Studying abroad can have profound impacts on a student’s personal and professional development, both short-term and long-term. For many students, it is an opportunity to develop new skills, become more independent, and gain a wider perspective on their field of study.
85% of respondents to a survey done by the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) reported that studying abroad was the most meaningful experience of their undergraduate education.
To learn how beneficial international experiences have been, I spoke to five alumni who studied abroad during their time at TU. These alumni were all from different majors, were in different student organizations during their time at TU, and studied abroad across various countries and regions of the world.
- Scott Knowles, class of 2015
- Economics major, Chinese minor
- Chengdu, China (Fall, 2013)
- Activities at Towson: Economics Society, Presidential Ambassadors, Chinese American Student Union (CASU), Urban Farming Club, and Magic: The Gathering Club
- Leigh Anne Stanfield, class of 2014
- Early Childhood and Special Education major
- London, England (Spring, 2012)
- Activities at Towson: Club Swimming, Kappa Delta Sorority
- Bryan Goodyear, class of 2014
- E-Business and Business Administration – Project Management & Business Analysis major, Music Performance (Classical Guitar) minor
- Panama (Minimester, 2013)
- Activities at Towson: Track Club, Project Management Association (PMA)
- Allison Guerra, class of 2017
- Economics and International Studies major, French minor
- Grenoble, France (Spring, 2015)
- Dorian Andrews, class of 2018
- Interdisciplinary Studies major with a concentration in Asian Studies, Japanese minor
- Tokyo, Japan (Calendar Year 2016)
- Activities at Towson: Japanese Language and Culture Organization
How did studying abroad impact your career?
Scott Knowles: “After studying abroad in Chengdu, I continued to pursue studying Chinese at Towson. This eventually led me to Beijing in 2015 on a Critical Language Scholarship after I graduated. Although I ultimately decided not to pursue a career in China, or one leveraging my Chinese language skill, the experience was invaluable. Through the experience, I learned what opportunities existed and what kind of careers were available to explore. After overcoming difficult academic challenges abroad, I had more confidence in my ability to learn new things. This confidence supported my decision to pursue a graduate degree in applied economics later in life”.
Leigh Anne Stanfield: “As an education major, I found it enlightening and fascinating to see what schooling was like in another country! It was eye opening to see how they handled course work, assessments, projects, etc. It was also interesting to see how they created a community of learners as compared to my life in the U.S. It was an experience that impacted the way I teach in the classroom today”.
Bryan Goodyear: “Studying abroad didn’t necessarily impact my career goals or the career I pursued. It did provide different cultural and business perspectives which helped me get more out of the remainder of my education, and a competitive advantage in interviews. I interned for Under Armour in the summer of 2013 in the supply chain department. They had many supply chain operations in Latin America, and my study abroad experience helped me speak to business and culture differences in the region during the interview”.
Allison Guerra: “Studying abroad had a big impact on my career. I furthered my love for immersing myself in new cultures and pursued a career where I could continue to travel and make change. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin and am continuing to incorporate international dynamics into my new career in the legal field”.
Dorian Andrews: “It allowed me to become my own person. Growing up in a small town in southeast Alabama, I was always seen as my older sister’s younger brother. I felt the need to live up to people’s expectations based on the academic standard she set from Elementary to High school. Traveling to another country gave me the opportunity to be independent and make a name for myself. Learning a language helps me distinguish myself from others and gives more value to my life. Now, I am a freelance English teacher in Yokohama city who offers services to multiple clients, from one-on-one and group lessons to public and private high schools to even esports schools (teaching English using games like Minecraft and Fortnite). I also teach Business English at a US Army Base in Zama City Kanagawa Prefecture, coach people on how to pass standardized English tests such as TOEIC and TOEFL, and online conversation lessons to students and businessmen in Korea. If it wasn’t for studying abroad, I would have never passed the TESOL certification that allows me to teach English anywhere in the world”.
According to he Institute for the International Education of Students (IES), 87% of alumni claimed that studying abroad influenced their subsequent educational experiences.
Studying abroad helps students develop a global outlook, which is helpful even if you don’t have an internationally focused career. From classrooms to job interviews, international experiences give students a competitive advantage as they enter the workforce. However, it can also inspire you to pursue new opportunities and education, such as the Peace Corps or the Critical Language Scholarship. No matter what field you are in, international experiences can help your professional development.
What skills did you gain from studying abroad that have helped you in your career?
Scott Knowles: “There are many valuable career skills I think studying abroad helped me improve upon. Adaptability, learning, and communication skills come to mind as some of the biggest ones for me”.
Leigh Anne Stanfield: “While studying abroad I developed a sense of confidence I hadn’t yet found which translated to my presence in the classroom. When I was abroad, I had to start to ‘fend for myself’ in a way where I hadn’t before. The ability to think on my feet and rely on my own mind has been incredibly helpful in the day to day of teaching”.
Allison Guerra: “Living abroad for a semester helped me gain confidence in my ability to not be afraid to try new things and put myself out there. All of which are important skills when applying for jobs and figuring out a career!”
Dorian Andrews: “It helped me learn about how others feel when they are learning something new and are in the infant stages of it. There were many times I felt confused, pessimistic, and wanted to quit when I didn’t understand Japanese. On the flip side, I experienced incomparable joy and relief when I was correct in speaking or passed tests. Those experiences have helped me to empathize with the students I currently teach in Japan, and it was been noticed by many employers over the past five years. That’s why I have been highly respected in any school or company I teach English at”.
Studying abroad can help students gain both hard and soft skills. Whether they are learning a new language, taking technical courses, or developing newfound independence and confidence, there is always the possibility for students to grow.
According to IES, 76% of study abroad alumni reported they acquired skills while studying abroad that influenced their career, and 84% of alumni claimed that study abroad helped them build job skills.
Do you think that studying abroad impacted your outlook on the world?
Scott Knowles: “Absolutely. Studying abroad gave me a lens into a foreign culture and introduced me to students and scholars from all over the world. It improved my awareness and comfort level traveling internationally. Since my first time abroad in China, I’ve traveled to Israel, France, Germany, and Holland. Thanks to that first study abroad through Towson, I have made lifelong friendships and wonderful memories that have shaped me into who I am today”.
Leigh Anne Stanfield: “I absolutely believe that studying abroad had an impact on my outlook on the world. I had never truly traveled outside the country before this trip so I had never experienced life off of American soil. It was incredible to see the sense of community and partnership that so many held with each other in such a big city. It was also interesting to get perspectives on what was happening in the U.S. from locals! I found that so many of my classmates were fascinated about life in the U.S. that I had to be more aware of current events than I had been while living at home”.
Bryan Goodyear: “The best part about the program was that we had one Towson University-led course with both TU + Panamanian students, then another Panamanian Professor-led course with the same students. It was great getting to know other people and seeing the different approaches between the professors. It was very specific to the College of Business and Economics which I thought was extremely valuable”.
Allison Guerra: “Studying abroad definitely impacted my outlook on the world. It fostered a mindset of understanding those from different backgrounds and cultures, which has carried with me today”.
Dorian Andrews: “Studying in Japan made me realize that the world doesn’t view America the way Americans view it. It opened up my mind to different perspectives and piqued my curiosity to discover why people of other countries act and think differently from Americans. What are the pros and cons of the differences and how can I discern what’s beneficial for me and apply those values into my life? After a year of learning in Japan, I’ve applied the concepts of time management, being generous to strangers, and being selective with wording. These are imbedded virtues in Japanese society, and I’m eternally grateful for accepting them”.
According to IES, 97% of alumni reported that studying abroad served as a catalyst for increased maturity.
Today, these alumni have continued to succeed in their fields. Scott Knowles works as the Director of Finance at Bill of Rights Institute, Leigh Anne Stanfield is working as a teacher, Bryan Goodyear is a Transformation PMO Director at Dentsu International and an Adjunct Professor at Towson University, Allison Guerra recently graduated from St. John’s University School of Law, and Dorian Andrews returned to Japan and teaches English there.
Studying abroad or away is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and you never know where it can lead you! Start your journey today by attending a Group Advising session!
How Big is Your World?
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