How to Highlight Your Study Abroad Experience on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a powerful tool in the professional world. Yes, we get it, LinkedIn can sometimes be intimidating, and understandably so. However, employers are looking for the exact skills in new hires that study abroad provides.  

Did you just study abroad? Then maybe LinkedIn just became your new bestie!   

Study abroad is a unique experience that can be difficult to capture in one soundbite, and nailing down the right tone that is both professional and genuine can be tough. But we’re here to help make the process simple so your network can see an authentic representation of who you are and your incredible skills you gained by studying abroad.  

Here are six key ways to highlight your study abroad experience on LinkedIn. Take it from students who are actively using the platform to spotlight their experience:  

In much the same way it would be listed on your résumé, don't forget to feature your study abroad experience on your LinkedIn profile. You can put it in the “Education” section and also in the "Experience" section if you participated in some form of hands-on, experiential learning like an internship abroad. There's even an option to add “Volunteer Experience" if you did a service learning program or volunteered abroad.  View our sample LinkedIn profile.  

Be sure to connect with those professors and students who you met along your study abroad journey (always ask for permission first when tagging individual people!). Extending a thank you via LinkedIn to those individuals who made an impact on you is one great way to stay connected beyond study abroad and opens a window to further expand your network. You might just find that we’ll repost you on the IES Abroad page, too!  

See the full LinkedIn post.

We get it, it can feel uncomfortable to brag about yourself or talk about overcoming challenges, but LinkedIn is the place to do it. Plus, there is no shame in sharing with your network that you had the courage to study or intern in another country! In making such a bold move, challenges inevitably present themselves abroad. Navigating these challenges, like a language barrier for instance, shows your ability to adapt and learn! Don’t be afraid to talk about the hard stuff – what you’ve accomplished is both impressive and telling of your character. Show it off! 

See the full LinkedIn Post.

Study abroad is the perfect opportunity to enhance your understanding in your area of study. Thus, LinkedIn can be the perfect place to showcase your enriched understanding in a particular field – setting you apart from others who may be exploring that same topic or studying that same major.  

See the full LinkedIn post.

Break the stigma and show your network that your study abroad experience was more than just an adventure away (we know it was SO much more than that!). Spotlight your immersive experiences and the professional development that followed as a result. Take it from Devika Jhaveri, who shared her hands-on professional experience in Milan this past Spring: 

See the full LinkedIn post.

We know it’s not Instagram, but believe us when we say that your network wants to see your adventures! Complement your photos with a description about your experience and what you gained, and you’re golden. Take it from Gigi Oyola: 

See the full LinkedIn post.

Don’t stop there! The career benefits you gain from study abroad are plentiful. Beyond LinkedIn, be sure to add study abroad to your resume and cover letters, and check out other career resources on how to market your study abroad experience to land that dream job!  Visit our IES Abroad LinkedIn page.