From Peachtree to the World: GSU Students Discover Global Insight Through Study Abroad

In the heart of downtown Atlanta, Georgia State University has built a global gateway — not just for ideas, but for students eager to experience the world beyond their classrooms.  

Through its Office of International Initiatives (OII), the university offers study abroad programs that are changing lives, shaping careers and ultimately contributing to a more globally prepared workforce. 

From Cuba to Spain, and the United Kingdom to South Korea, GSU students are crossing borders in pursuit of academic, cultural and personal growth — and returning with perspectives that are proving valuable not only to their own futures but to the increasingly international businesses headquartered in Atlanta. 

For Ashley Aguilar, a first-generation college graduate and alumna of GSU’s study abroad program, the opportunity to explore life in Korea helped refine her vision of public service, ultimately leading to her to work with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Travel Management Office. 

“My study abroad experience impacted the way I see foreign affairs, helped me build world-wide relationships and better understand Korea as the U.S.’s military and trading partner,” she says. 

Similarly, Josiah Owens, who studied in Cuba, had a study abroad experience that opened his eyes to political nuance and cultural depth and informed his current professional career as a program manager for employee and talent development at the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) in Atlanta. 

“Studying abroad gave me far more than academic credits – it gave me perspective,” he says. “Employers saw the maturity and initiative that comes from navigating a new country, especially one as complex and vibrant as Cuba. The experience helped me articulate a clearer sense of purpose. I realized I wanted to work in roles that help people grow.” 

Mr. Owens, like many GSU students who go abroad, returned not just with memories but with a level of emotional intelligence and cross-cultural awareness that set him apart during interviews and continues to inform his career today. 

“Studying abroad gave me far more than academic credits – it gave me perspective.”

Josiah owens

Launching Careers with a Global Edge 

Beyond academic enrichment, GSU’s study abroad programs offer a competitive advantage in the job market. According to NAFSA Association of International Educators, students who study abroad are 19% more likely to find employment within six months of graduation and 25% more likely to earn higher starting salaries compared to their peers who remain stateside. 

International experiences help students cultivate soft skills such as adaptability, cross-cultural communication and resilience – attributes sought after by employers across industries. 

Abby Loggins, a GSU graduate now completing postgraduate studies and working in the publishing sector in the UK, credits her study abroad experience with giving her a leg up in both academia and employment. 

“Without study abroad, I would not have had the confidence to move abroad on my own nor pursue a degree outside of the USA,” she says. “Currently, part of my role is involved with the hiring process, and I can certainly say that I would prefer to hire someone who has traveled or lived abroad for any amount of time. I think it shows confidence, initiative and independence.” 

Ezra Echols, now in law school after studying abroad in Spain and England, emphasizes how the experiences gave him an edge in graduate school. 

“Study abroad was invaluable in preparing for the rigors of law school. I had to adapt to the entirely different academic system and build a network of friends in a completely foreign culture,” he says. “It was massively helpful to go off on my own and have to forge my own way. The experience induced me to come out of my shell and grow in confidence. Plus, there were a lot of funny cultural moments as I built friendships,” he adds. 

Joshua Hudson, director of GSU’s study abroad programs, sees these patterns consistently. 

“We’re proud to help GSU students — many of whom are the first in their families to travel abroad — discover new perspectives and return empowered,” he said. “They’re not just more employable; they’re more innovative, empathetic and able to work across borders and cultures. Those are the kinds of professionals Atlanta’s global economy needs.” 

A Pipeline of Globally Minded Talent 

As the competition for globally aware talent continues to intensify, GSU’s study abroad programs are positioning students — many of them first-generation college attendees or underrepresented voices — to contribute meaningfully to international businesses, government agencies and cultural institutions alike. 

These programs aren’t just academic enrichment; they’re investments in a future workforce that is prepared, thoughtful and globally fluent. They reflect Atlanta’s own evolution as a city where international partnerships, trade, diplomacy and cultural exchange take place daily. 

While GSU’s Office of International Initiatives works diligently to provide scholarships and support to make study abroad accessible, the future of these programs depends on an ecosystem of engagement — from alumni, faculty and the city’s global-minded institutions. 

“These students are the future of Atlanta. And thanks to study abroad, that future is well-traveled,” says Mr. Hudson. 

Visit GSU’s study abroad site or write to mystudyabroad@gsu.edu for more information. 

GSU alumni, please contact the Office of International Initiatives at (oii@gsu.edu) to collaborate with OII programs or to sign up for its monthly newsletter. 

Editor’s note: This paid post was published as part of GSU OII’s annual partnership with Global Atlanta.