Now more than ever, students, families and universities are asking the same question: what are the tangible benefits of studying abroad?
It was a topic that surfaced throughout NAFSA 2026 in Orlando, where international educators from around the world gathered under the theme “Global by Design” to explore the future of global learning and student mobility.
Among the presentations tackling this question was Education Abroad: The Career Catalyst, delivered by Dr. Michael Adewumi, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at IES Abroad.
About Dr. Michael Adewumi & Presentation
A respected educator and higher education leader, Dr. Adewumi brings decades of experience spanning teaching, research and academic leadership. Before joining IES Abroad, he spent more than 30 years at Penn State, where he served as Vice Provost for Global Programs and held a range of faculty and leadership roles. He has also served on NAFSA's Board of Directors and was the inaugural UNESCO Chair in Georesources Management at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, reflecting a career dedicated to advancing international education and global engagement.
Drawing on a growing body of research, Dr. Adewumi's presentation explored how international experiences contribute to career readiness, professional success and long-term employability. While study abroad has long been celebrated for broadening perspectives and promoting intercultural understanding, the session pointed to increasing evidence that its benefits extend well beyond personal growth.
As institutions and education abroad providers across the IES Global network – including SAF – face growing pressure to demonstrate outcomes and return on investment, the findings offer a compelling case for the enduring value of education abroad.
Research Shows Strong Career Outcomes for Study Abroad Alumni
One of the key takeaways from Dr. Adewumi's presentation was that the career benefits of study abroad are no longer just anecdotal – they are increasingly backed by data.
Research highlighted during the session found that graduates who participated in education abroad programs earned, on average, US$4,159 more in their first job after graduation than peers who did not study abroad, representing a salary premium of 6.3%.
The presentation also referenced additional studies that found positive outcomes for study abroad participants across several career measures, including securing employment, starting businesses, remaining with employers for longer periods and progressing into leadership positions.
For international educators, the findings help quantify what many have long observed: the impact of study abroad often extends far beyond graduation.
Importantly, Dr. Adewumi noted that these benefits are not confined to a single profession or industry. Rather, they appear across a wide range of sectors and career stages, suggesting that the skills developed through international experiences remain relevant throughout graduates' professional journeys.
What Study Abroad Alumni Say They Gain
The presentation also highlighted findings from the National Survey of Education Abroad Alumni, which explored how former participants view the impact of their international experiences.
According to the survey, 90% of respondents said education abroad had been an important asset to their career advancement. Most also attributed at least half of their career success to the skills and lessons they gained while studying abroad.
When asked what those skills were, alumni pointed to qualities that remain highly sought after in today's workforce. Adaptability, communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to navigate differences and creative problem-solving all featured prominently among respondents' answers.
Taken together, the findings paint a picture of study abroad as much more than a memorable educational experience. For many alumni, it was a formative period that shaped how they approach challenges, build relationships and pursue opportunities throughout their professional lives.
Why Employers Value Global Experience
Another talking point of Dr. Adewumi's presentation was the growing alignment between the skills developed through study abroad and those sought by employers.
In today's interconnected economy, organizations increasingly need employees who can communicate across cultures and build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds. These capabilities are no longer limited to multinational corporations; they have become valuable across virtually every sector.
Research highlighted during the session found that employers are no stranger to the importance of globally competent talent. A survey conducted through the University of Maryland's Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) found that 84% of responding companies expect to place greater emphasis on global competence in the coming decade. Nearly all respondents also believed their businesses would benefit from having a more globally competent workforce.
The presentation also highlighted broader economic benefits associated with education abroad. An economic impact study found that study abroad participation generated an estimated net impact of US$1.8 billion and supported more than 17,000 jobs. The strongest early-career salary premiums were observed in fields such as business and management, operations, sales, marketing and public relations. In sectors including information technology and education, study abroad was associated with higher rates of advancement into management and entrepreneurship, while in healthcare and social assistance it was linked to stronger employee retention and leadership progression.
Together, these findings highlight an important shift in how international education is discussed. While cultural enrichment remains a core benefit, study abroad is increasingly being recognized as a powerful tool for workforce preparation, talent development and long-term career success.
For universities, this presents an opportunity to more clearly connect international experiences with the skills and competencies students will need throughout their careers.
What This Means for International Education
The conversations at NAFSA 2026 made one thing clear: institutions are being asked to articulate the value of study abroad more clearly than ever before.
Students and families increasingly want evidence that international experiences contribute to academic success, career readiness and long-term professional growth. The research highlighted by Dr. Adewumi provides a compelling framework for those conversations, linking education abroad to stronger career outcomes, in-demand workplace skills and lasting personal development.
Importantly, these findings do not redefine the purpose of study abroad. Rather, they reinforce it. The qualities that have long been associated with international education – adaptability, curiosity, resilience, intercultural understanding and global awareness – are increasingly the same qualities employers seek in today's workforce.
As NAFSA 2026 demonstrated, the value of study abroad is no longer measured solely by where students go or what courses they take. Increasingly, attention is turning to how those experiences shape graduates' futures and prepare them to thrive in an interconnected world.
Study abroad remains a transformative educational experience. The growing body of evidence suggests it is also a powerful catalyst for career success.
