Studying abroad can be an amazing experience that shapes who you are and how you view the world. After spending several months in a new country, immersed in a different culture, language, and education system, you’ll likely return home with tons of memories, knowledge, skills, connections, and impressive experiences for your resume.
But how can you share and announce your study abroad adventures in a compelling way on LinkedIn? With some strategic planning, you can craft interesting LinkedIn posts before, during, and after your time abroad to showcase your global journey to your professional connections.
Why Should You Share Your Study Abroad Experience on LinkedIn?
Here are some of the key reasons it’s worthwhile to share your study abroad experience on LinkedIn:
- Demonstrate your openness to new experiences and cultures – Studying internationally shows you’re adventurous, culturally competent, and able to adapt successfully to new environments.
- Spotlight key skills gained – Language skills, cross-cultural communication, independence, problem-solving and more can all be highlighted.
- Expand your professional network globally – Connect with classmates, professors, colleagues and new contacts from your host country.
- Showcase impressive institutions on your profile – The universities, companies or organizations you study at or intern for abroad can help build your brand.
- Inspire others to study abroad too – Your exciting posts might motivate peers or underclassmen to embark on their own adventures.
- Land scholarships and jobs – Demonstrating these experiences can make you competitive for future funding opportunities and career positions.
Overall, sharing your study abroad journey allows you to control the narrative and showcase the diverse knowledge and capabilities you’ll gain in a global setting.
What Should You Post About Before Departing?
In the weeks and months before your official departure, you can make some posts to pre-announce your plans and get your connections excited for you. Here are some ideas:
- Share that you’ve been accepted to study abroad at X university or in X country. Be enthusiastic and highlight some top reasons you chose this program and location.
- Announce any scholarships you received to help fund your experience and thank the organizations/donors.
- Ask for recommendations for must-see places or cultural tips for the country you’ll be visiting.
- Explain a pre-departure course you’re taking to learn key phrases in the language or research the culture.
- Share a countdown to when your program starts – “Just two months until I’m off to [country name]!”
Example pre-departure post:
“I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been accepted to study abroad this spring at the University of Barcelona in Spain! As a business major, I’ll be taking courses in international marketing and management to gain new global perspectives. My semester runs from January through May and I can’t wait to immerse myself in Catalan culture and get out of my comfort zone. I’d appreciate any tips from my network for must-see spots in Barcelona and Spain!”
What Should You Post While Abroad?
You’ll likely be busiest while abroad, but try carving out some time every few weeks to give your LinkedIn community some updates on your experience. Here are some ideas:
- Share photos from weekend trips or events at your university – briefly describe what you did and learned.
- List key courses you’re taking and how they’re expanding your knowledge.
- Discuss an interesting lecture or company visit that gave new insight into your field of interest globally.
- Highlight learnings about the local work culture or business etiquette compared to the U.S.
- Comment on cultural events, holidays or celebrations you attended.
- Describe an impactful volunteer experience or group project working with local community members.
Example mid-semester post:
“My semester studying business in South Korea is flying by! I just completed midterms at Yonsei University. My favorite class so far has been Korean Economic Development, where we analyze how policies transformed South Korea’s economy in the past decades. Outside class, I’ve enjoyed learning traditional Korean arts like calligraphy. Just 8 weeks to go – looking forward to more great experiences!”
What Should You Post After Returning Home?
Once your program finishes up, avoid leaving your connections hanging! Be sure to wrap-up by recapping highlights, key takeaways and next steps. Here are some ideas:
- Write a reflective summary of your overall experience – the cultural immersion, classes, travel adventures and key learnings.
- Highlight specific skills gained or enhanced during your time abroad – language proficiency, cross-cultural teamwork, problem-solving, etc.
- Share professional plans that relate to your study abroad location – such as upcoming job interviews with multi-national companies, graduate program applications focusing on that region, etc.
- Thank professors, organizations or individuals in your host country who made the experience impactful.
- Offer advice for others considering studying abroad based on what you learned.
Example return post:
“Just wrapped up my semester in Argentina! Living with a host family in Buenos Aires while studying at Universidad de Buenos Aires was an experience I’ll never forget. My Spanish skills improved tremendously through my courses on Latin American literature and politics. I’m feeling more prepared for my intended career in foreign policy. If you’re considering studying abroad, I highly recommend taking the leap!”
Top Tips for Creating Strong LinkedIn Posts About Study Abroad
Follow these tips to make your study abroad posts as compelling as possible:
- Show, don’t just tell – Include vivid details, examples, photos or videos to create an engaging post.
- Link to the institution’s website or specific departments/programs when possible to add credibility.
- Tag relevant connections from your host university or location when appropriate.
- Use descriptive captions on photos to provide context and tell key parts of your story.
- Tailor posts toward your intended career field and goals when possible.
- Craft clever opening lines to draw readers in – ask questions, use humor, reference current events related to your host country, etc.
- Use varied post formats like long-form text, short highlights, lists, etc. to keep followers interested.
- Don’t overshare irrelevant personal details – keep the focus on your studies, professional development and cultural experiences.
Additional Post Ideas to Highlight Your Achievements
In addition to the basics of pre-departure, during, and post-study abroad updates, you can create LinkedIn posts highlighting additional accomplishments, including:
- Being selected for a special internship, mentorship or recognition program abroad.
- Getting your work published in a foreign academic journal.
- Presenting research at an international conference while away.
- Being interviewed by local media about experiences as foreign student.
- Overcoming an obstacle or challenge that builds resilience – like navigating healthcare in different language.
- Starting a new club, organization or student service abroad and recruiting members.
- Being chosen for a selective additional travel opportunity or tour with small group of peers.
Showcasing these types of achievements demonstrates how you’re making the most of your time abroad both inside and outside the classroom.
Strategic Profile Updates to Highlight Study Abroad
In addition to creating written posts, there are several LinkedIn profile sections where you can feature your study abroad experience prominently:
- Profile photo – Use a professional photo taken abroad. You could be studying in a picturesque campus spot or trying on traditional clothes from your host culture.
- Cover photo – Show off an awe-inspiring site you visited in your host country.
- Featured section – Include “Study Abroad at XX University in Country during 20XX” with relevant details as one of your featured experiences at the top of your profile.
- Education section – List your study abroad university, degree, field of study and any special recognitions.
- Description summary – Summarize your overall experience and key takeaways in your profile description.
Common Challenges When Announcing Study Abroad
Here are some common concerns to keep in mind as you share your study abroad journey on LinkedIn:
- Time differences – Be understanding if people don’t immediately like/comment on your posts since they may be asleep when you share!
- Spotty internet – Draft posts offline when needed and upload later when you have a better connection.
- Staying active – Schedule some recurring post times and cadences in advance to maintain your sharing amidst travelling.
- Privacy concerns – Be thoughtful about protecting yourself by not oversharing specific locations/times if travelling alone.
- Limited access – If your study abroad program restricts social media, get creative with pre-approving posts before departure.
Who Should You Connect With About Your Study Abroad Experience?
Leverage your LinkedIn network to build connections before, during and after your time abroad:
- Professors and advisors who guided you through the application process
- Classmates who are attending the same study abroad program
- Student services staff and resident advisors at your host university
- Professors teaching you abroad – especially in your major field of study
- Professional contacts working in your host country in industries of interest
- Language partners or locals you practice your foreign language skills with
- Friends you meet through campus clubs or while travelling
- Social justice non-profits or other organizations you volunteer with
Broadening your foreign connections while abroad is invaluable for expanding your global perspective and future opportunities.
Conclusion
Studying abroad is a special experience ripe with professional development possibilities. However, others won’t learn about the skills you honed, global knowledge you gained or intercultural competencies you developed while away unless you purposefully share that journey.
Strategically posting compelling updates before, during and after your study abroad program on LinkedIn allows you to control that narrative. With reflective and engaging posts, profile updates and new connections, you can fully showcase the ways studying globally prepares you for future career success in our interconnected world.