Your degree won’t take you anywhere unless you do a year abroad

We all know that one of the main reasons for studying a Modern Languages degree is the attraction of a guaranteed year abroad. But regardless of what you study, a year or even a term overseas can be an option.

Whether you spend it on the sunny beaches of Palma or in the icy depths of Moscow, an escape from the usual pressures of uni life is a godsend. Some spend the year pissing about on an Erasmus (easy on the study) program and drinking while others choose to gain valuable work experience. Either way, once you graduate you’re not getting anywhere without it on your cv.

Party with the locals and be more employable

One of the main advantages of studying/working abroad as part of your degree is that it gives you the chance to learn a new language. Regardless of whether or not you were already au courant with the native lingo, a year spent speaking and, more importantly, partying with the locals will get your language skills up to scratch.

This not only opens up the possibility of new friendships and romantic relationships but also makes you 100 per cent more employable. Whatsmore, once you get back you can finally eavesdrop on the conversations of foreign exchange students. C’est super.

Close shaves mean you’ve really lived

If you haven’t lived with a fascist in Italy or had a close shave on the other side of the Mexican border have you really lived? A year abroad isn’t just great in terms of picking up practical skills but also forces you to overcome obstacles which you wouldn’t normally encounter at home.

Whether it’s filling out nonsensical paperwork or figuring out how to make your jokes funny in another language, no task will be insurmountable and each challenge you overcome will bring you closer to adulthood. An ability to be verasatile and to step outside of your comfort zone will not only set you up for the challenges of post-grad life but will also make that final year of uni seem that bit less scary.

We’ll get better jobs with another language

In addition to being able to speak another language, you’ll possess all the attributes employers are looking for. Moving to another country for another year is no easy feat. It says you’re a risk taker, a chancer and someone who isn’t afraid to grab life by the cojones.

If I had to choose between giving a job to someone who’d been swimming with sharks or someone who had just spent the last three years languishing in Exeter I know who I’d pick. Living abroad makes you a more confident person in every way and who knows, you make some amigos who’ll offer you a grad job in the sun. It would definitely beat a year in rainy London.

You’ll have a free sofa to crash on everywhere in the world

Even if you don’t do a work placement or find someone willing to offer you a job post degree, a year abroad is a great way to make friends from all over the world. This of course means that you can understand different cultures and develop a multicultural awareness.

But the best part is the fact that you’ll have a free place to stay when you want to visit. You’ll just have to hope that the guy from Los Angeles who said “hit me up if you’re ever in the US” actually remembers you when you turn up on his doorstep.

If you need any more reasons to do a year abroad then frankly it probably isn’t the right choice for you. We’ll nod understandingly when you say that you couldn’t possibly leave your family/bf/gf behind for a year, that you’d miss your friends or that you don’t want to delay your career path, but we all know that you’re just a bit of a pussy. You’d be loco not to try it.