Customize Your Weekly Pathways Content Global experience, adaptability, communication, independence, teamwork, and cultural
appreciation, the list goes on. These are skills that employers look for in interns and employees.
Studying abroad developed these skills in ways that I could not have imagined. Hundreds of
different abroad programs exist that have specialized programs in different industry areas,
helping students develop their skills in a global environment. I have studied abroad twice during
my time at UMass, in England and Spain. I was able to make amazing connections and memories
with new friends, while also strengthening my resume and work experience. Studying abroad
develops hard and soft skills in unique ways that can benefit your future career.
To start, my specific study abroad program focused on consulting for a business in
Barcelona, Spain. We partnered with a real deep-tech startup and had them present their product
and mission to our class. Throughout the semester, I worked in a group of 3 to develop our
consulting skills through seminars and craft a final report and presentation to company
leadership. I strengthened my research and analytical skills through finding grant opportunities,
investors, conferences, competitors, legal hurdles, and market dynamics. We met with the
company throughout the semester to ask clarifying questions and narrow the subjects of our
suggestions. The presentations and reports were ranked as part of a competition by company
management. My group ended up winning, which increased my confidence in my contributions
and gave me important teamwork experience and hard skills to share throughout the
job-searching process.
Beyond academic experiences, studying abroad developed many soft skills. The biggest
skill that I developed was adaptability. When I studied abroad in England, my transition was not
hard, as I spoke the language fluently, and I was only there for a month and a half. On the other
hand, going to Spain, I was thrown into a completely different environment. On top of that, I was
there for the whole semester, rather than 6 weeks. I had to navigate public transportation, a
different language, supermarkets, new roommates, new teachers, new classmates, a huge city,
and so much more. I was beyond overwhelmed and didn’t know how to make myself feel
comfortable. The first week was very hard, but once I got into a routine, I felt better. Throughout
the semester, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone every single day, from giving directions in
Spanish to locals to navigating pharmacies. I came there knowing no one, and I built a new
support system and made lifelong best friends. Before studying abroad, I would not have said
adaptability was one of my strengths, but now, I feel it is a key part of my personality.
Overall, living and attending school in a different country broadens your horizons in so
many ways. I met new people, traveled, learned, and strengthened my career prospects. It pushed
me to grow personally and professionally. I built confidence and discovered strengths that I
didn’t know I had. What I wasn’t expecting was how these experiences mattered when talking to
employers. It gave me concrete examples of problem-solving, communication, adaptability, and
more. Studying abroad didn’t just help me personally, it gave me experience that helped me stand
out while on the job search.
