Written by: Joaquín Pinto, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Long ago, the days when studying a higher education program abroad was only reserved for a selected elite. Nowadays, international mobility is the norm for university students, because it is the best way to improve a foreign language, expand your network and immerse into new cultures and ideas.
The post-pandemic scenario has proven that this has been particularly enhanced by many students realizing how difficult it was for them to have their academic pathway interrupted in a very critical way. Indeed, many options appeared online and some hybrid solutions were improved, and these bring great value to many students, but they cannot replace the experience of an international program abroad. Also, the offer for international higher education studies is now broader than ever, and it is no longer only reserved for traditional Masters. There are very market-oriented courses out there that allow students to improve specific skills that are in-demand, or even take this as the first step on a longer migratory path, being able to integrate in an easier way to a new country and, also be prepared for what the local market is requiring. Here are some of the main advantages of studying abroad this 2023:
1. Cultural exchange
In this globalized world, one can never underestimate the importance of being exposed to different cultures. The way you do business in Tokyo is not the same as Toronto, Paris or Dubai. The international student community is vibrant and it normally is the cornerstone of a new global network of opportunities, allowing students to better understand the particularities of different cultures without the need of traveling and living in several different countries. You just need to aim for a global program with a great nationality mix and choose a destination that offers a multicultural scene. Check out these incredible business programs in cosmopolitan destinations such as Toronto, Dubai or Malta, that add great value to your profile. Also, the exposure to new cultures also helps the mind to open to different points of view and allows different angles for problem-solving, one of the most important skills sought after by recruiters today. And, hey, who doesn’t want to brag about that friend in Hong Kong that will happily exchange his flat downtown for a personalized guided tour in your local city?
2. Take your networking to the next level
Doing an international higher education program abroad is one of the best-recognized ways to build a solid and broader network.
If you choose to do an MBA program, for instance, you’ll get to meet new people that can open numerous doors you weren’t thinking about before. That actually happened to me. While studying my MBA abroad, I met my current business partner and we launched Boom Studies, one of the leading international student agencies, despite the fact that neither of us came from the education sector. Studying is about learning new skills, of course, but it is also one of the most enriching experiences when adding new friends and acquaintances to your network. You never know where new business opportunities might take you, and then you remember that you know this great lady from Germany, that specialized in biotechnology or this Brazilian owner of an ed-tech platform trying to teach math to children in emerging countries and that they are just a call or a message away. Nothing beats the experience of having a couple of cold ones after a tough exam or working thoroughly on an A-mark team presentation to be able to consolidate new friendships.
3. Improving your job opportunities
Of course, today, education is a lifelong pathway. You need to constantly reinvent yourself to keep up with the pace of new technologies, new ways of doing things, and understanding the ever changing business environment. This is why I decided to study an MBA program, 10 years after I finished my first Masters degree, becauseI was aware that I needed some fresh knowledge. So, it is never too late to take on new study challenges. A specific-oriented course can help you very quickly to get to that important managerial position you were aiming at, without the need to spend two years on a masters degree. Here is an example of short courses (6 months) that can help you to achieve your next step in vibrant cities such as Vancouver or Dubai Also, an international study experience is something that most companies are looking for, since it implies many crucial skills such as adaptability, foreign languages or communication.
4. Improving your language skills
Maybe you already have important English skills, but you need to improve your business-oriented language skills, or maybe you want to learn a foreign language, such as French, or Arabic, that may be important for your industry or for a relocation. In any case, studying a higher education program abroad is the right move for you. Not only are courses normally taught in English, but you also need to communicate with your fellow students and this normally happens in English as well. If you choose a city like Montreal, for instance, you will be able to learn French in your day-to-day life, while having a smooth adaptation process, since almost everyone is bilingual. Check out these fantastic options in the most European of the North American cities, here.
But, also, if you need a specific test, like Cambridge, IELTS, or TOEFL for your next career move, there are great options out there that you can combine with a short stay in an English-speaking country, allowing you to have a full immersion which normally helps you to improve in a very fast pace.
There are great options in countries like Ireland or Malta for this, that you can check here, and of course, you’ll get to know beautiful places and exchange with international students seeking the same objectives.
You can also combine language and higher education programs, so you’ll be sure to take the best out of the latter.
5. Preparing for new beginnings
Studying abroad is also a great opportunity to prepare for new beginnings. Many professionals are looking for a change, for new horizons, and a higher education program is the perfect setting for a well-designed migration plan.
Most of the countries currently requiring specific skills are creating migratory pathways through education, because the policymakers consider education to be one of the best “filters” to attract the right people. For instance Canada has released it inmigration plan for the next two years and they are aiming at attracting nearly 500,000 new permanent residents per year in the following three years.
Studying abroad allows students to better understand the local work culture, to network properly and to better adapt to the country of destination.
Your profile is unique
In a scenario of the abundance of choice, many prospective students require some guidance in order to select the best program according to their needs, objectives, budget and timelines.
Also, it is important to understand the conditions and real opportunities each program offers, as each profile is different. But in any case, if you are not sure about the new objectives for 2023, try thinking about how an international higher education program can contribute to your life goals. It might well be a game-changer!
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Joaquín Pinto, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
A serial entrepreneur, Joaquín led several enterprises ‒ including an editorial and a consultancy - before co-founding Boom Studies in 2019, after identifying critical weaknesses in international students´experiences in Malta. Boom Studies is a travel to study agency which offers unique tailored support all along the customers´ journeys so that they have the best possible experience abroad. As the CEO of Boom Studies, Joaquín has managed to grow this start-up despite having launched a few months before the pandemic. Rough seas make good sailors, and Joaquín and his team were able to establish Boom Studies as a leading agency in Malta, thanks to dedication and innovative thinking. We also expanded to new destinations (Canada, Ireland and Dubai) and have big plans for the future.
A political science graduate from Sciences-Po Paris, Joaquín has lived abroad for most of his life, and is an expert in engaging different people, from government to private sector, or civil society representatives. Joaquín is a cosmopolitan citizen of the world with a passion to help others and connect people. So launching Boom Studies came naturally, and leading this company whose mission is to help people accomplish their dreams is the most fulfilling role Joaquín could have.
