By: Edwin Oros, Graduate Student, University of Michigan<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a graduate student at the University of Michigan, I wasn\u2019t sure if studying abroad would fit into my already packed academic and professional schedule. I assumed study abroad was something mostly reserved for undergrads or students in less demanding programs. But taking the leap and joining a short-term, multi-country program in Europe turned out to be one of the best decisions I\u2019ve made in graduate school\u2014both personally and professionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By: Edwin Oros, Graduate Student, University of Michigan As a graduate student at the University of Michigan, I wasn\u2019t sure if studying abroad would fit into my already packed academic and professional schedule. I assumed study abroad was something mostly reserved for undergrads or students in less demanding programs. But taking the leap and joining […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16430,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[178,176],"tags":[35,181,107,328,108,78],"class_list":["post-16427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-and-professional-benefits","category-the-forum-nexus-experience","tag-europe","tag-featured","tag-forum-nexus","tag-intern-abroad","tag-study-abroad-2","tag-travel-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forum-nexus.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16427","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forum-nexus.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forum-nexus.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forum-nexus.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forum-nexus.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16427"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/forum-nexus.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16427\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16429,"href":"https:\/\/forum-nexus.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16427\/revisions\/16429"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forum-nexus.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16430"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forum-nexus.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16427"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forum-nexus.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16427"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forum-nexus.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16427"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Why Study Abroad as a Grad Student?
<\/strong>Graduate school often comes with a heavy load\u2014tight deadlines, research, internships, and networking obligations. But that\u2019s exactly why stepping away from the routine to experience another part of the world can be so impactful. Studying abroad challenged me in ways no classroom ever could. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, encouraged adaptability, and gave me an entirely new lens through which to view my field of study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Global Classroom
<\/strong>There\u2019s something powerful about learning international business in a city like Milan or discussing sustainable development while surrounded by the natural beauty of Switzerland. The program I participated in brought us face-to-face with European professionals, local organizations, and cultural landmarks that connected directly to our coursework. It made academic theory come alive in real-world, global contexts.
Each country we visited added another layer of understanding\u2014not just academically, but culturally. I learned how business, policy, and everyday life are shaped by the environments people live in. Whether it was attending company visits, speaking with local entrepreneurs, or observing how public transportation works seamlessly in places like Amsterdam, the trip sparked a level of insight that simply doesn\u2019t happen within the walls of a lecture hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growth Beyond the Books
<\/strong>What surprised me most was how much personal growth happened along the way. Navigating unfamiliar cities, coordinating travel logistics, and communicating across language barriers helped build resilience, independence, and problem-solving skills. These soft skills are just as valuable as any theory or model I\u2019ve studied in grad school.
I also met people from all over the world\u2014both locals and fellow students from other universities. These relationships, formed over shared meals, long travel days, and spontaneous adventures, are some of the most valuable takeaways from the experience. They reminded me that learning doesn\u2019t always look like sitting at a desk or writing a paper. Sometimes it looks like talking about your future on a train through the Alps, or reflecting on a museum exhibit with a new friend from across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Advice for Other Grad Students
<\/strong>If you\u2019re a graduate student considering studying abroad\u2014even just for a short-term program\u2014do it. Don\u2019t wait for the \u201cperfect\u201d time; there rarely is one. Find a program that aligns with your goals or interests, and be open to what the experience might teach you. It may not be the most traditional route through grad school, but it will absolutely be one of the most memorable.
Yes, it can be challenging to step away from research, internships, or summer jobs. But what you gain\u2014both personally and professionally\u2014is well worth the temporary disruption. The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and having global experience isn\u2019t just a bonus anymore\u2014it\u2019s essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts
<\/strong>Studying abroad gave me the chance to think bigger\u2014about my career, my studies, and my place in the world. It reminded me that learning happens everywhere, not just in classrooms. It brought new energy into my graduate experience, and it gave me stories, skills, and memories I\u2019ll carry for a lifetime.
To any fellow grad students on the fence: take the chance. Studying abroad might just be the most enriching part of your graduate journey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"