This document discusses the benefits of using social media to promote a campaign collecting graduate case studies about the value of a year abroad. It lists 3 benefits: reaching people not in email databases, posts being seen by many due to average social media user followings, and targeting particular groups. The questions asked of graduates are provided, focusing on their year abroad experience, how it helped career-wise, and how skills were used beyond employment. An example case study response is given highlighting the immeasurable value of the experience. Readers are directed to the website for more information and the best case studies.

1. Valuing the Year Abroad
Lizzie Fane
27th March
2012
Collecting Graduate Case Studies

3. Social Media:
Valuing the Year Abroad

4. 3 benefits of using social media…
1. People who are not part of an email database can
still find out about and get involved in the
campaign.
3. 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.
5. By plugging into social networks you can target
particular groups of people: Language Assistant
alumni, translators, graduate networks, etc.

6. The questions we asked graduates…
…and the answers they gave!

7. 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).”

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

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

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

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

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

13. Analysing the case studies…

14. “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.

16. For more information, and to read the
best case studies, please visit:
thirdyearabroad.com/graduates
• fb.com/thirdyearabroad
• twitter.com/thirdyearabroad
• lizzie@thirdyearabroad.com