Studying in Europe isn’t just about beautiful cities and delicious food (though those help!). The experience shapes who you are and how you see the world.
Whether you’re joining Erasmus or another exchange program, here are 15 solid reasons to study abroad:
1. You’ll grow in ways no classroom could teach
Living in a new country challenges you daily. You’ll become more independent, learn to problem-solve in real time, and adapt to unexpected situations. This kind of learning stays with you forever.
2. You’ll make friends from all over the world
One of the best parts of a study abroad experience is the people you meet. These connections often last for life.
3. You’ll actually use those language skills
Spending months in a new country forces you to speak, listen, and live the language fast.
4. It’s great for your career
Career advancement isn’t just about grades. International experience shows employers you’re flexible, proactive, and open to new ideas.
5. It’s a personal development bootcamp
From navigating new cities to handling homesickness, you’ll return more confident, independent, and self-aware. Personal development happens in the in-between moments; missed trains, awkward grocery trips, spontaneous adventures.
6. You’ll gain a global perspective on your field
Seeing how your subject is taught in another country helps you think differently. You’ll gain new insights and perhaps even discover a niche or career path you hadn’t considered.
7. You’ll learn how other education systems work
Experiencing a new academic environment gives you insight into different teaching styles, evaluation methods, and learning cultures. It broadens your academic perspective and helps you compare approaches, especially useful if you’re planning postgraduate studies later.
8. You’ll build a truly international CV
Add an exchange program or study abroad experience to your CV, and you instantly show that you’re not afraid of challenges or new environments. Studying abroad makes your CV stand out in a competitive job market.
9. You’ll never look at your own country the same way again
Living in a different country often changes how you view your own. You begin to notice habits, customs, and values you hadn’t questioned before, and that can lead to a deeper understanding of your identity.
10. You’ll live experiences you’d never have back home
Joining student associations, taking spontaneous weekend trips, your days abroad will be filled with stories that just wouldn’t happen anywhere else.
11. You’ll realize how connected (and different) we all are
Being part of an international student community shows you how much we all have in common, and how much we can learn from our differences. It’s a perspective you carry into every future team or collaboration.
12. You’ll find your limits, and break through them
Missed buses, misunderstood directions, adapting to new rules, yes, it’s sometimes frustrating. But those moments teach you resilience, flexibility, and problem-solving like nothing else.
13. Europe is easy to travel around
A huge perk of studying in Europe is that weekend getaways are within reach. Trains, buses, budget flights. You could have lunch in Italy and dinner in Austria.
14. Exchange programs make it super accessible
Thanks to exchange programs like Erasmus, going abroad doesn’t mean starting from scratch. Your university helps with paperwork, and you might even get financial support.
Want to make your budget go further? Check out our Tips for Saving Money During Your Erasmus.
15. You’ll remember it for the rest of your life
The photos may fade, but the confidence, memories, and people you meet? That’s forever.
Final Tip: Protect your study abroad experience
Studying abroad is exciting, but things like illness, cancelled flights, or lost luggage can happen. With OnCampus Abroad travel insurance, you enjoy coverage from day one. So you can focus on the experience, not the worries.
