The opportunity to combine study with travel is something that many people view with envy. There are many excellent reasons to simultaneously study and travel that ultimately result in personal and professional advantages.

Studying while travelling abroad enables a person to be challenged, acquire new skills and qualifications, experience different lifestyles and cultures, grow as an individual and, of course, relax and enjoy him or herself!

Among the many great reasons to study and travel abroad, five of the best are:

1:  An opportunity to see the world and enjoy new experiences

Many people for whom English is not their first language make the wise decision to learn English abroad and in a country where English is predominantly spoken. Making this choice positions them to not only maximise their exposure to and opportunities for learning the English language, it also enables them to experience parts of the world that are markedly different to their own and to open themselves to experiences they would be unlikely to have anywhere else.

2:  An opportunity to see their own country in a different way

Sometimes it is necessary to travel beyond your own country to understand more about it and how it fits with the rest of the world and humanity in the broader sense. It is often the case that, when you leave your own country, you are much better able to gain insight and possibly become even more proud of your own culture.

American anthropologist, Margaret Mead said, “As the traveller who has once been away from home is wiser than he [or she] that has never left his [or her] own doorstep, so a knowledge of one other culture should sharpen our ability to scrutinise more steadily, to appreciate more lovingly, our own.”

3:  Research and better understand your own heritage

Pursuing study in a country in which you have family history or connections can be another great reason to travel abroad. It is not uncommon for people to choose to study a language such as English at an international English language school. Australia has many excellent quality schools and colleges and numerous students choose Australia as their destination for work and study because they have relatives or other connections in the country or are interested in finding out more about the history of branches of their family in Australia.

Ultimately, studying and travelling abroad offers a wonderful way to learn more about your own ethnicity and culture and thereby discover more about your own identity and that of your family.

4:  The huge benefits of learning a language in a country where it is spoken

It is almost universally agreed that the best way to fluently learn a language is to be ‘immersed in it’. This means the best way to learn a particular language is to live in and experience a place where it is spoken.

For those who have studied a language for some time, there is incredible value in undertaking part of their study abroad. Alternatively, those who have little or no prior knowledge of a language often find that living and learning the language in a place where it is spoken results in them picking it up very quickly, confidently and accurately.

Of course, there are many benefits that come with learning a foreign language, not the least of which include benefits in educational development, communication and access to opportunities that would otherwise not be available.

5:  Enhance professional opportunities and financial prospects

It is often the case that when you have international experience your attractiveness as a candidate for employment increases. Personal growth is an almost definite by-product of international travel and study and the transferrable, cross-cultural skills that are developed can expand the range of employment opportunities available to you, as well as the remuneration that you receive.

There is no doubt that globally minded and internationally experienced employees are currently and will continue to be in high demand.

Combining study and travel enables a person to experience a host of personal and professional benefits. As well as invaluable exposure to other cultures and ways of life, living and studying abroad can equip an individual with a range of skills that enhance their employability and the likelihood of being paid well.

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