Soft Skills You Build on a GLO Trip
Global experience is just the beginning, and the soft skills you develop are what else you’re bringing back.
Sure, studying abroad looks amazing on a resume. But let’s go beyond the stamp in your passport. When you join a GLO program, you’re not just visiting a new country, you’re building real-world skills that make you stand out to future employers.
We design our short-term, for-credit global programs to push students out of their comfort zones in the best way possible. The result? You return with a stronger sense of self and a toolbox of soft skills that employers are actively looking for.
Here are some of the top soft skills students gain on a GLO trip, and how they’ll serve you long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase.
1. Adaptability
From navigating a new metro system in Tokyo to adjusting to a different communication style during a business visit in London, you learn to adapt quickly and stay flexible. Employers value people who can keep their cool when plans change, and on a GLO trip, change is part of the adventure.
Real-world translation: You can pivot on the job, handle new challenges, and stay composed when things don’t go exactly as expected.
2. Cross-Cultural Communication
Whether you’re ordering dinner in a new language, observing business etiquette in a different culture, or collaborating with international peers, you’re constantly learning how to listen, interpret, and respond across cultural lines.
Real-world translation: You’ll bring cultural sensitivity and global perspective to any workplace, two major assets in today’s diverse teams.
3. Problem-Solving
Lost your bag? Misread a schedule? Had to work through a group conflict on the road? You figure it out. GLO programs create the perfect environment for quick thinking, resourcefulness, and confidence under pressure.
Real-world translation: You can stay solution-oriented in high-stress situations and contribute to positive outcomes on your team.
4. Time Management
Our programs are fast-paced. You’ll balance academic work, group schedules, cultural exploration, and sometimes even jet lag, all in two to three weeks. That takes serious planning and prioritizing.
Real-world translation: You’ve proven you can manage multiple priorities, show up on time, and meet deadlines – skills that matter in every industry.
5. Communication & Presentation Skills
During your trip, you’ll have opportunities to reflect, discuss, and sometimes present your experiences. Whether you’re networking at a business site visit or sharing a takeaway with your peers, you’ll get better at expressing your thoughts clearly and confidently.
Real-world translation: You’ll communicate effectively in interviews, meetings, and cross-functional teams.
6. Initiative & Independence
From booking your first train ticket abroad to budgeting for free-time meals, you’ll become more self-reliant, and discover just how capable you are. GLO students often return more confident, curious, and ready to take initiative.
Real-world translation: You show up as someone who’s proactive and doesn’t wait to be told what to do.
Bonus: A Great Story to Tell
You’ll leave your GLO trip with stories, about challenges, culture shock, new friendships, and personal wins. Those stories make for incredible talking points in job interviews and networking conversations.
“Tell us about a time you overcame a challenge…”
Cue that moment in Rome when your group missed the bus and had to reroute the whole day, and you took the lead.
Ready to Build the Skills That Set You Apart?
GLO trips are about more than just seeing the world. They’re about growing as a person, expanding your worldview, and becoming the kind of employee, and human, people want to work with.
