New National Study Confirms Study Abroad Builds Career-Ready Graduates

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Survey from Forum on Education Abroad of 8,000 U.S. alumni reveals the lasting professional value of global learning

A new national study by The Forum on Education Abroad, supported by IES Abroad, provides powerful new evidence that studying abroad isn’t just life-changing, it’s career-shaping.

Drawing on responses from more than 8,000 alumni who studied abroad between 1956 and 2025, the Global Learning for a Competitive Workforce report demonstrates that international education builds precisely the competencies today’s employers say are in short supply: adaptability, communication, leadership, and creative problem-solving.

This survey is part of Forum on Education Abroad's Education Abroad: The Career Catalyst campaign. According to the Forum, Education Abroad: The Career Catalyst is a field-wide campaign to showcase the career-defining impact of education abroad—how it equips students with real-world skills, professional agility, and a broader perspective that sets them apart in the workforce. 

This campaign centers student voices, data-driven outcomes, and compelling stories that show how education abroad helps professionals not only survive in today’s ever-evolving global job market but thrive. 

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By the Numbers

The survey found that study abroad greatly impacts career readiness: 

  • 94% of graduates said studying abroad helped them build job skills.
  • 90% believe education abroad is an important asset for students’ career success.
  • Over half of alumni reported that their study abroad experience helped them get their first job after college.
  • More than half said studying abroad had a very or extremely important influence on their career path.
  • 58% credited study abroad with contributing to their career advancement.
  • Alumni who studied abroad more than once attributed nearly 60% of their career success to their global experiences.
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“These findings reinforce what we’ve seen for decades, and what we've seen in our own career benefits studies. Study abroad develops the necessary professional skills that make graduates stand out in the job market and thrive in a global workforce, which is now more important than ever. ”
Dr. Gregory D. Hess, President & CEO, IES Abroad
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The Skills Employers Are Seeking

When asked which competencies they developed through study abroad, alumni named:

  • Adaptability – 85%
  • Communication & interpersonal skills – 85%
  • Intercultural communication – 83%
  • Navigating difference – 72%
  • Creative problem-solving – 59%

These findings mirror the top competencies identified by the World Economic Forum and National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as critical for success in 2025 and beyond.

The data also underscores that study abroad provides immediate and long-term benefits. Alumni said their time abroad influenced the jobs they pursued, the industries they entered, and even how they advanced.

One respondent shared, “Studying abroad made me more competitive in a crowded job market, guided me toward doing work that I genuinely enjoy, and drastically improved my leadership and problem-solving skills.”

Reinforcing its 75-year commitment to advancing global learning and equitable access to transformative educational experiences, IES Abroad is proud to serve as a leading sponsor of this national study and Forum's Education Abroad: The Career Catalyst campaign.

Read the full Global Learning for a Competitive Workforce report, and explore our study abroad programs that help prepare students for their careers. 

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