Extracurricular Activities: What Are They and Why Are They Important?

A college-level soccer game underway, with two players running for the ball mid-stride.

It’s not always about hitting the books at school. Learning experiences can take any form, at any time. Tradition has always pushed students to keep academic goals as their number one priority. However, students who also pursue extracurricular activities can develop extra skills and connections which can make an employer look twice at their resume.

If you want to study abroad, participating in extracurricular activities shows institutions you can take up challenges outside of your academic responsibilities! Here’s a look at extracurriculars and why they’re so important for international students.


Definition

For those who may not already know, extracurricular activities can be nearly anything that falls outside the school curriculum or paid employment. Basically, it’s an activity you choose to do on your own time to perhaps strengthen an interest, meet new people, or build a new skill. You can turn many of your interests into an extracurricular activity.

  • Do you enjoy sports? Join an intramural soccer or ultimate frisbee team.
  • Have an interest in reading comic books or travelling? Join a student club and share your experiences.
  • Enjoy learning about food, or cooking? Take part in a cooking class.
  • Want to share your experiences with new international students? Become a campus volunteer during orientation, or over the school year.

If there isn’t already an opportunity that matches your interests, create one. Don’t forget to reach out to the students union on campus for support (and possibly, funding) as you develop your club! You can be the leader for a brand new extracurricular activity others may find interest in and join.

Benefits

World Education Service’s Kaitlin Ramby highlights four major advantages of extra-curricular activities:

  1. It’s easier to understand local cultures
  2. You create networking opportunities
  3. Strengthen your resume and build new skills
  4. Highlight your professional growth

While most activities take place on university campus, some activities take place off-campus. One example of an off-campus activity is University of Idaho’s semester in the wild. This opportunity puts students outside of their comfort zone to learn wilderness management and outdoor leadership in the beautiful Idaho wilderness.

Doing these fun activities helps international students to get to know and understand the local community. Moreover, these activities attract other international students, so they can be a perfect opportunity to connect with different cultures. In addition to these benefits, students with extracurriculars build a strong resume that highlights their progress in terms of achievements, skills, and personal traits. Finally, becoming a leader or taking a leadership role in a student committee, university club, or residence hall will certainly spruce up an undergraduate resume. Performing these roles well will show prospective employers the student is responsible and employable.

A final note

While it’s important to get those As, remember to take time to develop another skill outside of your studies. Extracurricular activities, like intramural sports, competitions, and arts classes allow students to relax and identify new hobbies. Universities encourage participation in these activities as they want students to get the most of their learning experience. In conclusion, doing these activities can lead to a more enjoyable academic experience.

Wonder what activities are offered by different study abroad institutions? Sign up for free and let ApplyBoard show you. Learn all about your dream school on our easy-to-use platform!

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