Today’s employers are looking for graduates who possess technical skills, work effectively in
teams, think critically and communicate effectively, especially across cultures in addition to
other qualities. One of the most important skills a person needs in order to be successful in
today’s global economy is understanding and working with different cultures. To begin to
understand cultural differences, it is important to have cultural training and to experience another
culture in that particular country. One of the best ways for students to experience another culture
is to take part in a study abroad course and to immerse themselves in another country’s traditions
and customs. The Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Fellowship Study Abroad Program
Report concluded, “What nations don’t know can hurt them. The stakes involved in study abroad
are that simple, that straightforward, and that important. For their own future and that of the
nation, college graduates today must be internationally competent.”
5
Not only should graduates be internationally competent, research indicates links between
studying abroad and improved graduation rates, as well as employability.
13 While the total
number of students in the US studying abroad is still relatively low, at approximately 10% of the
total student population, this number is actually at all-time high, which also takes into count
students at community colleges. Another study, Gaining an Employment Edge: The Impact of
Study Abroad on 21st Century Skills and Career Perspectives, indicated that with “study abroad
there was a positive impact on the development of a wide range of the 21st century skills,
expands career possibilities, and has a long-term impact on career progression and promotion.”
14
Currently, at the author’s institution 9% of the total enrollment studies abroad. This number is
close to the national average of 10%, however, in the School of Engineering and Technology
only 1.8% of the total student population currently studies abroad. Why are the national numbers
so low and even much lower in Engineering and Technology?
This paper will explore what employers are looking for in graduates, how can study abroad help
students achieve success, and the benefits of studying abroad for both the employer and the
student. The paper will look at some reasons why students might not take advantage of study
abroad programs and what can be done to change the attitudes of faculty and students on the
value of studying abroad to increase the preparedness of students for a career in the 21st Centur
