In this edition of Mythbreaking, the Global Engagement team addresses some of the misconceptions surrounding education abroad. 

The University of Michigan has long been a leader in education abroad. Our schools and colleges offer an unparalleled range of international opportunities for students to engage globally. From study abroad programs to internships, from research to volunteer trips, more than 5000 U-M Ann Arbor students participated in experiences in more than 120 countries across the globe in the 2023-2024 school year.

While study abroad participation is rebounding and nearing pre-pandemic levels, the Global Engagement Strategic Plan, launched in 2023 by Vice Provost for Engaged Learning Valeria Bertacco, aims to dramatically increase and diversify student participation in international experiences over a five-year period. In the first year of the plan, new programs promoted early awareness of education abroad opportunities, diversified program offerings by location and format, promoted accessibility and affordability of education abroad programs, and enhanced pre-departure and post-experience support.

Yet, many students and their families remain hesitant to pursue education abroad, and these apprehensions are often grounded in persistent myths. To shed some light on the truths about study abroad, let’s dissect and debunk some prevalent myths and juxtapose them with the eye-opening realities.

 

Myth: Studying abroad won’t help students in their future careers. Employers don’t value international experiences.

Fact: Studying abroad helps students gain important skills needed in the 21st-century workplace. Some career-related outcomes of studying abroad include:

• Increased Intercultural Understanding: In our increasingly globalized world, the ability to navigate different cultures and understand various perspectives is invaluable. Employers seek candidates who can operate effectively in diverse environments.
• Broadened Worldviews: Living and studying abroad exposes students to different ways of thinking and problem-solving. This broadened worldview can make them more innovative and adaptable—a highly sought-after trait in any professional setting.
• Better Contributors to Diverse Teams: The modern workplace often involves collaboration across international borders. Students who have studied abroad tend to excel in diverse teams, bringing unique insights and demonstrating cultural sensitivity.
• Stronger Qualifications for Future Employment: Many employers actively look for candidates with international experience, as it signifies independence, initiative, and resilience. 
• A Broader Range of Career Opportunities: Students who study abroad often find that their career options expand. They might build networks across different countries or discover new fields of interest through their international studies.

 

Myth: Studying abroad extends a student’s time to degree, preventing them from graduating on time.

Fact: Study abroad is considered a high-impact practice closely linked to student success. 

Both national and institutional studies suggest that studying abroad does not extend a student’s time to degree.

In fact, at the University of Michigan, undergraduate students who participated in an educational opportunity abroad experienced the following:

• Higher Graduation Rate: U-M undergraduate students who participated in educational opportunities abroad graduated at a higher rate than their peers who did not study abroad.
• Same or Slightly Less Time to Degree Completion: U-M undergraduate students who studied abroad took the same amount of time, or even slightly less, to obtain their bachelor’s degree than students who did not opt for an international experience. 

These trends persisted for underrepresented minorities, Pell grant recipients, first-generation students, and STEM students.

 

Myth: Studying abroad takes students away from their home campuses, negatively impacting their sense of belonging.

Fact: Study abroad programs are designed to foster community and ensure that students build valuable connections both during and after their international experience.

Some outcomes of study abroad which positively impact students’ sense of belonging include:

• Building Communities with Diverse Peers: Far from being isolated, students who study abroad often form strong bonds with peers from their home institution and from other countries. These connections can last a lifetime and are instrumental in fostering global citizenship.
• Increased Self-Awareness and Understanding of Intersecting Identities: Living in a different cultural context encourages students to reflect on their own identities and how they intersect with the world around them. This self-awareness is enriching and enlightening.
• Deeper Relationships with Faculty: Many study abroad programs are led by faculty members. This close interaction can deepen academic relationships and mentorship, contributing to students’ personal and academic growth.
• Continued Engagement with the Campus Community: Upon their return, students often find they have much to contribute to the campus community, bringing back new perspectives and experiences that enrich classroom discussions and social dynamics.