Collecting Graduate Case Studies

Valuing the Year Abroad

Lizzie Fane

27th March 2012

Social Media:

Valuing the Year Abroad

1. People who are not part of an email database can still find out about and get involved in the campaign.

2. Social media users have an average of 100 fans or followers: one Tweet or Facebook post can be seen by a lot of people very quickly.

3. By plugging into social networks you can target particular groups of people: Language Assistant alumni, translators, graduate networks, etc.

3 benefits of using social media…

The questions we asked graduates…

…and the answers they gave!

1. “Please give us a thumbnail sketch of your year abroad (where you went, type of placement, duration), and tell us what you got out of it, what your job was on graduation and your subsequent career path. We're also interested to know how else you have used the skills gained during your year abroad, and how it has enhanced your life (not just in terms of employment).”

2. “When you landed your first long-term job after graduating, what role did your year abroad play in helping you get the job?”

3. “In any subsequent job move, estimate the role played by your year abroad in helping you to get the job.”

4. “In your career since graduation, have there been times when the experience of residence abroad helped you perform your job?”

5. “Is the year abroad a good investment?”

6. “Was your year abroad the most valuable part of your degree?”

Analysing the case studies…

“Flights: £500. Accommodation: £2,000. Tuition fees: £1,500. Value of the third year abroad: Priceless.”

Aimee, BA Hons Modern Languages, Nottingham Trent University, 2003. Studied in France and Spain, now a Planner for a Construction Company.

For more information, and to read the best case studies, please visit:

thirdyearabroad.com/graduates

• fb.com/thirdyearabroad• twitter.com/thirdyearabroad• lizzie@thirdyearabroad.com