You may have chosen to study abroad during your time in college because it sounded fun, you wanted to learn a new language, and you wanted to go live and study in a new country. Having it help you prepare and succeed in your post-college career may have not been on your mind, but your experience can be very appealing to future employers.

How Study Abroad Can Help Prepare You for Your Career

1. You'll develop independence, which is crucial for any job. You'll know how to make decisions, demonstrate your initiative, and get things done when you're on your own.
   

1. You'll develop financial skills. Not only will you have to learn an entirely new system of currency, but you'll also have to manage your money within that system.
   
2. You'll be exposed to new people, places, and ideas -- and can talk about those experiences in an interview. Employers will know that you'll be comfortable in new environments and with a diverse set of people.
   
3. You'll be a more interesting and well-rounded applicant. Imagine two people applying for a job: one stayed on campus for all four years and can only talk about his experience there. The other studies abroad in Paris and can talk about the city and how his love of meeting new people will help him in any situation that involves clients. Which candidate would you choose?
   
4. You can speak about more than just college in interviews for jobs. Even though your internship in Tokyo was part of your college experience, it will sound like more than the traditional on-campus student job because of where it was, what you were exposed to, and what you did. Talk it up!