Industry leaders across more than 20 fields have reflected on the “transformational” impact of study abroad experiences, with 98% indicating their international experience shaped their professional growth into leadership roles.
The research, conducted by Institute of International Education (IIE) and the AIFS Foundation, drew on in-depth interviews with 44 executives and decision-makers, and was launched at the NAFSA conference in Orlando last month.
“The skills and perspectives gained through education abroad are not only relevant but essential for effective leadership in today’s interconnected world,” wrote AIFS chairman William Gertz.
He highlighted that leaders consistently pointed to their experiences abroad as “pivotal moments in their personal and professional development”.
Of the 44 respondents, 96% indicated that going overseas was influential in developing cross-cultural leadership skills, improving their ability to work with people from different backgrounds, manage diverse teams, and build relationships across borders.
What’s more, another central finding was that respondents often did not fully appreciate the professional value of study abroad immediately after graduation, with its impact accumulating over time.
One of the report’s authors, IIE director of research Julie Baer, emphasised that study abroad “is not just a short-term academic experience, but a long-term accelerator for leadership”.
Notably, she said the benefits were not limited to certain fields but showed up across sectors “from science and technology, finance, arts, law, and education”.
The findings come at a turbulent time for America’s geopolitical relations, with fewer international students set to come to the US next academic year, and continued uncertainty around Optional Practical Training (OPT) and H-1B worker visas.
As the administration continues to obstruct international talent coming to the US, the study abroad sector has seen some recent congressional victories, but it too has suffered from consistent federal funding cuts and visa challenges over the past 16 months.
And while appetite for study abroad among US students continues to grow, rising costs and financial pressures at institutions are increasingly acting as barriers to participation.
According to a 2025 survey of four-year college students, over three-quarters of respondents said they hoped or planned to study abroad.
Yet finances remained the main concern for 80% of students and nearly half of those not planning to study abroad said the cost prevented them from doing so.
We see a key opportunity to broaden how we talk about study abroad across industries
Julie Baer, Institute of International Education (IIE)
Against this backdrop, Baer said “now more than ever” it was “critical” to understand how international education shapes individuals’ careers and their development as leaders.
“Particularly in this moment, employers are evolving their hiring expectations to look for people who can adapt, communicate across differences, and solve complex problems.”
“The findings indicate that going abroad can be a strategic investment in the future workforce and leadership pipeline,” Baer continued, advocating for a broadening of how we talk about study abroad across industries.
The report adds to a growing body of research highlighting economic benefit of international exchange, with NAFSA workforce research finding 96% of US businesses said performance would improve with greater global experience among employees.
As such, Baer highlighted the importance of individuals showcasing and articulating the value of such experiences, with many of the survey respondents highlighting how educational abroad is often not highlighted on resumes.
“We have an opportunity to move from thinking about study abroad as ‘where did you go’ to understanding it as ‘how did you grow into a leader,’” she said.
