Employers' view on studies abroad - Svenskt Näringsliv

Introduction/Background 5
International experience is valued higher, not surprisingly, at companies that conduct business
internationally. This shows clearly when respondents have been asked to rate general skills such as
reliability, social competence, language skills and intercultural competence. Skills that typically are
acquired during studies abroad, such as language skills and intercultural competence, were generally
ranked very low by employers. It is however worth noticing that 20 % of respondents rated
these skills as highly important. From this, Garam draws the conclusion that international experience
may be of great significance when applying for jobs with internationally related tasks, but
that exchange studies may have negative effects when applying for a job in purely domestic companies.
6
1.5 …and Denmark
The Danish institute for international education, CIRIUS, presents in the survey “Betydningen
af uddannelsesophold i udlandet” a fairly positive <strong>view</strong> of studies abroad among students.
Employers tend to have, in light of an increased internationalization generally, a higher need for
employees with international competence. International experience is valued as an important asset
in recruitment, and such experiences are considered necessary for someone aspiring to an international
career. A number of international companies in the study state that the lack of Danish workers
with international competence makes the companies more prone to hire non-Danish workers.
Apart from this, the study also shows:
• The importance of genuine academic exchange; “academic tourism” should be avoided.
• That work experience is more important than studies abroad.
• That students mainly attain personal skills and experiences during studies abroad and few
practical skills, according to employers.
• That employees on the contrary find that it is mainly practical skills one attains during studies
abroad. 7
1.6 But what about Sweden?
The report Utlandsstudier – till vilken nytta? 8 from the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education
describes employers’ <strong>view</strong> on the value of studies abroad. The report has a qualitative focus
and is based on inter<strong>view</strong>s with 34 companies, which show that:
• Most employers regard social competence as highly valuable.
• A majority of companies has hired employees with foreign experience, but without having
asked about it.
• 1/3 of respondents believe workers with international experience more easily can advance
quickly in their career.
• Employers prefer a Swedish degree with part of the studies conducted abroad.
• Employers fins it difficult to assess the value of studies abroad.
6.
Ibid..
7.
CIRIUS, 2008
8.
Swedish National Agency for Higher Education reports (Högskoleverkets rapportserie), 1999:10R.
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