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There is no shortage of amazing benefits that come with making the decision to study abroad. Regardless of your destination or the specifics of your studies, immersing yourself in a new corner of the world and its people will deliver a host of benefits that will provide great value in your life. Students who go abroad to learn inevitably arrive home feeling more confident about themselves and their place in this world. Here are five ways that studying abroad can improve your self-confidence.
Learning to Navigate Public Transportation
One of the biggest challenges of moving to a new city in a foreign place is figuring out how to get around. Learning to navigate a public transportation system is no easy feat, especially if you are located in an unfamiliar place. This is compounded even further if the language is foreign to you. However, the sense of accomplishment that comes when you master this task will make you feel as if you can conquer anything. Your confidence will continue to increase with each day as you get your bearings and get around with ease. You will feel better able to tackle other parts of the world.
Mastering a New Language
Depending on where you travel, you may be forced to master a new language. While this may be intimidating at first, the confidence that you gain from learning this skill will provide value for the rest of your life. Learning to communicate in a way that does not use your native language will force you out of your comfort zone. If you are not ready to tackle the challenge of learning a new language quite yet, you may consider a study in Canada program. Not only will you be closer to home, but you will not need to add the stress of having to learn how to communicate in new ways to your list of things to tackle while on your adventure. Choosing a destination based on your comfort level is key to a successful study abroad experience. Consider starting somewhere that won’t involve learning a new language, but don’t be afraid to try it in the future after you get some experience!
Making New Friends
It is understandable to feel anxious after arriving in a new land where you do not know anyone. The best way to beat this anxiety is to get out there and make new friends. Pushing yourself to be social can be difficult for some people, but the payoff is well worth it. Throughout the rest of your life, you will be able to draw upon the experiences that you had meeting new people during your study abroad program. Knowing that you can set up a new social circle in any situation will give you loads of confidence in the future. During the course of your trip, you will develop ways to connect with others in meaningful ways and potentially build lifelong friendships.
Challenges Norms and Values
Although it may seem counter-intuitive, having your preconceived set of norms and values challenged will build confidence as you become more aware of yourself and what you represent. Travel is the best way to learn more about the world around you and to develop your critical thinking skills. As you encounter new cultures and people, you will see that there are vastly different ways of living that may not be what you are used to seeing. By challenging how you see yourself and your own personal set of values, you could become more confident in your beliefs or completely change how you view the world.
More Secure in Intellectual Capacity
One of the biggest benefits of studying abroad is all of the new things that you will learn. While some students enter the program focused on their dedicated subject of study, they often find that their whole intellectual capacity grows by leaps and bounds as a result of the experience. The ways that your mind will be stimulated through a study abroad program goes far beyond what you learn within the four walls of a classroom. As you stretch the bounds of your intellect, you will become more confident in your own abilities to solve problems and carry on conversations about a wide variety of topics.
You will grow and evolve in countless ways as a result of your study abroad program. Having to face challenges and disappointments along the way will teach you how to respond effectively to adversity. Conquering these difficulties will build your confidence so that you emerge with greater strength than ever before.
