Would you be surprised to learn that the WHO officially declared an end to the COVID Public Health Emergency only a year ago, on 5 May 2023? Fortunately, global travel restrictions were lifted in most countries long before then (in the UK a year earlier, in mid-March 2022). But those pesky masks and PCR tests lingered for a while longer to remind us of what we had lived through.
Why remind you of this? It surprised most of us to how accustomed we had become to come and go as freely as we wished. And it shocked us how devastating the pandemic was on global markets.
It reminded us that the world is a global marketplace and that for trade and business to thrive, we are reliant on each other.
A Global Perspective
Globalization is a relatively recent phenomenon, becoming popular in the 1990s to describe the “unprecedented international connectivity” of the post-Cold War world. This was thanks largely to advances in transportation and communications technology – think of air travel and the internet.
The world has never been the same, and COVID almost brought the world to its knees. Indeed, many businesses didn’t survive the pandemic.
A Personal Perspective
Most of you reading this will probably have a global perspective, whether you realize it or not. Meaning? You have an understanding – perhaps not fully articulated – of how interconnected the regions of the world are, economically, politically, and socially. You also have a perception – at least you did before you departed the shores of your home country – that people in other countries are “different”, and that these differences in “culture” shape how we view the world.
Your first encounters with some foreign cultures could probably be described as a “shock”.
I remember venturing out on my first Saturday morning in a Middle Eastern country. It was a sweltering hot day and I was wearing shorts and a T-shirt – the only person in the city, it appeared to me, who was wearing shorts, and I felt under-dressed. Until I sat down at a Starbucks and was joined by an American guy in shorts who was as relieved as me to see someone else in shorts, and advised me that we should probably “stick together”.
We had experienced “culture shock”. We had not yet developed a global perspective.
A global perspective means having a new approach to viewing the world one is involved and located in. Typically, this affects how people perceive and understand their identity, and that of others, as they continue to interact and learn new cultures.
A global perspective is one of the primary outcomes of a study abroad program.
Why is the Global Perspective Important?
The nature of work is changing, and where we do our work is changing. It’s possible to be a “digital nomad” – wireless internet, mobile hotspots, and smart devices have enabled us to work virtually wherever we want. This shift applies to hybrid learning, where educational institutions now offer hybrid or online learning options enabling students to study from different locations.
This generation has seized the opportunity to gain a global perspective for three main reasons:
- Personal growth: Immersing yourself in a new culture broadens your perspective, enhances cultural sensitivity, and increases your understanding of global diversity. Living in a foreign country also fosters self-reliance and independence as you navigate daily life, overcome challenges, and make decisions on your own. Not least, immersion in a different linguistic environment can significantly improve your language proficiency, making you more fluent and comfortable in using the language. Of course, there are also more opportunities to travel, making it easier to explore new places and visit nearby regions, enriching your life experiences.
- Academic and professional benefits: Studying abroad gives you access to world-class educational institutions specialized programs and teachers that may not be available in your home country. Employers often value international experience and the skills gained from studying abroad, such as adaptability, problem-solving, and cross-cultural communication. Building a global network of friends, classmates, and professionals can open doors to international job markets and collaborative opportunities.
- Broadening perspectives: Exposure to different worldviews and ways of thinking can enhance your understanding of global issues and cultural dynamics. Living abroad challenges you to step out of your comfort zone, promoting personal growth and resilience. Adapting to new environments and cultures improves your flexibility and ability to handle diverse situations and challenges.
A Gap Year?
Studying abroad and taking a gap year are not the same, although they can share some similarities, such as providing opportunities for personal growth, cultural exposure, and travel.
Both experiences can provide significant cultural exposure and the opportunity to immerse oneself in a different environment. Both can foster independence, resilience, and a broader perspective on the world, and both experiences can help you build a network of international contacts and friends.
But the key differences are important. Studying Abroad is academically focused, structured around a formal education program, with the goal of earning credits toward a degree. A Gap Year, on the other hand, is a break from formal education, flexible in nature, focused on personal growth, work, travel, or volunteering, and not typically associated with earning academic credits.
Each option has its own benefits and can be suited to different goals and life stages.
Final Thought
EU Business School has three modern campuses situated in three of Europe’s most exciting cities – Barcelona, Geneva, and Munich. Experience the best of European culture and business leadership by enrolling today in one of EU’s smorgasbord of business courses. There is no better way to broaden your global perspective.
