Understanding the benefits of mobility from students perspective

The aim on this chapter is to encourage you to study or to do your internship abroad.

 

Upon completion of this topic, you will be able to highlight the benefits of learning abroad for your future studies and career.

 

Your study abroad journey provides you with a range of experiences. You can learn much more about yourself – your own values and beliefs. You can also make lifelong friends and open new career perspectives.

 

Students who have been abroad tend to highlight the following benefits:

You will expand your network of contacts

One of the most common reasons to study abroad is contact with people from all over the world. Collaboration with students from other countries is part of the dynamic. As a result, every interaction helps to build a personal network of contacts with a global reach.

 You will acquire new essential skills

The experience of getting used to a new culture and a life abroad can be overwhelming. Living in a new environment will not only test your problem-solving skills, but also improve your communication skills, self-confidence and your ability to adapt.

You will increase your employment opportunities

It is no secret that an experience abroad is excellent for increasing the employability of a graduate. From getting a greater fluency in a given language and obtaining positive qualifications to acquiring skills such as adaptability, efficient communication and intercultural understanding, the time you spend abroad is an excellent opportunity to broaden your horizon.

 

During the MOBVET project, students form Tartu Vocational Education Centre were asked to complete a questionnaire about the benefits of mobility.

 

For instance, one third of respondents highlighted developing independence and courage:

’Being away from home for a long time and getting out of the comfort zone definitely develops independence and courage.’

‘For me personally, a new environment and an independent way of life was a challenge.’

       ’I became much more independent and now I am not afraid of jumping into the unknown.’

 

22% of students pointed out getting to know a new country and culture as a benefit :

                      ’I was able to see the world, travel to a place where I would not otherwise come.’

                      ’For me, it was a challenge to discover the peculiarities of a nationality.’

                      ’I met new people, experienced a new culture.’

                      ’I learned how to cope in a foreign country.’

Another 12% of VET students highlighted the aspect of developing foreign language and professional skills:

                   ‘I got new acquaintances and also learned German.’

     ’One of the first experiences was that I could speak English very well, although it wasn’t practiced anywhere.’

    ’I was able to work for a multicultural company.’

    ’I saw new and different professional techniques and learned about the culture of work there.’

Lastly, 6% of students stressed that the most important thing for them was to get to know better themselves:

 ‘When I went to practice, I was in a new situation, alone. It immensely developed my self-confidence and it was a good opportunity to get to know myself…thanks to mobility, my self-esteem is much higher.’

Watch  “Benefits of Erasmus + mobility” (5 minutes)

Watch the interview of JAMK´s exchange student Lenka. Her thoughts about her experiences, video (2 min).

https%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D2ZvMd8DPVcY%26feature%3Dyoutu.be#mobvet

Watch the interview of JAMK´s exchange student Zuzana. Her thoughts about her experiences, video (2 min).
https%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DsNcGg6_1D7o%26feature%3Dyoutu.be#mobvet

Assignment:

After reading the tutorial and watching the videos,  write a summary where you will outline the three most important arguments for you why study abroad.

As an alternative, you can also present your ideas in the elevator pitch format – create a max. 2 min video where you will motivate your classmates to take advantage of the mobility window.