--- title: How the Study Abroad Experience Makes You A Stronger Leader description: Discover how students develop cultural awareness and independence by studying abroad in Italy – and how that paves the way for future leadership positions. image: https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Study-abroad-in-Italy.jpg --- [![JCULogo1](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/JCULogo1.png?width=300&height=80&name=JCULogo1.png "JCULogo1")](https://blog.johncabot.edu/blog?hsLang=en) [![JCULogo2](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/JCULogo2.png?width=300&height=82&name=JCULogo2.png "JCULogo2")](https://blog.johncabot.edu/blog?hsLang=en) - [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/undergraduate) - [Graduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/graduate) - [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/study-abroad) - [Italian](https://blog.johncabot.edu/it/blog) - [Website](https://www.johncabot.edu/) - Filter By Topics - Scegli Il Topic # How the Study Abroad Experience Makes You A Stronger Leader December 10, 2015 SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-abroad/how-the-study-abroad-experience-makes-you-a-stronger-leader](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-abroad/how-the-study-abroad-experience-makes-you-a-stronger-leader) ![](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Study-abroad-in-Italy.jpg) SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-abroad/how-the-study-abroad-experience-makes-you-a-stronger-leader](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-abroad/how-the-study-abroad-experience-makes-you-a-stronger-leader) ![John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/JCUCrestWhiteonBlue-1.jpg) Written By [John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/jcuadmissions) Topic [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/study-abroad) Individuals capable of genuinely inspiring and motivating others are quite rare. Being a strong leader is about much more than knowing how to organize and give orders; it’s about understanding how to connect and communicate with diverse people, toward a common goal. No matter which study path you take - business, finance, diplomacy, art history - the ability to demonstrate true leadership can help launch your career, and sustain success over the long term. It’s a key ingredient to networking effectively, impressing hiring managers, and rallying support on the job. Rather than relying on the more authoritarian approaches of the past, today’s top leaders are independent thinkers with the vision, courage, and empathy needed to gain their team’s respect. How does studying abroad help strengthen those qualities? Let’s find out. ## An International Learning Environment Builds Cultural Awareness Managers today often work with employees and clients from many different cultural backgrounds. They might need to coordinate with a client in another country, negotiate with a supplier on another continent, and motivate employees who come from diverse walks of life. Globalization has engendered a new respect for cross-cultural collaboration. Employees from different backgrounds can offer creative solutions to problems, and promote growth by offering fresh ideas from new angles. In order to facilitate this kind of fruitful collaboration though, leaders must have a keen sense of cultural awareness. They must understand and respect different traditions and points of view, and recognize that decision-making isn’t always “my way or the highway.” Whether you’re attending **[business school in Italy](http://www.johncabot.edu/academics/majors-minors/study-abroad-business-administration-degrees.aspx)** or studying art history in Rome, you’ll work with classmates from all over the globe, in one of the world’s most diverse cities. The relationships you build and the experiences you have will go a long way toward enriching your sense of cultural awareness, and openness to new ideas. These are gifts that will keep on giving, throughout your entire career. ![Study abroad, Study abroad in Italy, How the Study Abroad Experience Makes You A Stronger Leader, Reasons to study abroad, John cabot university graduation ceremony, ](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Study-abroad-Apr-15-2021-08-34-00-51-AM.jpg?width=650&height=432&name=Study-abroad-Apr-15-2021-08-34-00-51-AM.jpg "Study abroad") John Cabot University hosts students from over 50 different countries! ## Study Abroad Students Get Comfortable Tackling New Challenges As **[study abroad](http://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/study-abroad-rome-italy/)** students know, living and studying in another country is a good hands-on way to get comfortable with change. Studying abroad can be a hugely rewarding experience, but it can also feel a bit disorienting at first. For many students, it might be their first time away from home or travelling overseas. However, by embracing new experiences, students grow to be more independent, sure of themselves, and ready to tackle new challenges. These are attributes all strong leaders share - because only by taking risks can we fulfill our true potential, and encourage others to do the same! ## Studying Abroad Promotes a Positive Attitude & Good Work-Life Balance Take a look at some of the most innovative companies around and you’ll notice that many of them emphasize the importance of work-life balance. That’s because keeping employees happy and relaxed also keeps them productive and loyal. As you **[study abroad in Italy](http://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/study-abroad-rome-italy/)**, you’ll get a good first-hand look at how effective a good work-life balance can be. You’ll complete demanding courses that challenge you - but, at the same time, you’ll learn to relax, explore, and take some time for yourself during your studies. ![Business school in Italy, Study abroad in Italy, How the Study Abroad Experience Makes You A Stronger Leader, Reasons to study abroad, John cabot university graduation ceremony, international student in Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Business-school-in-Italy.jpeg?width=650&height=434&name=Business-school-in-Italy.jpeg "Business school in Italy") JCU students take time to explore historic sites in Rome, and visit neighboring regions in Italy You might find that a trip to a museum, a weekend getaway, or a relaxing afternoon exploring Rome will generate more inspiration and energy that simply bulldozing through readings and assignments. Understanding the value of “down-time” has life-long benefits, and will help position you as a thoughtful leader who cares about the wellbeing of every team member. **Want to discover more leadership-building benefits of studying abroad?** **Visit** [**John Cabot University**](http://www.johncabot.edu/) **to see for yourself how our students have grown from studying in Italy.** [Previous Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-abroad/the-study-abroad-students-guide-to-bike-paths-in-rome?hsLang=en) [View all posts](https://blog.johncabot.edu) [Next Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-spotlight/student-spotlight-natalia-mccullough-study-abroad-fall-2015?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe Here! ### Recommended Reading [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/study-abroad?hsLang=en) ##### [Ultimate Guide to Summer in Rome at John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/guide-to-summer-rome?hsLang=en) By [John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/jcuadmissions) / May 29, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/guide-to-summer-rome?hsLang=en) [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/study-abroad?hsLang=en) ##### [Staying Active While Studying Abroad at John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/staying-active-studying-rome?hsLang=en) By [Lauren Brondyke](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/lauren-brondyke) / May 22, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/staying-active-studying-rome?hsLang=en) [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/study-abroad?hsLang=en) ##### [Top 5 Experiences You Can’t Miss While Studying Abroad in Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/top-experiences-study-abroad-rome?hsLang=en) By [Elba Maria Peña](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/elba-maria-peña) / April 24, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/top-experiences-study-abroad-rome?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe and stay up to date ### Subscribe and stay up to date - [Academics](https://www.johncabot.edu/academics/default.aspx) - [Admissions](https://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/default.aspx) - [Student Life](https://www.johncabot.edu/student-life/default.aspx) - [About JCU](https://www.johncabot.edu/about-jcu/default.aspx) - [Studenti Italiani](https://www.johncabot.edu/universita-americana/default.aspx) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JohnCabotUniversity) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/JohnCabotRome) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/school/john-cabot-university/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/JohnCabotUniversity) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/johncabotuniversity) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/phone.svg) [+39066819121](tel:+39066819121) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/email.svg) [admissions@johncabot.edu](mailto:admissions@johncabot.edu) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/address.svg) Via della Lungara 233 00165 Rome, Italy [©](https://a.cms.omniupdate.com/11/?skin=oucampus&account=john-cabot&site=www&action=de&path=/default.pcf) 2025 John Cabot University ### Request Info »