How Your Study Abroad Experience Can Make Your Resume Stand Out: Imagine going into that job interview so confident and prepared. You are asked, “What makes you different from other candidates?” You smile because you know you have your secret weapon which is your study abroad experience.
Do you get the flow? Alright, now that I have put a smile on your face, do not stop smiling. In this article of How To Write Your Study Abroad Experience On Your Resume, I will show you how you can make your study experience abroad stand out in your resume.
Why Does Study Abroad Experience Matter?
In today’s competitive job market, employers want more than just you being smart. They want people who have real-world experience, who know other cultures and how to be adaptable.
Why does it really matter, I will be narrowing some scenarios to these reasons. It matters because it helps you to:
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1. Stand Out Of The Crowd
I want to introduce David, who studied abroad in Barcelona to you. His resume stood out among hundreds of applicants applying for a marketing job in an international company. Why? He highlighted his experience navigating Spanish culture, his skills in communicating with the locals, and his ability to adapt to new environments.
2. Showcase Your Values
I love how Sarah who studied abroad in Tokyo found her passion in social justice. She was able to showcase her experience of volunteering at a local non-profit thus demonstrating her commitment to diversity and inclusion.
3. Skill Up
While studying in Sydney, Alex acquired good skills in project management, teamwork, and problem-solving. Here, his international experience helped him get an internship at one of the best consulting companies.
4. Explain Gaps In Employment: How To Write Your Study Abroad Experience On Your Resume
Emily was able to do this citing reasons when she took a semester off to study abroad in Paris. Instead of stressing out about the gap in her resume, she focused on her language skills, cultural immersion, and independence.
A vital skill she honed during her study abroad that will be relevant to a multinational organisation.
Real-Life Benefits Of Study Abroad Experience
It does not just end at this, let’s talk about some relatable experiences that you benefit from studying abroad and how they can make your resume shine
Studying abroad, will:
- Increase your cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Improve your language proficiency
- Enrich how you can navigate in a different community
- Heighten your independence and self-sufficiency
- Provide you with a wider professional network
- Improve your adaptability and flexibility skills
How To Incorporate Study Abroad Experience Into Your Resume
Let’s put into practice how you can incorporate your study abroad experience into your resume
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1. Bring Your Memories Back To Life By Reflecting On Your Life Abroad
Imagine yourself sipping coffee at that quaint little café in Florence, Italy, where you spent a semester studying art history.
As you reflect on your time abroad, you realise that:
- You developed an eye for detail in analysing Renaissance art.
- You honed your language skills by communicating with the locals.
- You became independent, navigating unfamiliar streets.
It is important to jot these skills and experiences down as you will need it when tailoring your experience into your resume.
2. Tailor Your Relevant Experience
Let’s see how Rachael, who is applying to work in the marketing department of an international company after her study in Tokyo, tailored her experience. This is how she did it:
- Created social media campaigns for Japanese clients.
- She outlined that she could demonstrate a realisation of cultural subtleties in marketing across borders.
- Highlighted her Japanese language proficiency. And voilа, her tailored resume earned her an interview.
3. Choose The Right Section In Your Resume Where Your Experience Can Shine
Consider these scenarios:
1. Education:
Highlight your academic achievements, relevant coursework and research projects as seen below:
- University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, CA
- Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration | May 2020
- Hong Kong University | Hong Kong | International Business Program | Spring Semester 2018
2. Experience:
Showcase your internship, volunteer or part-time work experience.
Example: Hong Kong Marketing Co. | Hong Kong | Marketing Intern (Spring Semester 2018)
- Designed social media campaigns targeting local businesses.
- Researched the market and analysed data
- Worked in international teams
3. Skills:
List your language proficiency, software skills, or cultural competencies
- Languages: Fluency in Mandarin
- Communication: written and verbal, email marketing systems
- Interests: International business, cultural exchange, photography
FAQ:
1. Why Is A Study Abroad Experience Important For My Resume?
Studying abroad would develop your cultural awareness, language, and adaptability, and, above all, enable you to align your experience to the real world which will give you an edge in the competitive job market.
2. How Would I Present My Study Abroad Experience On My Resume?
You can do this by reflecting upon your experiences, tailoring it to the job, and then selecting the right section where your skills and achievements can shine through either: Education, Work Experience, or a Skills Section.
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3. What Are The Skills I Would Have Learnt During The Period Of Studying Abroad?
The study abroad experience will enhance cultural awareness, language skills, independence, problem-solving, and adaptability.
4. Does Study Abroad Experience Explain Gaps In Employment?
Yes, emphasising your language skills, cultural immersion, and independence while studying abroad can explain or justify gaps in employment.
5. How Do I Effectively Highlight My Study Abroad Experience?
You can effectively highlight this using specific examples, quantify the results, and emphasise transferable skills that show value to potential employers.
Free Downloadable Resume Showing A Study Abroad Experience
This is an example of how a study abroad resume should look like, so when writing yours, it is important to tailor it to your field of study or job role you are applying for and avoid copying this word for word. Click here to download the free resume sample.
Conclusion: How To Write Your Study Abroad Experience On Your Resume
You can unlock the power of your study abroad experience to make your resume stand out. Find out how you can effectively communicate your cultural awareness, language skills, and adaptability to employers.
More so, it is essential to learn to focus your resume on how you can incorporate your study abroad experiences, highlighting its real-world benefits and the skills you acquired from them.
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