etc. Study Abroad 101 meetings are offered three times a week during the fall and spring semesters.
- Login to the Compass database to create a profile, search programs and start an application.
- Make an appointment with a study abroad advisor (once students have a couple programs in mind)