During the school year following 9/11 (2002-2003), the number of American students studying abroad increased 8.5% to an astonishing 174,000! This disaster jarred many into realizing we are not an isolated country but part of a global economy. Thus, in droves, they invested a year abroad to get to know more of the world they called home. Since then the numbers have remained strong.

But is this the only reason a student would consider uprooting from the security of college or university life in the US to study abroad for a year? According to those who have done it, the benefits are so numerous that an article of this size can only begin to list them. First, imagine your resume in a few years. It says, "Studied abroad for the year - at -." In our global society, that entry would be a great selling point for future employment.

Employers seek the experience and skills learned by the demands of cross-cultural learning. Flexibility, innovation, patience, creativity, and teamwork are just a few of these. While studying abroad, students develop self-confidence because they are daily forced to make decisions while in difficult situations. Language obstacles and cultural differences forces one to do what is needed to find answers, and to have a good sense of humor when they accidentally say something other than they wanted to. Immersion in a foreign language is a natural by-product of studying abroad. Every day application of a language, even if previously studied, can be a huge step.

Hearing natives speak the language and then practicing it, forces it to become much more familiar. A country's literature, music, art, and history are ubiquitous to students studying abroad. Enjoying these things in their natural settings adds new depths of appreciation. What do people in other countries think about Americans? Whatever it is, the view is obviously a stereotype. There is no such thing as a typical American.

Students studying abroad will confront these things first hand and, in the process, both dispel the stereotypes about them, and dispel a few of their own about others. An added benefit to studying abroad is the fact that the student is not alone in doing so. Students from many countries will be there, sharing their cultures and lives with the others. In this way, global awareness is compounded. Americans are usually a long way from other countries.

But in most other places of the world, this is not true. For example, special discounts are offered by Eurail for tourists. The train is economical and famous sites are rarely far away.

Most colleges and universities can advise students about what the options are for international schools. Your outlook could very well be changed if you invested a year in studying at one of the best international schools.