Many of those who venture out of their home country outside of travel begin by studying abroad. Going to a foreign university offers plenty of opportunities; not only do you get the chance to sharpen your critical thinking skills and earn a degree in the process, but you’ll also learn about a new culture. Exposure to an international environment is highly desired in today’s globalized workplaces, so putting your time studying abroad on your CV is an advantage.

Studying abroad can open the door to a wealth of opportunities. For the trailing spouse, those moments can be used to upgrade career skills or even prepare for a career change once a foreign assignment is over. For the expat executive, the foreign assignment may offer access to international programs that will enhance his or her career opportunities in the future. The possibilities to study abroad are endless when it comes to educational programs offered around the world; it’s important to select the right course before investing time and money. Here are some points to consider if studying abroad is your dream.

• What do you want to study abroad?
• What do you want to study abroad?
• What do you want to study abroad?
  • Countries to consider
• What do you want to study abroad?
• What do you want to study abroad?

What do you want to study abroad?

To maximize the return on your investment, your selected study program needs to achieve your goal. How you define your goals is up to you; your main goal could be acquiring new skills, advancing your career, or changing your career course.

The first and most important issue to address is what you plan to get out of it. Do you want to improve your credentials within your current field? Are you aiming to attain the right credentials to move into a new field of work? Or do you want to try something completely unrelated to your career, but in which you’ve always had an interest? Whether you’re looking at art history or econometrics, any degree that you follow is important to you; in fact, that’s the only metric that matters.

Where do you want to be studying abroad?

Moving abroad to pursue your academic dream is one of the most enriching decisions that you could ever make; that’s why choosing the right country is crucial.

A number of things should factor into your choice for where to apply:

• Moving somewhere where you speak the language: For some expats, being able to communicate with locals as soon as they arrive is crucial. Even if you’re a Brazilian moving to Portugal, there are still differences that could trigger culture shock. Not everyone worries about this, though; learning a new language helps you navigate a new culture. Pick a country that satisfies your curiosity and consider a school with language courses.
• Choosing a study program in a language that works for your career: Most universities offer at least a few programs in English, especially at the postgraduate level. If you foresee yourself working in a Spanish-speaking country and feel confident about your ability to work in Spanish, consider programs that equip you with the theory in Spanish.