Have you ever heard of ‘cultural intelligence’? The globally-recognised way of assessing an individual’s ability to work with people from different cultural backgrounds was introduced over twenty years ago by London Business School. In our increasingly connected world, however, its relevance has never been greater.
With cultural intelligence (CQ), you’ll know how to strategically use cultural differences to come up with more innovative solutions – a very valuable skill for international businesses. Therefore, whatever your career aspirations, CQ can help you stand out in the competitive job market.
One step towards increasing your CQ is to complete an undergraduate course abroad. Simply by living in an unfamiliar setting, you’ll be compelled to adopt new ways of thinking and acting, which has the potential to expand your worldview. Let’s explore the benefits of this life-changing decision…
Develop language skills
Whilst a growing number of courses around the world are taught in English, which is handy if you don’t know the local tongue, there’s no better way to learn a second language than applying it in real situations. Ordering food, buying travel passes and visiting the doctor will see you talking like a local in no time.
Meet new people
In 2023, oceans aren’t barriers to keeping in touch with friends in different time zones. The contacts you make while studying abroad will become part of your network, which is the most valuable asset you can have in your professional life. As the saying goes, it’s not what you know but who you know.
Be independent
Leaving home is a steep learning curve for most students (don’t forget to separate darks from lights when putting a wash on!), but moving to a new country takes that a whole step further. The challenges you’ll have to face independently will test your resilience and ability to problem solve.
See the world
One of the best things about studying abroad is all the sightseeing you can do in your spare time. From weekend trips to nearby cities to longer excursions during the holidays, students get to see the world in a way that is not possible as a tourist. Send us a postcard.
Interest piqued? Applying to Australian or New Zealand universities is a breeze with the help of support service Study Options.
