Alumni Report How Education Abroad Positively Influenced Their Career Success

The Forum on Education Abroad today announced the release of its latest research report, “Global Learning for a Competitive Workforce: Findings from a National Survey of Education Abroad Alumni.”

The report offers findings from the largest known career-focused survey of education abroad alumni and the first such survey to be conducted since the major shifts in the field of education abroad and the higher education sector at large initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With more than 8,000 responses, the report offers a comprehensive look at how education abroad has impacted alumni’s career trajectories, built essential competencies, and contributed to long-term professional success.

“These findings offer even more evidence of education abroad’s significant value for career and economic success,” said Melissa Torres, President & CEO of The Forum on Education Abroad. “Through this survey, graduates have told us how much their education abroad experiences helped them develop skills and solve complex challenges in their workplaces. Employers should take note of this survey, as it shows the candidates with the skills they need exist—employers just need to ask about education abroad experience when hiring.” 

Key Insights
More than 90% of education abroad alumni say that education abroad helped them build job skills. 

Top skills developed through education abroad: 

• adaptability
• communication & interpersonal skills
• intercultural communication 
• navigating difference
• creative problem-solving

Education abroad participation supports career decision-making, self-actualization, and career success across the lifespan:

• A majority of respondents say education abroad participation had a very or extremely important influence on their career path.
• More than half of graduates say education abroad helped them get their first job after college.
• Most graduates say studying abroad helped them advance in their careers. 

Why This Data Matters

• For Employers: Education abroad cultivates many of the skills employers say are missing in today’s candidates. By asking about study abroad experiences and supporting such programs, employers can better identify and help develop talent with the competencies they value most.
• For Governments and Policymakers: Education abroad helps bridge the talent gaps in today’s workforce, benefiting not only individual participants but also communities, the economy, and the nation’s global competitiveness.
• For Colleges and Universities: Education abroad isn’t just a lifelong investment—it can deliver immediate career benefits for recent graduates. Educators play a key role in helping students recognize, develop, and articulate the career-ready skills gained through study abroad so they can confidently enter the workforce.
• For Students/Alumni and their Families: Studying abroad can boost both your immediate and long-term career success if you intentionally connect your experiences to your professional goals. Enjoy the adventure, but also practice articulating how your time abroad has helped you grow and prepared you for your future career.

About The Career Catalyst
This survey was conducted as part of Education Abroad: The Career Catalyst campaign, a field-wide effort to demonstrate how education abroad equips students with real-world skills, professional agility, and a broader perspective that sets them apart in the workforce. 
​
Additional campaign research includes: 

• “International Experience as a Career Asset: Exploring the Earnings Impact of Education Abroad Participation”: This study revealed that education abroad leads to higher earnings for all participants—regardless of academic performance, destination, or duration.
• “The Talent Advantage: What Study Abroad Alumni Can Do Differently in the Workplace”: This qualitative analysis of student blog posts shows how curiosity, connection, and persistence drive personal transformation during education abroad.

The Forum extends gratitude to alumni who took the survey and shared it with their networks. The Forum also offers thanks to the campaign’s Founding Supporters: API Foundation, CEA CAPA Education Abroad, IES Abroad, ISEP Study Abroad, University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), WorldStrides Higher Ed (WorldStrides), Arizona State University Global Education, CIS Abroad, and Tennessee Consortium for International Studies.
​
Learn more about the campaign, Education Abroad: The Career Catalyst. ​