How To Put Study Abroad On A Resume

If you want to study abroad, you can’t just say so on your resume, and you need to show why you’re interested in this particular experience and what it will do for your career.

That’s where this guide comes in: It will help you know how to put study abroad on a resume that focuses on what makes your experience unique and interesting from an employer’s perspective.

How To Put Study Abroad On A Resume

Focus On What Your Experience Taught You

Talk about the most important or meaningful things for you to learn and how those lessons will help you in your career or life. 

For example, if you studied abroad where English is not a primary language, talk about how this helped improve your ability to communicate with others worldwide. 

If there were specific classes or experiences during which these skills were developed, mention those as well.

Use phrases like “I learned…” or “I gained….” Don’t just say “I did” unless it’s an action verb; otherwise, it sounds like bragging rather than describing something interesting that happened during your time abroad.

Think About Your Stay Abroad

Before you decide what to add to your resume, take a moment to think about your time abroad. Think about what you’ve learned through the courses you’ve taken, the people you’ve met, and the places you’ve traveled.

Additionally, think about what skills and interests you have developed. Find out how you could apply your experience to your career path.

For example, if you’re applying for a job that requires a lot of travel, you can emphasize your love of travel on your resume. Show that you can adapt to a new environment and be productive during business trips.

Tailor It To The Job Application

Be selective about what parts of your study abroad experience you include on your resume. Only include items that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

For example, if the job description states that you must travel for work, state how long you studied abroad. It shows employers that you can adapt to new places and still be productive.

Choose Where To Place It

Your study abroad can have three different parts:

Education 

In the education section, you should list where you studied abroad under your current school. Include the name of the school, the city and country of the school, the length of study, and the relevant coursework and honors.

Read More: Top 7 Tuition free universities in Canada for international students

Experience

Have you participated in a part-time or full-time global internship? In this case, the best step is to include your foreign experience in the “Work Experience” section.

As you know, work experience is among the parts of your resume with a higher priority for potential employers.

Highlighting your global internship in this section will show how you not only stepped out of your comfort zone by living and studying abroad but also took it to the next level by gaining transferable professional skills from on-the-job training.

Hopefully, as you expand your professional network abroad, you’ve even made lasting connections you can use as references.

In the experience section, you can list any internships or programs you have participated in abroad. In your bullet points, tell what you were responsible for.

If you have extensive relevant experience abroad, you can have a separate section on your CV called “International Experience.”

Skills

Think about all the skills you acquired abroad and add the most relevant ones. If you’ve learned a new language, that’s a great skill to have on your resume. Indicate whether you have beginner, advanced, or fluent skills in the language.

Talk About How You Helped Other Students

If you were a leader, talk about how your leadership skills were put to use. If you helped others, talk about how your willingness to lend a hand made all the difference in the world for them.

If one thing stood out as being particularly helpful or inspiring, share it with us.

Give Specific Examples Of Projects And Research You Did During Your Time Abroad

Mention the name of the project and what you learned from it. Give a summary of your research.

Mention any awards or recognitions you received for your work. Mention any publications you had as a result of your work

Tell A Story Using Action Verbs Such As Worked Hard, Took Risks, Learned New Skills, Etc.

The best way to describe your experience is with action verbs and active descriptions. For example, “I worked hard at my job” or “I took risks in my career.” 

You should also use the present tense when discussing activities you did abroad so it feels like you’re still living through those moments.

Another way to ensure your resume gives off a positive impression is by using first-person pronouns for all your experiences abroad; this shows that you’re willing to put yourself out there.

If possible, include some passive and active verbs; this can help add flavor without slowing down reading speed too much.

Highlight The Skills You Gained While Studying Abroad

Your reflection should lead you to better understand the skills you acquired while studying abroad.

Think about the skills important to your potential employer: adaptability, communication, cultural awareness, independent thinking, leadership, time management, resilience, persistence, and more. Emphasize these skills directly in your resume and cover letter.

Use Strong Power Verbs

Words matter; use them intentionally, and potential employers will respond well. We recommend words of strong persuasion, such as power adjectives and verbs.

Power verbs refer to those action words that convey a positive meaning.

Also, Update Your Linkedin Profile

LinkedIn is a platform where employers search for qualified candidates, network employees, and find new job opportunities.

This powerful platform can help you connect with the right opportunity if you use LinkedIn right. You can view your LinkedIn profile as a supplement to your resume.

Add your study abroad experience, relevant work experience, and education to your LinkedIn profile to let employers know what a capable and adventurous candidate you are.

Conclusion

We hope these tips have helped you to add study abroad to your resume. 

The best way to get started is by asking your college guidance counselor or hiring manager for advice and help building a great resume, but it’s up to you.