3 Myths About Study Abroad That Stop Business Students From Going
You’ve thought about it. Maybe you’ve even browsed a few program websites late at night. But every time you get close to applying for a study abroad program, the same doubts creep in: It’s too expensive. I’ll fall behind. It won’t help my career.
You’re not alone. According to the Institute of International Education, fewer than 10% of U.S. undergraduate students study abroad before graduation—and business majors are among the most hesitant, despite having the most to gain from global exposure.
The problem isn’t interest. It’s the study abroad myths that circulate through dorm rooms, LinkedIn forums, and family dinner tables. Myths that sound logical enough to justify staying put, but don’t hold up when you examine what modern programs—especially short-term, faculty-led experiences— deliver.
Let’s break down the three most persistent myths that keep business students from taking the leap, and replace them with what’s true.
Myth #1: Study Abroad Is Too Expensive for Most Students
The Concern
This is the big one. When you picture study abroad, you probably imagine semester-long European programs with $15,000+ price tags, separate housing costs, and lost income from part-time jobs back home. For business students already calculating ROI on their degree, it feels like a luxury they can’t justify.
The Reality
Study abroad doesn’t have to mean a semester in Paris with a separate apartment lease. Short-term, faculty-led programs—like those offered through GLO—typically run one to three weeks and cost a fraction of traditional semester programs. Many range from $3,000 to $6,000, including flights, accommodations, company visits, and course credit.
Because you’re only gone for a few weeks, you don’t lose an entire semester of part-time work. You don’t pay double rent. And because these programs are structured through your university, financial aid often applies.
Here’s what students don’t realize: the cost-per-learning-hour on a short-term program can be more efficient than a traditional semester abroad. You’re spending every day in executive briefings, site visits, and guided cultural experiences—not sitting in a lecture hall that happens to be in another country.
The GLO Difference
Take a two-week GLO program through Southeast Asia. Students visit multinational headquarters in Singapore, meet with regional executives in Kuala Lumpur, and participate in market analysis workshops in Bangkok—all while earning three university credits. The total cost? Often comparable to a domestic summer course when you factor in what’s included.
One recent GLO participant, a finance major from Arizona State, put it this way: “I spent less on two weeks in Asia than my roommate spent on spring break in Cancun. Except I came back with LinkedIn connections to executives at three Fortune 500 companies.”
Myth #2: You’ll Fall Behind and Delay Graduation
The Concern
Business programs are tightly sequenced. Prerequisites, core courses, internship timelines—it all has to line up. The fear is that disappearing for a semester will throw off your entire academic plan, push back graduation, and cost you a job offer.
The Reality
This myth made sense when study abroad meant a full semester away from your home campus. But modern short-term programs are designed specifically to fit your schedule, not disrupt it.
Most faculty-led programs run during winter or summer breaks, meaning zero conflict with your regular coursework. You leave campus the day after finals, spend two weeks gaining international business experience, and return before the next semester even starts.
The academic credit transfers directly because your own university faculty is leading the program. There’s no bureaucratic back-and-forth with a foreign registrar. No uncertainty about whether “International Marketing Strategies” in Madrid will count toward your upper-division business electives.
The Strategic Advantage
Here’s the part that really flips the script: going abroad during a break doesn’t just avoid delaying graduation—it can accelerate your career timeline.
While your peers are working retail or scrolling through Netflix over winter break, you’re building a resume line that reads: “Participated in executive seminars with regional directors at Unilever’s Asia-Pacific headquarters.” When recruiting season starts, you’re walking into interviews with specific stories about navigating cross-cultural negotiations and analyzing emerging markets firsthand.
A GLO alum who studied supply chain management described the impact this way: “I did a three-week program between my junior and senior year. By the time I interviewed for full-time roles that fall, I had something none of my classmates had—proof I could operate in a global business environment. I got offers from two companies that specifically mentioned my international experience in the feedback.”
That’s not a delay. That’s a head start.
Myth #3: Study Abroad Is More About Tourism Than Career Development
The Concern
Let’s be honest—when you hear “study abroad,” you think Instagram photos at the Eiffel Tower, not career advancement. The perception, especially among business students, is that study abroad is for people who want to “find themselves” or take a break from serious academics. Not for people trying to land competitive internships at Deloitte.
The Reality
Traditional study abroad programs—the ones where you enroll in a foreign university for a semester—can sometimes feel more academic than professional. You’re taking classes, maybe doing some cultural activities, but you’re not necessarily building skills that translate to a corporate environment.
That’s where business-focused, short-term programs completely change the equation.
Programs like GLO’s are structured as professional development experiences that happen to take place internationally. The itinerary isn’t built around museums and language classes—it’s built around boardroom access.
What a Business-First Program Looks Like
On a typical GLO program, your day might start with a breakfast briefing from a regional VP of operations at a multinational corporation. Mid-morning, you’re touring a manufacturing facility and asking questions about supply chain optimization. Afternoon sessions might include workshops on cross-border finance or panel discussions with local entrepreneurs.
Yes, there’s cultural immersion—dinners in local neighborhoods, guided visits to markets and historical sites—but even those experiences are contextualized through a business lens. You’re not just seeing another country; you’re understanding how business works in that country.
One student who participated in a GLO program through the Middle East described visiting both a family-owned logistics company in Dubai and a state-owned port authority in Abu Dhabi: “We got to see two completely different business models operating in the same region. In interviews, I could talk about the trade-offs between private-sector agility and public-sector stability in emerging markets. That’s not something you get from a textbook.”
The Network Effect
Here’s another layer most students miss: the people you meet on these programs aren’t just tour guides. They’re industry professionals who can become mentors, references, or future colleagues.
GLO has facilitated over 650 seminars since 1977, connecting more than 33,000 students with international business leaders. Many of those connections turn into internships, job offers, or long-term professional relationships. That’s not tourism—that’s strategic networking with a passport.
What Holds Students Back (And How to Move Past It)
Now that we’ve dismantled the three biggest study abroad myths, let’s talk about what’s really happening when students hesitate.
It’s not usually about the money or the time or the relevance. It’s about fear of the unknown. Wondering if you’ll fit in. Worrying that you’ll be the only one who doesn’t know the language or hasn’t traveled internationally before.
Here’s the truth: the students who get the most out of study abroad programs are often the ones who’ve never left the country. They’re the ones for whom the experience is genuinely new, who ask the questions everyone else is too self-conscious to ask, who make connections because they’re curious instead of trying to look impressive.
You don’t need prior international experience. You don’t need to speak three languages. You need the willingness to show up, pay attention, and engage.
If the myths we just covered were your reasons for waiting, you now know they don’t hold up. The question left is simpler: Are you ready to go?
The Real ROI: What Students Gain From Breaking Through These Myths
Let’s get specific about what happens when business students move past these misconceptions and commit to a program.
Immediately: You gain structured professional experiences that differentiate your resume. When you’re competing for internships or entry-level roles, “Participated in executive seminars across three ASEAN markets” stands out in a stack of nearly identical applications.
Within six months: You have interview stories that other candidates simply can’t tell. Behavioral questions like “Tell me about a time you navigated a challenging cross-cultural situation” stop being theoretical.
Long-term: You build a professional identity rooted in global competency. As businesses continue expanding across borders, the people who’ve already proven they can operate internationally—even through a short-term program—have a measurable advantage.
A 2019 study by the Erasmus Impact Study found that students with international experience were 50% less likely to experience long-term unemployment. Among business students specifically, those with study abroad experience reported higher starting salaries and faster promotion timelines.
That’s not correlation. That’s causation. And it starts with refusing to let myths make your decisions for you.
The myths about study abroad—that it’s too expensive, that it delays graduation, that it’s not career-focused—fall apart when you look at what modern programs deliver. Short-term, faculty-led experiences are designed for students who want global exposure without disrupting their academic plans or emptying their bank accounts.
If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to explore international opportunities, this is it. The programs exist. The financial models work. The only thing left is your decision.
Ready to expand your global network? Apply for your next study abroad adventure with GLO.
Frequently Asked Questions About Study Abroad Myths & GLO Programs
What is Global Learning Opportunities (GLO)?
Global Learning Opportunities (GLO) is an international education organization that offers short-term, faculty-led study abroad programs focused on global business, leadership, and professional development. GLO programs combine executive company visits, academic credit, and cultural immersion, positioning each experience as a student’s first business trip abroad.
What makes GLO different from traditional study abroad programs?
GLO programs emphasize professional exposure and real-world business learning rather than long-term academic immersion alone. Participants engage directly with multinational companies and industry leaders while earning academic credit in a short, intensive format.
How much does a GLO study abroad program typically cost?
Most GLO programs range from $3,000 to $6,000, which typically includes international flights, accommodations, company visits, cultural activities, and university credit. Because programs run during academic breaks (winter or summer), students avoid paying double housing costs or losing part-time income. Many universities allow students to apply financial aid to GLO programs.
Can I study abroad without delaying graduation?
Yes. GLO programs are designed to run during winter and summer breaks, meaning they don’t conflict with your regular semester schedule. Most programs last one to three weeks, allowing you to gain international experience and earn academic credit without extending your time to degree completion.
Are study abroad programs only for tourism, or do they help with career development?
GLO programs are structured specifically for career development, not tourism. Participants visit multinational company headquarters, attend executive briefings, engage in professional workshops, and build international networks. While cultural immersion is included, the primary focus is on developing global business competency and professional skills that strengthen resumes and interview performance.
Do I need prior international experience to participate in a GLO program?
No. GLO programs are open to students at all experience levels, including first-time international travelers. Many participants have never studied abroad or traveled outside their home country. Faculty leaders and program staff provide support throughout the experience, and the group format helps students navigate new environments together.
How does studying abroad with GLO support career development?
GLO programs help participants develop global competency, professional confidence, and international networks. Exposure to global business environments strengthens resumes and prepares students for cross-cultural careers. Many GLO alumni report that their international experience directly influenced job offers, interview success, and early-career advancement.
Who can participate in GLO study abroad programs?
GLO programs are open to undergraduate and graduate students, young professionals, and lifelong learners. Faculty leaders and university administrators also partner with GLO to deliver customized international seminars.
How do I apply for a GLO study abroad program?
Participants can explore upcoming programs and apply directly through the Global Learning Opportunities website. Application requirements vary by program and institution. Most programs are facilitated through university partnerships, so students should also check with their campus study abroad office for specific enrollment procedures.
