For generations, Indian families have invested in overseas education with the hope that an international degree would guarantee a prosperous career. The assumption was simple: get into a reputed foreign university, work hard, and success would follow.
But the rules of the game are changing. Today, the return on investment (ROI) of studying abroad is not determined solely by the name of your university. Instead, it depends on the skills you build while studying overseas—skills that help you stand out in a job market disrupted by automation, globalization, and artificial intelligence.
In an interview with TOI Education, Akshay Chaturvedi, Founder and CEO of Leverage Edu, explained it clearly:
“It’s absolutely pertinent that students focus on the different levers that can help them land their dream career roles. One of the most critical is building future-ready skills, whether it’s being AI-native, data literate, or cross-culturally fluent.”
This shift means that studying abroad must be approached with a clear outcome mindset. Your degree may open doors, but your skills, networks, and adaptability will decide whether those doors lead to lasting opportunities.
So, what skills actually move the needle for international students? Drawing from expert opinions, employer surveys, and academic research, here are the six future-ready skills that can make or break your career ROI if you’re studying abroad.
1. Be AI- and Data-Literate: Technical Fluency With Judgment
The buzzword of the decade is AI, and it’s no exaggeration to say that data literacy is becoming as fundamental as reading and writing. Employers across industries—from banking and healthcare to marketing and logistics—want graduates who can interpret data, work with AI tools, and apply analytical thinking to solve real-world problems.
Why It Matters
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, analytical thinking, AI, and big data consistently rank among the top five skills employers seek. With companies collecting more data than ever before, being able to interpret charts, spot trends, and make data-driven decisions is a career superpower.
What Students Should Do
- Take courses in data analytics, AI applications, or coding basics, even if your degree isn’t tech-heavy.
- Experiment with AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, or industry-specific platforms, but also learn to verify and question outputs.
- Work on projects where data analysis informs real solutions—whether it’s a business plan, a marketing strategy, or a sustainability project.
The goal is not to become a computer scientist unless that’s your path, but to become AI-native—someone who knows how to work with technology intelligently and ethically.
2. Internships and Applied Projects: Turning Theory Into Experience
One of the biggest pitfalls international students face is graduating with a strong academic record but limited work experience. Employers often care less about your GPA and more about whether you’ve applied what you learned in real-world contexts.
Why It Matters
A 2021 study in Labour Economics found that students with internship experience had a 12.6% higher probability of being invited to a job interview compared to those without. Research consistently shows that internships boost employability, career adaptability, and long-term earnings.
What Students Should Do
- Prioritize internships—paid if possible, but structured unpaid roles through your university can also add value.
- Look for applied research projects or consultancy opportunities where you solve problems for real businesses.
- Treat internships as more than résumé fillers—ask for feedback, build relationships, and collect evidence of impact (reports, presentations, results).
Remember: degrees open doors, but experience gets you hired.
3. Global Mobility and Intercultural Fluency
Studying abroad is no longer just about earning a foreign degree; it’s about learning to thrive in multicultural, fast-changing environments. Employers increasingly value graduates who can adapt, collaborate across cultures, and solve problems in unfamiliar settings.
Why It Matters
A 2022 study in Higher Education Research & Development confirmed that short-term and semester-abroad experiences develop adaptability, intercultural communication, and problem-solving skills that employers explicitly reward.
What Students Should Do
- If possible, participate in exchange semesters or study tours in a second country.
- Frame your international experiences like professional projects: keep a journal of challenges you overcame, skills you built, and outcomes you achieved.
- Practice cross-cultural communication—engage with locals, join international student groups, and work on team projects with diverse peers.
Don’t just say, “I studied in Spain”. Instead say, “I managed a cross-cultural project with peers from five countries, navigating language barriers to deliver a joint research paper.” That’s what employers remember.
4. Networks: The Power of Weak Ties
It’s often said that your network is your net worth, and this is doubly true for international students. Jobs abroad rarely come from cold applications alone. Instead, they flow through connections, referrals, and casual acquaintances—what sociologists call ‘weak ties’.
Why It Matters
In his groundbreaking 1973 study in the American Journal of Sociology, Mark Granovetter found that weak ties (acquaintances, not close friends) are more likely to provide novel job leads and opportunities. Decades of research confirm this finding.
What Students Should Do
- Attend alumni events, industry meetups, and university networking sessions early in your program.
- Use LinkedIn strategically: reach out to alumni, request informational interviews, and stay active with posts and comments.
- Find mentors among professors, supervisors, or senior professionals.
The hidden job market is real. Many opportunities never get posted—they circulate through networks. The earlier you build weak ties, the stronger your career prospects.
5. Social Skills, Adaptability, and Communication – The Soft-Skill Premium
As automation and AI handle more technical tasks, what remains uniquely human are soft skills—the ability to communicate, collaborate, lead, and adapt. These are not “nice-to-haves” anymore; they are career accelerators.
Why It Matters
Research published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics (2017) showed that jobs requiring high levels of social interaction have grown significantly, and the labor market increasingly rewards social skills.
Employers don’t just want coders who can code or analysts who can crunch numbers—they want professionals who can:
- Explain insights clearly,
- Persuade stakeholders,
- Collaborate across teams, and
- Manage conflicts constructively.
What Students Should Do
- Volunteer for group projects, student leadership roles, or debate clubs.
- Practice public speaking and presentation skills during your studies.
- Seek feedback on communication style from professors and peers.
Soft skills combined with technical skills create a career-proof profile.
6. Equity and Access: Choosing Fair Opportunities
Not all internships or networks are created equal. Many students, especially from middle-class backgrounds, fall into the trap of unpaid internships or relying on informal networks that favor privilege. This can erode ROI.
Why It Matters
Research by the Sutton Trust shows that unpaid internships often benefit students with financial support from parents while excluding those who can’t afford to work for free. This creates long-term inequalities in access to opportunities.
What Students Should Do
- Prioritize paid internships or university-mediated programs that provide stipends.
- Ask direct questions about pay, recruitment channels, and transparency.
- Choose opportunities that are advertised openly rather than hidden roles given through “who you know.”
Remember, ROI is not just about getting any internship, but securing experiences that don’t exploit your time or financial resources.
Expert Advice: Beyond the Six Skills
Piyush Kumar, Regional Director – South Asia, Canada and Latin America at IDP Education, adds a crucial perspective:
“An international degree is one of the most critical investments you can make for your future and its returns go far beyond academics. To get the maximum ROI, you should start by choosing a programme with good job prospects—one that matches in-demand skills and industries—and a reputable, accredited institution.”
He further emphasizes:
- Gain practical experience through internships, part-time jobs, or research.
- Develop transferable skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication.
- Leverage post-study work visa options to get hands-on experience.
- Commit to continuous upskilling to stay competitive.
Putting It All Together
So, what does this mean for international students planning their study abroad journey?
- Don’t chase prestige alone. A big-name university helps, but without skills, your ROI may disappoint.
- Build a portfolio of experiences—AI projects, internships, global exchanges, leadership roles.
- Network early and widely. Weak ties open more doors than you think.
- Develop soft skills intentionally. They’re the hidden multiplier of technical expertise.
- Choose fair opportunities. ROI depends on internships and jobs that pay and provide growth, not just prestige.
Final Word
Studying abroad is one of the most significant investments you and your family will ever make. But in a world transformed by technology, globalization, and shifting immigration rules, the true ROI is shaped by skills, not just degrees.
If you can combine AI and data literacy with real-world experience, build cross-cultural adaptability, grow your networks, strengthen social skills, and choose equitable opportunities, you will not only secure jobs—you’ll future-proof your career.
As experts remind us, the students who thrive abroad are those who treat their education as more than a classroom exercise. They approach it as a launchpad for lifelong skills, global connections, and career resilience.
The question to ask yourself is simple: Are you studying abroad just for a degree, or are you studying abroad to become future-ready?
