Travel isn’t just about sightseeing, trying new foods, or meeting interesting people: it can also have measurable benefits for your brain. Research suggests that experiencing new cultures and languages can improve creativity, decision-making, and even resilience as we age.
If you’re considering an international internship or long-term travel, here are seven ways living abroad may positively affect your mind and mental skills.
1. Improved Creativity.
When you’re in a completely new environment, your brain is exposed to unfamiliar sights, sounds, and ideas. Studies in cognitive psychology indicate that extended exposure to different cultural contexts can increase cognitive flexibility - the mental ability to adapt, shift perspectives, and connect seemingly unrelated ideas. This mental agility is a key component of creativity.
In short, more diverse experiences can give your brain fresh material to work with, sparking innovative thinking.
2. Potential Cognitive Benefits from Learning a Language.
Engaging with a new language while abroad, whether you become fluent or just learn the basics, can be beneficial for long-term brain health. Some studies have linked bilingualism with the delayed onset of age-related cognitive decline, including dementia, although these effects can vary from person to person.
Even learning conversational skills in another language requires focus, memory, and problem-solving, all activities that can help keep the brain active and engaged.
3. Enhanced Decision-Making Skills.
Learning and using a second language may also influence how we make decisions. Research has found that thinking in another language can reduce certain cognitive biases, helping people approach problems more rationally and evaluate options more clearly.
This skill can be especially valuable in professional settings, where clear, balanced decision-making is essential.
4. Broader Perspective on Humanity.
Spending time in a different cultural setting often challenges assumptions and encourages empathy. Interacting daily with people from varied backgrounds can help foster a more nuanced understanding of human behavior and values.
Many travelers report a greater sense of optimism about the world after experiencing kindness and hospitality abroad.
5. Stronger Problem-Solving and Connection-Making Skills.
Cultural adaptability, being able to understand and bridge differences, can improve your ability to see links between seemingly unrelated ideas. This skill is valuable for creative problem-solving, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Living abroad can push you to think beyond “right or wrong” answers and instead search for solutions that work across diverse perspectives.
6. Clearer Sense of Self.
Immersing yourself in a new culture often makes you more aware of your own cultural background, values, and beliefs. Research in cross-cultural psychology suggests that navigating different environments can lead to a more defined understanding of who you are.
By comparing and contrasting cultural norms, you gain a deeper appreciation for the influences that shape your identity.
7. Expanded Perception and Worldview.
Language shapes the way we interpret and process information. Learning even part of a new language introduces new metaphors, expressions, and concepts, giving you alternative ways to think about familiar ideas.
This can make you more perceptive, better able to identify valuable information, and more attuned to subtle cultural cues.
Living abroad can be a workout for your brain. From improved creativity to better decision-making, the cognitive and personal growth you gain can be long-lasting.
If you’re planning an international internship or study abroad experience, remember that you’re not only boosting your career prospects, but you may also be strengthening your mind in ways that will benefit you for years to come.
