Why study abroad in Asia?
10 reasons why studying abroad in Asia is worth it
Although studying abroad is always worthwhile, it matters more and more where you go. Here are just a few of the many benefits that studying abroad in Asia can bring:
”Asia is probably the most dynamic continent in the world and economically it presents endless opportunities. The center of gravity is moving towards the East.” -Alexander Stubb, former Prime Minister of Finland
Learn to be independent
Have you ever lived in another country? If not, this is your chance to take the leap and challenge yourself. Living in a country that’s completely different from your own will teach you the skills needed to live an independent life. You will find new sides of yourself that you wouldn’t have discovered you hadn’t stepped out of your comfort zone. If you can make it in Asia, you can make it anywhere.
Become a sought-after Asia expert
Due to Asia’s increasingly important political and economic role, many employers value Asia-related knowledge and expertise. According to the report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (02/2017), China will be the most powerful economy by 2030, and on the top 25 list are also Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. By gaining personal knowledge and experience of this emerging center of economic gravity, you can future-proof your CV and stand out from other applicants. Studying in Asia is a solid investment in your career.
“The highlights of my exchange program were getting to know various cultures that are entirely different from the one I am exposed to in Germany. During my stay in China and Thailand, I came across so many new people from all over the world. […] I pretty quickly began to view things differently because everything was starkly different from the way things work in Germany. It was a great experience to learn that there are many different ways of looking at things. It’s an awesome feeling to experience that kind of diversity.” –Tim, studied abroad in China and Thailand
Language skills
Having the basic conversational skills in a more exotic language makes a statement: you’re willing and able to learn niche skills and develop your portfolio creatively and ambitiously. Even if you don’t learn a completely new language abroad, improving your existing English language skills will become extremely useful. Being able to communicate confidently in English and give presentations in a foreign language is something you’ll need regardless of your future career path. Comprehensive, polished and confident language skills never go out of style when interviewing for a job.
Networking
During your time abroad, you have the chance to make many new friends among both locals and other international students. Some of those relationships can blossom into lifelong friendships. These relationships can enrich both your personal and professional life. You will never know how the contacts you have made can help you in the future, from finding a place to stay when visiting a foreign country to even landing a job.
Cultivate 21st-century skills
The American non-profit organization Partnership for 21st Century Learning has identified 4 skills that are most needed in 21st-century education: critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity. All those skills can be learned by living and studying abroad, especially in a culture very different from your own. You will be presented with many obstacles during your day-to-day life, but with some creative thinking and cooperation with others, you’re sure to tackle all of them. At the end of your study abroad period, you have mastered all the skills need to thrive in this millennium.
Affordability
The living costs in Asia are generally considerably lower than in Europe or the US. You can feel abundant even on a student budget. This can be proved, for example, by the Big Mac index, which measures the purchasing power parity between two currencies by comparing the prices of a McDonald’s’ Big Mac burger in each country. In all of our destination countries, a Big Mac is cheaper than the US or European one. So don’t worry, you can enjoy your time abroad without breaking your piggy bank.
“I never could have imagined what kind of a benefit this experience is in working life. I started to look for summer jobs and internships when I knew that I am coming to study here. I sent three applications to different places and I got all the jobs. Can you believe it, all three!” –Jenna Hytti (Finland), studied abroad in China
Experience the rich and diverse cultures
Asia has rich and diverse cultures and immersing yourself in them is a life-changing experience. Whether it is architecture, the art of food, Asian cultures are always awe-inspiring. You won’t run out of sights to see or an attraction to experience in Asia because you never know what you might find on the next street corner. If you embrace the foreign culture and habits with open arms, you can find a completely new way of living.
It looks good on your resume
All the skills you have learned abroad will also interest your future employers. According to the biggest-ever survey on the subject, the QS Global Employer Survey Report, 6 out of 10 employers worldwide give extra credit for an international student experience, and more than 80% said they actively sought graduates who had studied abroad. It also matters where you go: employers seem to look favorably on the adventurous students. The more the destination country’s culture differs from your own, the more you will be able to learn, grow, and demonstrate your capacity to adapt and be flexible. This is why studying in Asia is often the best choice for your career, especially for students from Western countries.
Experience the quality of Asian education systems
One of the most important variables behind the miracle of the speed of growth and recovery in the Asian economies is the quality of education. Education in Asia aims to equip people to become productive members of their given societies and equip the students with the skills and mentality to compete against the masses of other applicants successfully. Asian students and schools continuously receive top marks in international rankings. Our carefully selected partner universities are all among the top universities in their respective countries.
Some of the best places to travel around
Asia is a dream come true for an adventurer. There are countless places to explore and exotic islands to discover. Travelling inside Asia is cheap and distances are not long. This means that whichever country you are staying in, traveling to other parts of Asia is easy. You’ll get the opportunity to see discover all of this exciting continent in just one semester and gather enough stories for a lifetime.
”There are plenty of travel locations to choose from in South-East Asia; big cities, paradise islands, natural wonders, cultural attractions and so much more. There are numerous choices of locations. Our group visited the islands of Tao, Pha-Ngan, Samui, Lanta, Phi Phi, Phuket and we travelled around Krabi during one trip. All I can say is that all these beach were absolutely indescribable!”
Asia Exchange student in Thailand
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