In modern times, many young people prefer to study abroad to gain better career opportunities. While obtaining an international education in a globalizing world may seem attractive, this choice does not always promise success.
In this regard, the main question of interest is: does studying abroad always guarantee a successful career, or is it possible to achieve the same, or even better, results with local education in some cases?
Ilgar Orujov, Doctor of Philosophy and Chairman of the Azerbaijan Young Scientists, Doctoral Students and Masters Society, gave a statement to AzEdu.az on the topic.
He noted that education in Western universities instills in students the mentality of a creator, not an imitator:
"First of all, let's analyze the impact of studying abroad on career development in several contexts. The picture becomes clearer when we approach the issue from the perspective of human capital theory and the modern labor market. We can touch upon the main strategic advantages that determine the impact of studying abroad on career development.
Universities with sufficiently serious international accreditations, as well as top universities leading in international ranking tables, teach students to speak the 'language' of global corporations. They develop the ability to meet the high demands of the labor market, to think and work in line with company expectations. This is not limited to technical knowledge, but rather encompasses the ability to manage work processes in accordance with international standards.
On the other hand, for global companies, this is not just about knowing a foreign language or excelling by studying at prestigious universities, but also the ability to communicate in teams with different mentalities, manage processes, and find a common language. Studying abroad develops this competence not artificially, but more naturally. At the same time, especially in Western universities, education is not just about listening to lectures, but about being part of real projects in laboratories. This instills in students the mentality of a creator, not an imitator."
Especially in specialties like law, studying at an Azerbaijani university can often promise more suitable opportunities:
"Advantages, of course, are not equally effective in every country. For example, in countries like Germany, the United States, and Switzerland, education built on interdisciplinary, multi, inter, and transdisciplinary approaches can be sharply superior to local education because it is directly integrated with industry. One of the main advantages here is extensive practical opportunities. This particularly refers to engineering and technological specialties.
However, the situation is somewhat different in humanitarian and social sciences. In this field, studying abroad is more based on analytical thinking and critical approach. But for professionals in these fields, knowing the local context sometimes plays a more critical role in terms of building a career in the local market. In this sense, especially in specialties like law, studying at an Azerbaijani university can often promise more suitable opportunities. This is because the student masters local legislation more deeply and at the same time can realize himself as a more important staff member in accordance with its requirements.
Suppose, studying business, economics, finance in financial centers like London, New York, or Singapore gives the chance to be at the closest point to that market. Here, even the name of the university plays a decisive role in the recruitment process."
Studying abroad does not always create an advantage; it depends more on how human capital is formed and how well it adapts to the demands of the labor market:
"Studying abroad does not always provide an advantage. Among the factors that determine this advantage, if we consider the points where local universities and local education can be more effective, then nostrification and legal barriers come to the fore. For example, in fields requiring licenses such as medicine, law, and architecture, aligning a foreign diploma with local legislation can sometimes slow down a career.
At the same time, in many local industries, recruitment is based on personal recommendations or direct cooperation between universities and local companies. A young person returning from abroad may find it difficult to enter this closed ecosystem. Also, over-specialization sometimes creates problems. In some cases, there is no relevant job or infrastructure in the local market for a very narrow or high-tech specialty acquired abroad. In this case, the specialist is forced to look abroad for work.
Overall, I believe it is important to also consider the factors that ensure the outcome, and if these points are taken into account, a more professional and reasoned opinion can be formed. Sometimes, not only theory but also how close one is to the market is very important. The issue of the university's connection with industry is particularly evident here."
If a student abroad only focuses on classes and does not socialize, their diploma will not be much different from a local diploma:
"On the other hand, it is very important for the student to gain work experience during their studies abroad, not just to say 'I graduated from such and such university' behind their diploma. It is also important for the student to plan in advance how they will adapt the knowledge gained abroad to the local market.
In this sense, I am actually a supporter of studying abroad, but I think that if a student abroad only focuses on classes and does not socialize, their diploma will not be much different from a local diploma. However, if we are talking about top universities, then of course, I unequivocally believe and have always believed that studying at a top university means creating great opportunities for a career, that is, it is an investment made in advance for a career.
In this sense, I would like to reiterate that where and at which foreign university one studies is very important. Young people should take the choice of country and specialty seriously. For example, there are unaccredited universities in Georgia and Ukraine. It is not enough to study in such places and then say 'I brought a diploma'. If that diploma is not recognized in the country, it is not considered education. If we are talking about serious education, then of course, studying abroad has undeniable advantages, and this is indisputable."
