Study Abroad with Amizade Improves Employability

In an authoritative study published in the Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, researchers interviewed 352 firms, organizations and agencies across a wide range of industries throughout the United States to investigate how studying abroad impacts a student’s employability. The study concluded that employers’ value the intercultural/global competence and skills learned from studying abroad and that studying abroad can have a positive impact on a person’s employability.

Specifically, employers highly value experiential-learning programs with service learning and internship components.

The study found that the following opportunities make students more attractive to employers:

·         4-10 week summer service learning program

·         14-18 week semester program with classes outside university

·         14-18 week semester service learning program

Qualities that Employers Recognize are Enhanced by Study Abroad Include:

• -          Listens and observes well
• -          Flexible, adapts well
• -          Curious; wants to discover more
• -          Non-judgmental toward other world views
• -          Willing to take risks and to learn new things
• -          Recognize own world view is not universal

Personal Skills that Employers Realize are Enhanced by Study Abroad:

• -          Works well under pressure
• -          Analyzes, evaluates, interprets well
• -          Communicates effectively in intercultural situations
• -          Understand global economic and political trends
• -          Well-informed re: world events/history
• -          Effective socializing/doing business elsewhere
• -          Knowledgeable re: other history/culture

By participating in an Amizade service learning study abroad program, students gain these prized skills for future employment.

Amizade empowers individuals and communities through worldwide service and learning. We offer programs in nine countries, and those programs range from semester long service learning courses, short term individual internships.


Many thanks to Amizade Intern Laura Hoch for summarizing the information featured above! 

*Tooboff, Stevan, Michael Vande Berg and Jack Rayman. “Employer Attitude Toward Study Abroad.” The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad. http://www.frontiersjournal.com/documents/TrooboffVandebergRaymonFRONTIERSJOURNALXVWinter2007-08-pdf.pdf.