Studying abroad has become a transformative experience for university students, offering far more than academic enrichment alone. The chance to build international connections, adapt to new environments, and immerse oneself in different cultures provides a unique pathway for personal growth and development. From navigating cultural experiences to gaining independence in a foreign setting, a semester abroad offers students invaluable skills and experiences that leave a lasting impact well beyond the classroom.
The University of Guelph-Humber offers a wide variety of abroad locations including Bali which discovers the journey into nature, wellness and spirituality; London/Wales which dives into the background of social media marketing in soccer; and Morocco which immerses students in the culture of Moroccan North America, just to name a few.
“Alongside the 10-day tour, students can expect a hands-on, experiential learning experience— learning by doing, traveling, and sightseeing. The itinerary will align with the course theme, which could range from haunted houses to economic or cultural issues. Typically, it’s a 9-day course since travel to Europe or Asia often takes a full day. A knowledgeable course director will guide visits to locations relevant to the course theme,” said Dr. George Bragues, associate vice- provost regarding what you can expect while studying abroad.
According to DUB 45 per cent of study abroad students feel alone when living by themselves.
“Adjusting to the new environment wasn’t too incredibly difficult. I’ve been to Europe many times. But the biggest challenge was living far away from family and friends, which can be difficult for someone living alone for the first time,” said Paul Szczech, a 4th year student currently attending a semester abroad in The Netherlands.
Students may be attracted to studying abroad due to being drawn to new experiences, allowing themselves to gain academic knowledge or even for personal benefits. Experiencing one’s heritage also gives students a sense of pride and connection with where their ancestors originated from.
“I enjoy Europe’s architecture, art, history and food immensely, and being able to visit some places in Europe would be a great experience for me. Although I’m ethnically Italian, a large portion of my family is from Magna Graecia. Travelling there will allow me to connect myself with the culture I am unfamiliar with and one which influences both the region my family is from and the broader western world,” said 3rd year Kinesiology student Alexander Madio.
According to SSABROAD, 97 per cent of students studying abroad served as a confidence booster increasing maturity.
“Studying abroad enhances your career options, especially in a globalized economy like Canada’s, where international trade is key. Companies are looking for people with intercultural skills who can connect effectively with those from diverse backgrounds. This experience signals to employers that you’re independent and adaptable. It also broadens your perspective, taking you beyond the familiar Canadian context and showing you there are many ways of viewing the world, deepening your appreciation for the diversity of human experience,” emphasized Dr. George Bragues.
Moving to different environments for certain periods may contribute to factors such as culture shock and even seasonal depression. Culture shock is a term which describes the adjustment a person has to make when they are presented with unfamiliar surroundings or cultural environments.
“I think the biggest culture shock for me was just the pace of life. I feel like back home in a very Westernized society, the pace of life is very quick, and everyone is on the go. Where when looking at the Netherlands, it’s a lot slower pace and you get to enjoy the little things just a little bit more,” says Szczech.
According to Impel overseas, 64% of employers think that international experience is important for recruitment.
“One of my goals is to go to law school after my undergraduate studies. I think this trip having a liberal arts focus will allow me to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. These skills will help me in any career or academic endeavor that I try to pursue,” said Alexander when asked how he thinks studying abroad will help achieve his career goals.
Measuring study abroad success can be looked at through multiple aspects which include growth, communication skills, cultural/global awareness and even the ability to network in unfamiliar situations, state the Emphasized Journal of Transformative learning.
According to George, “the main way we measure success is through word of mouth. After the study abroad experience, especially around June, I often hear feedback from participants, which serves as one key metric. Another is our ability to keep attracting students, which has allowed us to continue this program for 13 years.”
According to Szczech, “any students who are willing to study abroad, the only advice I can really give is just do it. It’s truly a life-changing experience and the people you meet will potentially be there for the rest of your life. There’s such a big value in learning different cultures and meeting people from all parts of the world that you can just learn from their experiences.”
If you’re curious about the true impact of studying abroad or want to understand the potential personal and academic growth it offers, consider applying and experiencing it firsthand. Connect with the University of Guelph-Humber’s study abroad services to find a program that resonates with you and brings out your best.
*Photo, chuttersnap, Unsplash License
