How does studying abroad effect your career?

EDIT: Updated based on your comment to the question "When you say study abroad, do you mean doing all of your four years abroad, or just taking one term abroad?"

Since you're just talking about taking a term abroad, the answer is pretty clear: do it if you can. The benefits of being able to explore another cultural context is going to be extremely helpful for your ability to put your own culture into context. If you were thinking of doing four years abroad, I might urge some caution, but since it's just a few months I think you should totally go for it. Spending time abroad is not a cheap thing to do, so if you can line up some scholarships or get some financial assistance somehow, that could help it become a possibility.

Do it! Studying abroad might not help you in a specific career field but it definitely will provide you with a broader perspective on the world which makes you very marketable. Additionally, if you have the opportunity to practice a different language in the country you can add that to your resume.

Not sure I was clear but I think you should do it. Did I say do it?

Good luck.

I agree with others that studying abroad is an amazing opportunity, and I'd highly recommend doing it if you can! I studied Psychology, and both psych and theater are about understanding others and different perspectives. Immersing yourself in another culture is an amazing way to learn about others, and also helps you understand more about your own culture or place you are from. The realistic downsides are the cost, but it doesn't necessarily have to be much more than the cost of a semester/year at home - just do your research and budget for additional travel you may want to do while abroad; and you probably will experience some culture shock and discomfort from being so far away from family/friends/what's normal to you at first. But this is part of the process and what makes it such a great learning experience. I LOVED my time abroad, and really think I learned more from it than all my other years in college combined!

Studying abroad is such a valuable experience, and I've encouraged all my younger cousins who are now nearing college age to carve out at least a semester to do it. Once you're out of college, an opportunity to live abroad for an extended period of time may be harder to sort out. If you have an interest in that experience, college is a great time to make it happen.

My friends who didn't study abroad were mostly landlocked due to the timeline of their majors, a class(es) that was required for a major that held them to campus. If you have requirements that need to be accomplished while abroad, there should be programs you can find that offer classes that would fulfill them. I was a painting/art history/Italian studies major and choose to study abroad in Rome. The art history/Italian reqs weren't hard to find, but I needed to take a painting class abroad to stay on track for that major. Just something to keep in mind when you're researching programs.

I agree with everyone else that studying abroad is an excellent experience no matter where your career takes you. When I was in college, I didn't want to commit to an entire semester abroad so I chose to do a 4 week summer course in Oxford, England. I was a Psychology and English major, very involved in theater. I took a summer Shakespeare course that involved traveling to London to see a Shakespeare play, weekend trips, and a lot of coursework (reading, discussion, papers). It was my first time traveling abroad and it really changed my life. It sparked a passion for travel that has carried over into my current job (I was able to live in Dublin, Ireland for 3 months as part of a work rotation program.)

You should absolutely study abroad if you can! I studied abroad my junior year of college. I was a psychology major and had the opportunity to study psychology in Ghana. It was one of my best experiences in college. Also, there are tons of scholarships available for students to study abroad. It's a great opportunity to learn about other cultures, yourself, and the world in general. Study Abroad!!!!

+1 to all of the above, do it if you can! The semesters I studies abroad were amongst my most memorable and enriching, providing me with new experiences, interactions and perspectives. And to be quite honest, some FUN! My curriculum was rigorous and sometimes dry. The first semester in Belgium was valuable in giving me more hands on exposure to what I was studying for my major (International Relations), while my second in Italy applied to my minor, but allowed for a "lighter" academic experience where I indulged in the vastness of what the country: architecture, food and art, to name only a handful. I even took a cinema class and dabbled in sketching which I never had time for otherwise and quite enjoyed. Good luck and enjoy whatever experience your years of education bring, it can be a special time of your life.

Do it! Of course as long as you plan it out accordingly. It's an experience that you will never regret. I came to United States for school after completing my Junior College years. It was an eye opening experience for me. You will learn so much more regardless what it is. Believe me that it's a once a life time opportunity. You will learn so much more and grew up so much faster from that short trip than from a textbook.