Why study abroad? International master's students give 8 key reasons

Studying a master’s abroad presents an exciting opportunity to learn new skills, discover alternate career paths, and make lifelong friends. But deciding where to go can also be a challenge. 

After all, there are tons of factors to consider. From the subject material, to the cost, to the location, it can be hard to pinpoint what exactly makes the right program for you—or even, which course elements you want to prioritize. 

A good way to start is to ask yourself exactly what it is you want to get out of the program. Are you looking to reskill? To make connections? To launch an industry-specific career? Or are you more focused on creating memorable new experiences? 

To find out, we asked recent master’s graduates and current students from top business schools exactly why they chose their international programs. Here’s what they said:

Why study abroad for your master’s?

1. To experience living somewhere new

One major appeal of going abroad for your master’s is the chance to engage with a whole other lifestyle and culture. 

It’s what attracted South African student, Keenan Fourie (pictured), who chose to study a Master's in Accounting at HEC Paris in France, not only for the school's strong reputation in accounting and finance but also the opportunity it presented for him to experience life in another country. 

“Being from South Africa, I had the dream of living and working in France, and I knew that HEC would take me one step closer to achieving it,” he says. 

During the program Keenan was able to connect with top companies across Europe, including McKinsey in Paris and AB InBev in Belgium—further cementing his dream of establishing a career overseas. 

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2. To learn a new language 

For many, the experience of living somewhere new also offers the opportunity to learn a new language—an asset that can be particularly valuable in the business world today. 

Bhavna Thakur (pictured), a current student on the MSc in Project Management at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, emphasizes the importance of this: "I'm from India, so being surrounded by native English speakers has accelerated my learning and helped me develop the confidence to communicate effectively in both academic and everyday settings," she explains. 

"Language is more than just words; it’s a bridge to understanding others, and mastering it has helped me connect with people on a deeper level. It’s also a skill that employers highly value, especially in today’s globalized workforce,” she adds.

3. To gain international experiences 

Of course, it’s not always necessary to move abroad for your master’s to gain international experiences and connections. 

For Matthew Donnelly (pictured), who studied his undergrad in Ireland, one of the most attractive aspects of the Master's in International Management (CEMS) program at UCD University College of Dublin (UCD) Smurfit Graduate Business School was the opportunity it presented to study abroad for a semester.

“I wanted to continue my studies in a course that had an international outlook, and I found that at the CEMS program at UCD,” Matthew says. 

A key program highlight was the term he spent studying in Cologne, Germany, which allowed him to work on projects with a diverse range of people. Students can also study in a range of different locations, including the US and Japan. 

4. To access greater career opportunities

If you’re looking to go down a specific career path, it’s important to look at schools that offer connections to your desired industry.

When choosing to study an MSc in International Luxury at ESSCA School of Management, US-born Natasha Jourdan (pictured) was convinced by the school’s strong links to famous fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and L’Oreal. 

“ESSCA's program offered an opportunity within the internship part of the program for global exposure and international networking. Also, graduates of the ESSCA MSc in Luxury Marketing have strong prospects for employment in the luxury industry,” she says. 

5. To broaden your skillset

No matter which master’s program you aim to choose—be it in accounting, marketing, or business analytics—it’s a good idea to make sure the curriculum will provide you with a wide skillset. 

For Katherine Villalobos (pictured), a graduate of the Master's in Finance at London Business School, it was important that she would have the opportunity to tailor her degree to her specific needs—especially since she was travelling all the way from Costa Rica. 

“When I was choosing which Master’s in Finance that I wanted to join, I took into account which one would not only give me the technical skills that I was looking for, but also where I could grow my leadership and soft skills. And I think that the huge range of electives that LBS offers [gave me] that opportunity,” she says. 

6. To expand your worldview 

Moving to a different country also offers an immersive cultural education, teaching you to understand how people from different backgrounds approach things.

For Aryan Goswami (pictured), learning about a new culture—and broadening his worldview in the process—has been one of the most rewarding elements of studying for a Master’s in Finance with a specialization in Sustainable Finance at Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. 

“Studying abroad isn’t just about changing geographies—it’s about expanding your worldview. Being immersed in a new environment exposes you to diverse perspectives that challenge your thinking and deepen your understanding of both global issues and yourself," he says. 

“As an immigrant student from India, the experience is even more transformative."

7. To experience a different teaching style

Business schools can employ a variety of teaching methods, so it’s important to understand which approaches best suit your needs when choosing where to study. 

Given that Swiss national Severin Hasler studied international relations during his undergraduate degree, he sought to find a program that would cover the managerial basics, as well as one that incorporated a more hands-on teaching style. Fortunately, he found this in the Master's in Management at Rotterdam School of Management in The Netherlands. 

“I really enjoyed the Dutch education system as it is a lot more interactive than what I am used to. Instead of one big exam at the end of the semester, it is usually a continuous assessment of your knowledge through different individual and group assignments,” he says.

8. To build independence 

Travelling abroad for your Master’s can also spark significant personal growth, helping you become a more independent and polished version of yourself.

This newfound confidence can propel your career forward, showing employers that you're a capable, reliable individual who’s willing to step out of your comfort zone when needed.

“In my experience, living in an unfamiliar new environment has forced me to be independent and think differently to overcome challenges. This independence has improved and changed my approach to work and life,” says Faida Ufaira Prameswari (pictured) from Indonesia, who is currently working towards her MSc in Global Health Management at Imperial Business School.

From making friends across the globe to finding new job opportunities, studying abroad for your master’s degree can be a positive move for your future career.