What are the essential qualities for international students?

The essential qualities for international students include adaptability, cultural sensitivity, effective communication, time management, resilience, problem-solving skills, openness to new experiences, and a strong work ethic.

How can I develop adaptability as an international student?

To develop adaptability, immerse yourself in the local culture, be open to new experiences, and stay flexible in your thinking and daily routines.

What role does time management play in a student's success abroad?

Time management is crucial for balancing academics, extracurricular activities, and personal life, ensuring you make the most of your international education experience.

2021-06-23 |

Study Abroad

8 Must have Leaderships & Soft Skills Qualities for International Students

What soft skills do you need as a student?

By Grad-Dreams

General

8 MUST-HAVE QUALITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Wear Confidence

Being abroad for the first time can be exciting as well as frightening. Some students experience sleepless nights initially due to the environment and confusion about all the new things around. There would be many such physical and psychological struggles that you might have to battle out, but you will get through this!! This is the time where you will learn new things and when you pass this, your confidence will boost up and you’ll be ready to tackle the problems you are going to face during your whole abroad journey.

These experiences will feed your confidence to an extent where you’ll start enjoying your challenges.

Responsibility

Though all the support and safety entangled with you while coming to a new country, you are going to face situations or issues where you are going to be the decision-maker. Whatever decisions you make, you have to be in – charge of them and think independently. Such skills are admired at universities abroad. Also, students having responsible and independent thinking do great in projects and interviews. Balancing your finances along with studying your desired subject will surely give you a skill for life.

Open-minded approach/Non-Judgemental

There will be many tasks/situations where you have to work in a team involving people from different countries and ethnicity. To become a team player you have to learn to accept different ideas, viewpoints whether you agree with them or not. You must be ready to learn different skill-sets, accept varied perspectives to prepare yourself for the global work environment in the future. Though these skills will help you academically as well as professionally, including these in your lifestyle will guide you throughout life.

Empathy

Yes! The quality of emotionally understanding your colleagues or teammates has always been significant. In universities abroad, you’ll soon be around students who will be ready to help and support you academically and personally. You will develop a sensitive understanding about fellow students or employees and hence understand their side and help them to work together. Understanding your co-workers or employees will also outshine you as a successful leader. This would spark your leadership skills and your colleagues will admire you, willingly work with you and also may reciprocate the same quality.

Researching Skills

You are going to a new residence, a lifestyle, or literally a new world. Right from the food, accommodation, and expenses to the university, courses, and scholarships you’ll need to spend a lot of quality time finding out the right choices for you. Not just internet surfing but finding genuine locations, checking with the university office, emailing, discussing with already settled friends/family, currency check, types of visas, university requirements, exams to take, etc. Also, you may need a counselor so that you don’t get stuck or make a bad choice, or may risk your finances.

Discipline – following rules in the new country and university

You might be following certain rules for yourself to follow your goal, but entering a new country and adjusting to the new rules and regulations is a difficult task. Firstly, you’ll have to get used to the university rules which are to be strictly followed, especially as an international student. Get thorough information about the admission procedures, documentation, and curriculum so that you don’t end up with an incomplete submission. Later, you must be profound with the country’s laws and government norms to avoid any violation in a foreign country.

Cheerful – friendly –social

You’ve got to improve your communication skills and be friendly in your approach towards (almost) everything. Being cheerful is a noble gesture everywhere, and is highly appreciated in countries abroad while approaching anyone. A favor, a question, some help – everything with a smile can really make a difference. Along with this, being socially proactive will help you connect to various professionals and companies to plan for your internships or job opportunities.

Adaptability

Every country has a variety in weather, language, food, accommodation, traditions, law and order, and government norms. You may fall sick, have a problem conversing and understanding rules. You’ll have to find ways to converse/ learn the language, get used to the weather; basically, you’ll have to enhance your adaptability. As an international student, you’ll have to be a keen learner and have an inquisitive approach to your learning.