Study Abroad
VoyageMais believes deeply in study and abroad and that it is one of the most formative decisions a student can make. It is a means for challenging assumptions and building global fluency.
This section is a living resource for students and educational institutions providing key insights, links to financial resources, preparation suggestions, and inspiration. Whether you are a student considering or actively planning to study abroad, or an advisor planning for an entire cohort, you are in the right place.
Why It Matters
The research is clear: students who study abroad graduate with stronger intercultural competence, higher language proficiency, and better career outcomes. But the benefits go deeper than a résumé line.
Immersion can quickly accelerate foreign language acquisition and enhance classroom study. Learning another language also opens windows into other cultures. Students return not just more fluent, but more culturally aware; better listeners, better communicators, and better collaborators.
Living in another country — navigating its systems, customs, and daily rhythms — produces adaptability, empathy, and intellectual humility that shape how students engage with the world for the rest of their lives. The skills built through studying abroad are directly relevant in global companies and increasingly valued across industries.
Research shows study abroad can actually improve academic performance. European data from Erasmus found measurable improvements in graduation grades, particularly in scientific and technical fields.
Independence, resilience, self-awareness — students who navigate life in an unfamiliar culture develop confidence that outlasts the semester and informs every challenge they face afterwards.
How to Prepare
The students who get the most from studying abroad are the ones who do the work before they board the plane. Here is the VoyageMais framework for thoughtful preparation.
What do you actually want from this experience? Language fluency? Career connections? Personal challenge? Students who name their goals before arriving are more likely to make deliberate choices once they get there.
Go beyond tourism. Learn the history, political context, social norms, and current events of your destination country. Understand what local life actually looks like, not just the highlights reel.
This would depend on the non-English program. Starting early will help with retention. Some programs require a higher level of fluency, so that might require a few years of language study before going abroad or participating in an intensive immersion program like those offered by Middlebury College.
Visa requirements, vaccinations, health insurance — these details matter enormously. Build a checklist and start early. Many student visas require 3–6 months of lead time. Be sure to double check your passport expiration date.
Partner With Us
VoyageMais is building a study abroad consulting practice to help students and educational institutions strengthen and enrich their study abroad experiences, with a focus on cultural preparation, language readiness, and equity of access. We are currently accepting inquires. Get in touch to start the conversation.