08/01/2025

The Career ROI of International Travel

By Amber Blair

Travel at any age can be adventurous, relaxing, transformative, and just plain fun. Travel can also add value to a client’s career. Whether your client is a seasoned professional making a transition, or a high school or college student just entering the workforce, there is so much to gain from traveling abroad. By adding international travel experience to a job search portfolio, clients can gain unique and valuable assets like transferable skill growth, a broadened perspective, and networking that will help them excel in a competitive job market. 

Transferable Skill Growth 

Transferable skills are knowledge and abilities that can be applied across situations and responsibilities (Garoutte-Mohammed, 2025).  These skills are highly valued by employers and allow career professionals to flow more adeptly from one job or industry to another.  The following is a list of some of the most common transferable skills that can be acquired from international travel: 

• Initiative 
• Independence 
• Flexibility 
• Adaptability 
• Complex problem-solving 
• Critical thinking 
• Communication 
• Planning 
• Time-management 
• Organization 
• Receptiveness
• Cultural competence
   

The unique nature of international travel provides the opportunity for a great deal of skill acquisition in a concentrated amount of time. For example, being immersed in new situations and unfamiliar experiences naturally requires the traveler to develop critical thinking skills.  Additionally, navigating new customs allows travelers to develop flexibility, adaptability, and cultural competence.  Doing research, making an itinerary, and getting from point A to B are all ways to improve planning, time management, and organization skills.

Transferable skills can be especially useful in a competitive job market where employers are less open to taking a risk on candidates who do not have the specific skill set or training to fill a role. If your client can show that they can transfer their knowledge from one position (or experience) to another, they may attract more attention as they look for a job (Coursera Staff, 2025).  International travel provides a unique array of skill-building opportunities that clients can utilize with future employers, which career professionals can help identify, define and promote. 

Broadened Perspective 

In addition to transferable skills, international travel can uniquely provide clients with a broadened perspective.  International travel exposes travelers to different points of view, systems, and structures, which may lead to new ideas and a more open-minded, well-rounded approach to job responsibilities (Alton, 2017). The ability to see the bigger picture in an organization can set workers apart from their peers.  Career development professionals can help clients use this broadened perspective as a differentiator in interviews and on a resume. Furthermore, this broadened perspective can provide the tools for a client to demonstrate strategic thinking, a critically important leadership competency (Van Velsor, 2021).  A broadened perspective is one of many advantages individuals can gain from traveling abroad, and another key benefit is the expanding of a professional network.  

Networking 

Networking has many career benefits, including increased access to opportunities and professional growth and development. Because 70% of jobs are not posted publicly, and 80% of jobs are filled through personal and professional contacts (University Lab Partners, 2024), clients need the career development professional to provide networking guidance.  International travel, especially with a group or through a program, provides individuals a broader pool of people to connect and develop relationships with, both locally and abroad. A bigger network can lead to more opportunities throughout an individual’s career, as well as answer questions about career goals, such as the desire for future opportunities to travel. 

Taking Travel from an Idea to a Reality 

There are many ways to accomplish international travel, no matter a person’s background, career intentions, or financial resources. Career development professionals may be called upon to share options or suggest the client consider travel to support career exploration/goals.  As a career professional, being informed about a wide variety of travel programs allows you to help your clients generate ideas for how to make international travel possible.  By ensuring that your clients are familiar with these kinds of opportunities, you are empowering them to invest in their future.

The following list provides several avenues to explore for international travel experience. These are simply examples; the client and career development professional should completely research all options.

Options for clients in high school: 

• Rotary Youth Exchange 
  • Ages 15-19 
  • Opportunities span several days to a full academic year 
  • Room and board provided (youth stay with a host family) 
  • Rotary program website 

Options for clients in or just out of university: 

• Study abroad program through university 
  • Explore a foreign country while taking classes and earning college credit 
  • Available through a student’s own university, a foreign university, or a third-party like Council on International Educational Exchange or IES Abroad 
  • Typically stay in dorm-style accommodation 
• International internship 
  • Available through a student’s own university or a third-party 
  • Can be paid or unpaid 
  • Might allow a more immersive and business-relevant language experience if the student speaks the language of the host country 
• Fullbright Fellowship 
  • Post-baccalaureate experience 
  • Study, conduct research, or teach English abroad 
  • Highly competitive 
  • Includes stipend to cover room, board, and incidental costs 
  • Fulbright U.S. Student Program  

Options for any age - not connected to school:

• Volunteer or work exchange programs 
  • Receive room and board in exchange for labor
  • Popular work exchange programs include Workaway, Worldpackers, and WWOOF 

• Peace Corps 
  • Longer term service-oriented assignments (2 years) 
  • Peace Corp Program website 

• Self-guided gap year 
  • Pause educational pursuits or employment for a significant amount of time, such as a full year
  • Maximize creativity, resourcefulness, and independence by planning a curated travel experience 

Tools for Success

International travel offers countless opportunities for clients to enhance their careers, from developing valuable soft skills to gaining fresh perspectives and expanding their personal and professional networks. By exploring what the world has to offer, clients can not only accelerate their career growth but also enjoy the rewarding experience of personal enrichment. A well-informed career development professional can assist the client in learning that traveling abroad isn't just an adventure—it's a powerful tool for success. 

References 

Alton, L. (2017, May 19). 5 Scientifically proven health benefits of traveling abroad. Better by Today. https://www.nbcnews.com/better/wellness/5-scientifically-proven-health-benefits-traveling-abroad-n759631 

Coursera Staff (2025, April 25). Transferable skills: Why they matter & how to frame them in your job search. Coursera. https://www.coursera.org/articles/transferable-skills  

Garoutte-Mohammed, G. (2025, June 4). Transferable skills: 17 examples to boost your resume and career. Better Up. https://www.betterup.com/blog/transferable-skills  

University Lab Partners. (2024, August 22). Importance of networking. https://www.universitylabpartners.org/student-voices/importance-of-networking 

Van Velsor, E. (2021, May 3). A broad perspective: A must-have for promotion. Center for Creative Leadership. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/a-broad-perspective-a-must-have-for-promotion/  

Amber Blair is a CCSP and Total Rewards professional with over 23 years of experience. She is a storyteller and employee advocate who has worked for Fortune 500 retailers and in the manufacturing and energy sectors to improve the employee experience. Amber lived in Italy for a semester during college and, in 2010-2011, took a mid-career sabbatical where she traveled to 11 countries over the course of seven months.  Amber can be reached at junipercareerdesign@gmail.com.