Brett Davis, the Eagles Abroad marketing intern, writes:

Not only is studying abroad an extremely positive experience from a personal standpoint, but an abroad experience can give you a leg up on others when applying to future jobs. Employers seek job candidates with international knowledge, strong references and local contacts.

Recently, I attended a career fair to meet with potential employers and deliver them my resume. Upon reviewing my resume, multiple recruiters expressed interest in my abroad experience. Being able to say I studied international business, spoke with overseas business executives and learned about sustainable business practices in New Zealand was a major attribute to hiring managers.

So for those of you studying abroad soon, try to get the most out of your program so when you return home you can effectively explain how positive the experience was in relation not only to your personal growth, but also to your future career.

Brett with Dr. Leticia Pena

Another place on your resume that a study abroad experience can boost is your references section. After my program, Dr. Leticia Pena, the faculty leader, became a reference on my resume. After spending a month in New Zealand with her, I am able to speak with her regularly for advice related to my business major coursework and job prospects. She can also speak to who I am as a person and a student to future employers. Her knowledge of me in an academic and extracurricular setting seriously increases my chances of obtaining a job.

Lastly, if you can make any contacts in the country in which you study abroad, these can be of use to you as references if you plan to work there in the future. Local contacts can also be helpful in providing knowledge of job openings and opportunities in their area.

Make sure you get the most out of your experience so you can show future employers how much you grew and benefited from study abroad.