In today's job market, it can sometimes be difficult to make yourself stand out from a pile of prospective applicants. However, individuals that have studied abroad have an immediate competitive advantage over applicants that may not have any international experience. That is why it is imperative to learn how to communicate and present your study abroad experience on your cover letter, résumé, and during an interview. Below are some tips and examples to help you make the most of your international experiences and get the job you really want.

A potential employer may not have studied abroad and may not understand what the experience means. It is up to you to effectively communicate the skills and proficiencies that will benefit their organization and convince them of the value of your experience. Keep in mind that even though the numbers are increasing, less than 1 percent of the U.S. college students have spent a semester or more abroad, so you are part of a very unique group!

What skills or proficiencies have you acquired or enhanced while you were abroad?
Skills that professionals with international experiences cite as being particularly useful in their careers include:
• Enhanced cultural awareness, sensitivity to customs, and cultural differences
• Foreign language proficiency
• Adaptability
• Ability to identify and achieve goals
• General improvement in communication skills
• Increased confidence and initiative
• Greater flexibility
• Sense of humor
• Awareness of global, economic, and political issues
• Ability to maintain an open mind and be tolerant of others
• Clarification of goals and improved self-awareness
• General travel skills
• Resource management
• Organizational problem-solving
• Crisis management
• Patience
• Listening and observation

Self-Reflection
Be prepared to give insightful comments about your experience at any time. Which stories encapsulate or highlight new skills and knowledge from your education abroad experience?
Linda -Gross, Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2003
• Share an example of how you set priorities to achieve a desired outcome in your study abroad experience.
• How did your study abroad experience enhance your knowledge, skills, and understanding of your intended career field?
• What assets might international study yield as opposed to someone who studied domestically?
• Share an example of a travel situation that helped you build your understanding of human motivation.
• How did this enhance your understanding of leadership or teamwork?
• Share an example of how your international experience has improved your skills in communication with others.
• How might this make you a better professional in your field?
• How did you adjust /adapt to your new cultural surroundings?
• Share examples from academic, social, and work settings. How did these influence your ability to interact successfully with others?
• Share an international experience in which you had to resolve a conflict or solve a problem. What skills and personal qualities did you tap into?
• How did the experience help you grow as a person?
• Share an example of a study abroad experience in which you took initiative to achieve a greater result.
• Share an example of a time when you may have been in danger or afraid. What did you learn from it? Why?
• What was the most significant thing you learned about yourself through your study abroad experience? Why?

Cover Letter
It is important to address the specific job you hope to acquire in your cover letter. These questions can help you focus.
• How does your experience relate to your field?
• What are the transferable skills?
• How might your international experience uniquely benefit a professional in that field?

Develop a strategy to specifically address these points in your cover letter or résumé.

My experience living in Chile will enhance my ability to communicate and interact effectively with the local Latino population. This position has the opportunity to work closely with...... or My studies in London, England provided me with a great insight into living in a multi-national environment and the cultural differences that influence consumers in different countries and will improve my ability to contribute to international marketing initiatives.

Even if your career goals do not include a specific international dimension at this time, you can promote the general transferable skills, such as independence, confidence, and problem solving.

Résumé
Be sure to locate your international experience in the best place or places on your résumé for your intended job.

If you participated on a study abroad program, consider listing the program in your education section rather than under activities or other experiences.
Example:
The American University of Rome, Focus: International Relations. January 2007-May 2007

If the experience included volunteering or an internship, list the experience as a professional experience rather than as an activity.
Example:
Marketing Assistant, Hamley's Toys, London, England

If you worked abroad but it was not particularly related to your intended profession, list it as work experience but concentrate on the cross-cultural learning.
Example:
The Black Dog Pub, Cambridge, England Served patrons in a local restaurant, worked as the only American in a British business, trained co-workers in American-style customer service.

If your résumé includes a section for skills or proficiencies, include specific skills acquired or improved upon while abroad.
Example:
"My experience in Morocco and Spain differentiated me from the masses of "standard" college graduates hunting for the most desirable jobs. I heard it time and again from employers."

Networking and Interviews
If your interviewer remarks or asks about your international experience, take it as an opportunity to expand. Don't let the opportunity pass by with a simple "Yes, it was great!" • Develop stories and responses in advance. Be ready to show it was a learning experience and provide examples.

• Utilize the reflection questions to formulate your responses and stories.
• Review the list of skills and develop examples of how you gained these abroad.
• Identify skills in the job description and create examples from your international experience that exemplify those skills.
• Be sure to use some domestic examples also and ensure your example/stories are balanced. It is better to illustrate critical thinking skills than to show-off or demean one culture at the expense of another.
• If you work better with models here is one you could use:
• Why you chose the program.
• Story that illustrates a skill.
• A few sentences about how that skill is transferable to the specific job.

Resources for Sharing Your Stories
Continue developing your stories. It is a great way to reflect on your experience and discover new insights and skills you gained abroad.

ISA Global Ambassador Program (GAP)
The GAP is designed to encourage your involvement in international education, by providing you outreach opportunities right on your home campus. As an ISA Global Ambassador, you would be working in conjunction with the study abroad office on your campus in whatever capacity both of you see fit. You would also arrange promotional activities on campus, as well as assist the ISA Regional Representatives during their campus visits. ISA would send you a Global Ambassador Packet as well as other ISA materials, including catalogs, to be used for promotional activities on campus. We would also encourage you to be creative in developing strategies that would be effective on your home campus.

Internship Opportunities?
Your international experience doesn't have to end when you come back to the US. Get involved! Local and international activities can help you adjust to being back as well as help you integrate your time abroad into your academic life and long-term goals.

Go Abroad Again
Now that your back, you may notice how much you have changed from your time abroad. You may have what's known as the "Travel Bug" and will look for any opportunity to continue building on your travel experiences. Many of our alumni feel their time with ISA was too short, and they choose to study abroad again with ISA in another program location. Currently, ISA has programs in 27 cities worldwide, throughout 13 countries. Depending on the program selected, ISA offers grants to students who have previously participated in an ISA program, regardless of the length of time that passes between the two programs. For more information, go to: http://www.studiesabroad.com/alumni/goAbroadAgain

Glimpse Magazine- Glimpse provides a forum for students to share their experience abroad. Submit your story for the online publication or the quarterly magazine. glimpsefoundation.org

Create Your Own Web-page or Blog- Create a website all about your experience abroad.

Your Local News- Contact your hometown or neighborhood newspaper. They may want to feature your experience.

ISA is headquartered in Austin, Texas. We are always looking for passionate and energetic individuals to join the ISA team. In fact, many of our staff members are ISA alumni. If you interested in possibly working with ISA, please send along a cover letter and your résumé to: Resumes@studiesabroad.com.