An MBA teaches you the theory behind being a leader. Working abroad or traveling internationally throws you out of your comfort zone and forces you to become a leader. Traveling tests many different skills and gives you that sought after international perspective and independence. Learn just how getting international experience can make you become a better leader and accelerate your career.
Travel requires a gutsier kind of person – someone who enjoys the thrill and adventure of exploring a foreign place and thrives in times of uncertainty. Someone who is able to think straight under pressure is exactly who a boss wants by their side in an important meeting or work emergency. Going abroad gives you the chance to develop and strengthen your ability to think on your feet and push your limits.
Spending time abroad forces you to get used to being outside of your element. When you’re thrown off your guard and don’t recognize anything, you have to learn to just enjoy and relax without knowing what to expect. It’s important for business leaders to be able to keep their calm even when they’re thrown off guard or in a strange situation.
Going abroad not only teaches you to be a more effective networker but it also takes your personal and professional network to the next level – global. With an international internship, you’re able to meet people in a foreign country who share your professional goals and interests and can offer professional advice. You’ll also be part of an international community of passionate, professional interns from all over the world.
Crossed wires and miscommunication are a natural element of traveling abroad, especially when you don’t speak the local language. Every culture has its own style of communication – a lot of it non-verbal. While traveling, you have to pick up on that as fast as possible and learn how to get your point across, while being polite and respectful. Improving your ability to communicate in all these different cultural contexts will make you a more effective and versatile communicator in the workplace.
There’s so much more beyond the borders of your town, region, country and continent. It takes going abroad to fully understand that – and to be able to capitalize on it. Not every culture wants the same product, or wants to be sold a specific product in a certain way. The more you’re able to recognize the wealth of culture beyond your comfort zone, the more knowledgeable you’ll be and the more opportunity you’ll create for yourself.
The world is becoming increasingly globalized, making polygots even more valuable in the workplace than before. Knowing a foreign language opens up career opportunities for yourself. For example, if your workplace is looking to expand to a Spanish-speaking country, the employees who speak Spanish are immediately more qualified to work on that expansion.
International experiences make you sharper in so many ways. Travel requires logistical skills, navigation, research, planning, speaking in foreign languages, cultural sensitivity, strong communication skills and more. The more experience you have exploring, the more these abilities will improve.
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Photo 1. based on Business, by Tuncay, CC-by-2.0
Photo 2. based on Airport, by Konrad Karlsson, CC-by-ND 2.0
Photo 3. based on LV woman, by Marius Boatca, CC-by-SA 2.0