Study Abroad Programs Crucial in Predicting Future Professional Success

A key aspect of education is the ability to immerse students in different cultural environments. Not only do such programs develop the professional and academic skills of the individual, but there are proven long term positive impacts from such experiences (Dwyer et al., 2004). Assessing how study abroad programs have effected students lives, Dwyer has found that they indeed positively impact personal, academic, intercultural, and career development positively. Understanding the ramifications of such findings, it is obvious of the importance of including such programs as part of curriculum at the university level for students, as we prepare the academics, professionals, and global leaders of tomorrow. Moreover, the length of the experience was a key aspect of how much the program impacted perceived success. Kedia and Cornwell (1994) established a theoretical basis for rationalizing it’s significance in an institution’s international education mission. The most basic mission for institutions such as universities is international awareness. Students with international understandings of the mechanisms involved in different culture allow them to act upon that knowledge. Therefore, from a business perspective, creating greater efficiency in decision making. Furthermore, Hadis has found that students who study abroad graduate with higher grade point averages than students who do not study abroad (Handis, 1998).