New study shows the life-changing value of education abroad

Students who travel abroad for university study build lifelong relationships, gain valuable educational and internship experiences, and benefit from the cultural immersion that can be life-changing. These adventures come with plenty of spontaneity, but experts say they work better when you have a plan.

Nearly half of all parents across the world consider study abroad for their young students, with the number higher among Asian parents, according to data released last week by financial firm HSBC. Top countries also include the United Arab Emirates alongside China, India and Indonesia, with preferred destinations in the United States – more than a million international students go to the U.S. each year – and in Australia and the UK. At 43 percent, American parents are a little less inclined to consider study overseas for their children than others, though their interest is way up over last year’s 29 percent.

The new HSBC numbers come after surveys with 8,000 parents in 15 countries who want the same high-quality opportunities for their children. It’s their hope that international study will help with foreign language development, work experience, and exposure to new ideas and cultures. Yet that aspirational vision can be tricky as students navigate financial crises, unfamiliar social norms and more while far away, not to mention the sense of longing if they can’t be home for Diwali or the Dragon Boat Festival.

“It’s best to assume that any and all kinds of situations are going to come up,” says Chris Rivett, Travel Expert at HotelsCombined. “They will, and they’re an important part of young people’s education in and of themselves. But they’re a lot easier to deal with when a student is working from a secure framework, so that there’s no confusion over visas, travel schedules, living spaces and banking.”

Advisors all say that it’s the planning that makes the difference, and the earlier the better. That’s true whether a student plans an entire graduate program overseas, or a single semester in their senior year. At Boston University, academic counselors invite first-year students to talk with them about future plans for study abroad so that they’re choosing the right classes, saving the money and plugged into options.

That planning may include something as simple as making sure a passport application is completed on time or assisting with student air fares or housing. At the other end of the spectrum, parents whose kids are going to be studying abroad for years may need real estate agents to help them choose property. More than half of all families in the UAE, US and Indonesia whose children are studying overseas would consider buying property in the host country – and that means exploring mortgages and tax information.

So there’s no one size fits all solution, but what is pretty universal are both the new horizons and the hassles that study travel can bring. The cultural immersion translates into opportunities to explore food, music, different work settings and diverse viewpoints, but it can also make for some serious conflicts.

Studying in parts of West Africa or Eastern Europe can come with surprises about gender expectations for young women, or serious legal concerns for LGBTQ students. A Western student in Egypt or some Gulf states may assume the same levels of freedom of expression they enjoy at home with troubling unintended consequences. Day-to-day public health issues like trash, or more serious situations when accident or illness requires medical care, have the potential to be different from what’s at home, while the size of Tokyo, Chicago or Berlin may be overwhelming to students unaccustomed to urban centers.

Even the more common crises that come up are easier to deal with if they’ve been anticipated while planning an overseas education. What happens if the ATM card won’t work? What if you didn’t plan for a VAT tax when you considered your expense budget? How will it work out if you need to rent a car or a few hotel rooms when sightseeing – a prospect for young age groups that’s daunting enough at home?

Smart advice for students always recognizes that yes, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a night train across Europe to go skiing, explore priceless art and antiquities in Southeast Asia, or love New York City theater so much that you’ll vow to come back and work in Manhattan after graduation. Yet that goal is more easily achieved with grades and a relevant internship, and it brings us to the smartest advice from students who studied overseas themselves: Don’t forget the studying part. There’s a reason why your parents went to this kind of trouble and expense to ensure you can achieve your career goals.

As for parents, the best advice is to plan for what you can and then expect those plans to change. If you’re working with a host family, make sure you’re all on the same page to begin with. Walk through a few scenarios with your student when it comes to social encounters or budgeting. After that? Put them on a plane, and wait to hear about the academic pathways they’ve chosen and the new world they see.