Over the course of a decade, the number of tertiary students (i.e., students at a college or a university) enrolled in programs outside their home countries has almost doubled, from just over two million in 2000 to nearly four million in 2011. In 2012, more than 4.5 million students were enrolled in tertiary education outside their country of citizenship.

 

 

As national economies are becoming more interconnected, governments and businesses are increasingly relying on a workforce that is able to help them better understand the business methods, cultures and languages of other countries. The best way for students (i.e., future employees) to expand their knowledge of other societies and to improve their opportunities on the labor market is to study abroad.

 

The demand for higher education worldwide is exploding, and the value of studying at international post-secondary institutions is growing rapidly.  In 2011, more than 4 million higher education students were enrolled outside their country of citizenship. From year 2000 to 2010, the number of foreign students enrolled worldwide has increased by 99%.

 

Globalization is changing the way the world works, and employers are increasingly looking for workers who have cross-cultural competence and cutting-edge technical skills. Study abroad is one of the best ways students can acquire global skills and open up personal and professional opportunities.  By looking at research on the more directly quantifiable aspects of study abroad impact, studies demonstrate that students who study abroad have better grades, experience less attrition, and graduate from college at higher rates than students who do not study abroad.