Boosted Career Prospects
It goes without saying that studying overseas can help you advance in your job. For many students, it is the key to networking opportunities, internships, and entry into the international labour market. And they are not mistaken! By giving you a worldwide perspective, cross-cultural skills, and a network of international contacts, studying abroad can improve your professional possibilities. In a competitive employment market, employers frequently place a high value on these attributes.
Beyondthestates claims that 73% of those who studied overseas talked about their experience during their interviews, and half of them think that their foreign experience led to a job offer. Even at the top universities, the experiences and soft skills you gain from studying and living overseas just cannot be replicated in a conventional academic setting.
According to Mark Lobosco, VP of Talent Solutions at LinkedIn, technical skills are important, but they can only take you so far in your career. To truly excel, you need soft skills those harder-to-measure but critical attributes that drive success. Lobosco highlights LinkedIn’s report, which notes that 91% of talent professionals say soft skills are as important, if not more so, than hard skills when hiring, and 80% of companies find them increasingly essential to overall success.
Studying internationally offers students unique opportunities to develop a wide range of soft skills crucial for personal and professional growth. Immersing themselves in new cultural settings strengthens adaptability and flexibility as students adjust to unfamiliar social norms, languages, and academic systems. These experiences also enhance problem-solving and self-management skills. Managing responsibilities independently in a foreign environment encourages students to become more resourceful and organised, building resilience through handling both personal and academic challenges.
Enhanced Employment Opportunities
Not every country specialises in the same academic fields, so if you’re passionate about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), the U.S. and Saudi Arabia could be ideal destinations. A significant reason students pursue education abroad is the impact it has on their employability. Research from UC Merced Study Abroad indicates that about 97% of study-abroad alumni secure jobs within 12 months of graduation, a striking contrast to the 49% of their peers who did not study abroad. Furthermore, international graduates often enjoy starting salaries that are 25% higher than those who remained in their home countries (UC Merced Study Abroad). This enhanced employability can be attributed to the global perspective and cultural competence gained during their time abroad, making them more attractive candidates in a competitive job market.
"Students who graduate from Effat University are not just academically prepared they are truly industry-ready," says Haifa Jamalallail, President of Effat University. "With Saudi Arabia's rapidly expanding job market, our graduates are exceptionally positioned to pursue successful careers both within the Kingdom and on a global scale."
The Future of Global Learning
As the world becomes more interconnected, studying abroad is no longer just a luxury it’s becoming a crucial part of a well-rounded education. Whether it’s the promise of better job prospects, the chance to develop vital intercultural skills, or the thrill of living in a new country, the benefits are clear. More and more students realise that packing their bags for a new educational experience abroad is one of the best decisions they can make. It is anticipated that more overseas students will travel to Saudi Arabia to further their education and make a name for themselves in the employment market as a result of the country's goal to have at least five universities ranked among the best 200 in the world by 2030.
