Prime Highlights
- 98% of executives across 20-plus fields said study abroad was pivotal to their leadership development.
- 80% of students cite finances as the biggest barrier to studying abroad despite strong demand.
Key Facts
- Research by IIE and AIFS Abroad drew on interviews with 44 executives across more than 20 sectors.
- NAFSA research found 96% of US businesses said greater global experience would improve employee performance.
Background
A new report has found that 98% of industry leaders across more than 20 fields credit their study abroad experience as a key factor in shaping their professional growth into leadership roles.
The research, conducted by the Institute of International Education and AIFS Abroad, drew on interviews with 44 executives and was launched at the NAFSA conference in Orlando in the last week of May.
Of the respondents, 96% said studying overseas helped them develop cross-cultural leadership skills, work with diverse teams, and build relationships across borders.
A key finding was that many leaders did not immediately recognise the value of their time abroad, with its impact growing over time. IIE director of research Julie Baer described study abroad as a long-term accelerator for leadership, with benefits appearing across science, technology, finance, law, arts, and education.
The report arrives at a challenging time for international education in the US. Fewer international students are expected next academic year, while federal funding cuts and visa uncertainties continue to affect the sector.
Demand among American students remains strong, with over three-quarters of four-year college students saying they hoped or planned to study abroad. However, 80% cited finances as their main concern, and nearly half said cost prevented them from going.
Baer said employers are increasingly seeking candidates who can adapt, communicate across differences, and solve complex problems. She described international education as a strategic buy in the future leadership pipeline, and she also urged everyone to shift how study abroad gets talked about across industries.
