Putting Study Abroad on Your Resume

Did you spend part of college studying in another country? That experience can give you valuable skills that apply to both your personal life and career. Learn how to add study abroad experience to your resume and use it to strengthen your job application.

Studying in another country gives you the chance to experience a different culture and way of life. It can also add value to your job search by showing employers that you can handle new situations and work outside familiar surroundings. In this guide, we’ll explain where to place study abroad experience on your resume and which details are worth including.

Is Study Abroad Experience Worth Adding to Your Resume?

Yes, study abroad experience can be included on your resume. Since it is connected to your education, the education section is usually the most natural place to mention it alongside your degree. Depending on its relevance, you can also refer to the experience in your summary, skills, or work experience sections.

Adding international education to your resume can offer several advantages. In particular, it can help you:

Strengthen a resume with little work history: If you recently finished college and have limited professional experience, your time abroad can give your resume more substance.

Demonstrate independence and flexibility: Living and studying in another country shows that you can adjust to unfamiliar settings, solve problems, and manage challenges on your own.

Support international job applications: If you are applying for a position in another country, previous experience abroad can show that you are comfortable with relocating and working in a different environment.

Give your application a point of difference: International experience can make your background more memorable, particularly when you are competing with many applicants for the same position.

 

Steps for Adding Study Abroad Experience to Your Resume

Not sure where your international education belongs? Use these steps to decide what to include and how to present it:

1. Think About What You Gained Abroad

Before updating your resume, look back at your time overseas and consider what you gained from it. Did you become more confident? Improve your ability in another language? Complete a course that relates to your career? Write down the main skills, lessons, and experiences you picked up while abroad. Then consider which ones could matter to an employer.

2. Pick the Right Resume Section

There are several places where your study abroad experience can appear on your resume. Your options include:

The education section: Many candidates place their study abroad program beneath their main degree. Include the name and location of the school you attended overseas. You can also mention the length of the program, dates, concentration, or relevant courses.

The resume summary: Your summary can briefly mention international study when it adds value to your application. Explain how the experience connects to the position and why it makes you a stronger candidate.

The work experience section: If you held a job or completed an internship while abroad, include it with your other professional experience. When you have limited employment history, you may also be able to feature a substantial study program as an experience entry when appropriate.

The skills section: Add useful abilities you developed while abroad. Language skills, cross-cultural communication, independence, and adaptability can be especially useful when they match the requirements of the position.

3. Select Details That Match the Job

Consider the position you want when deciding which parts of your study abroad experience deserve space on your resume. Some details may have little value for a particular employer. For example, if you are applying for a software development position, mentioning a film studies course from your semester overseas may not strengthen your application.

Read the job description carefully and look for connections between its requirements and what you experienced abroad. If the employer wants someone who can adjust quickly and work independently, for example, you could mention how you handled everyday challenges while living in another country on your own.

If you want to check whether your resume presents your strongest qualifications clearly, review your resume score to see how effectively it communicates your skills.

Study Abroad Resume Examples

Want to see how international education can appear in different parts of a resume? These examples can help you choose an approach that fits your background:

Study Abroad Under Education

Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies

University of Washington | Seattle, WA

Expected graduation June 2025

Study Abroad: University of Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands

Focus in European Cultural Studies

Fall semester 2024

Study Abroad in a Resume Summary

Recent global studies graduate with strong communication skills and an interest in working across cultures. Completed a six-month study abroad program in Madrid, Spain, with a focus on international communication and cultural studies. Fluent in Spanish with working knowledge of French.

Study Abroad as Work Experience

English Language Tutor | University of Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia

Worked one-on-one and with small groups to help students improve English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and writing skills

Shared progress updates with faculty and adjusted lessons based on student performance

Created learning activities and study materials to explain language concepts in ways suited to different learning needs

Study Abroad Skills Section

Cross-cultural communication

Cultural awareness

Spanish language proficiency

Adaptability

Independent problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Ready to include your international education? Use OfferLanded’s AI resume builder to add your study abroad experience to your resume in a way that shows employers the skills and knowledge you gained while studying overseas.