Studying Abroad: Pros and Cons
Are planning to go abroad for education? While getting an educational degree from a prestigious offshore college might do wonders for you, there are some downsides associated with it too. Know what are the pros and cons of studying abroad.
Studying in a foreign country can bring many exciting benefits to aspiring students who plan to study abroad. When we are young, we all hear the stories of people who went abroad and became successful in their lives or had an adventurous experience which makes us wonder how it feels to be in a distant land away from family for studies. And it has become a dream for many to pursue their higher studies abroad.
Though there is no doubt that going abroad has many benefits that can effectively boost one's career, the reality of studying abroad can be a bit different from the fantasy most of us have about it in our minds.
And, if you are considering going abroad, it would be realistic for you to know both the positives and negatives before making the final decision. So, here we will discuss what studying abroad really means and what are its pros and cons. So, keep reading. What is Studying abroad?
Before we explore the pros and cons of studying abroad, let us know what pursuing studies abroad really means. Knowing about it will help you grasp the concept better. Studying in a foreign land or abroad means attending a short-term or even long-term educational program in a foreign university/college/school.
The duration and type of educational program you attend abroad primarily depend on the course program you choose from an international school or university and your area of study.
You can attend an international course at any point in your life, depending on the availability of education programs offered by foreign schools and universities. You can be admitted to any international school or university by fulfilling the university's requirements.
During the course, you must visit the institute and learn from its teaching faculties; you may also be expected to join a group of local students to experience the journey together.
Today most students choose a bachelor's, master's, or even a short summer school program to study abroad. This way, they can complete their basic study and use it as a middle ground to promote their career. Pros of Studying abroad
As we have already discussed, studying in a foreign country can mean anything between attending a 10-day summer school and a 4-year-long graduation program based on the course. And here we will list some essential benefits or pros of studying abroad.Learn about a different culture
One of the major pros of going abroad is learning about a different culture than yours. When you visit a new country to attend a course, you must live there for your entire course. Living in a foreign country helps you learn about the local culture and lifestyle.
This cultural exposure helps to shape your young mind, and you will also learn about the local tradition, food, music and more that enhances your knowledge.Quality education
Getting quality education is one of the most known pros of going abroad for education. Enrolling in a dream college or university (international) helps you get a better education. You can learn from some of the world's most renowned teachers/professors.
Gaining quality education also enhances your knowledge and improves your career. That means studying abroad can surely enhance the quality of your education.Earn a globally recognised degree
Enrolling in an international school or university also helps you gain a valuable degree with global acceptance. In addition, getting a foreign degree is greatly beneficial for the job sector. So, when you earn an international degree, you also get a globally recognised degree. Learn a different educational pattern
Another interesting side of studying in a foreign country is you can experience a new/different educational pattern. Every country has its unique syllabus and academic pattern. So when you enrol in a foreign university, you can experience a different academic pattern with global acceptance and improve your knowledge. So when studying abroad, you expose yourself to a new educational pattern that can enhance your learning abilities.Learn a new language
Learning a new language can be another pro to studying at an international university or institute. When you visit abroad, especially if it is not an English-speaking country like Spain, Italy, Germany etc., you need to learn the local language to communicate with the locals during your stay. It can be a fun learning experience which can increase your language skill.Make new friends from different cultures
Making new friends from various cultural backgrounds is another plus point. You can make friends from different cultural backgrounds and countries during your course. You can learn many new things about your friends' cultures and share interesting things about your culture. Become independent and get a lifetime experience
When you go abroad for higher education, you live in an unknown country alone. You learn to manage your day-to-day work alone. It allows you to become more independent and learn to rely on yourself. Managing your everyday task and living away from home is challenging, but you can learn many things during this period as a lifetime experience. High salary and better work opportunity
Other essential pros of going abroad for higher study are improved work opportunities and increased chances of getting a high pay scale. Cons of studying abroad
The pros of studying at a foreign university/ college can be alluring enough to resist it. But several cons influence many students against the idea of going abroad. Here we will list some major cons below. Expensive affair
Going abroad can have multiple cons, too, one of which is the cost. Going outside your country for studies can be an expensive affair. Travel costs, living, accommodation and tuition fees can stress your finances. But currently, various community, governmental and institutional scholarships and student loans can help cover your educational expenses.Sense of alienation
Another potential con of studying abroad is the sense of alienation or cultural shock. Living in a completely different culture can confuse many students; they can feel alienated or misfit in a new place. It can trigger depressive thoughts among them in some cases. But once you overcome the feeling of alienation, you can see and feel the brighter side and learn a lot of interesting things from your new friends.Racism
Racism can be another issue involved with studying in a foreign land. You can face racism and related abuse when you stay abroad. Though no country allows racist activities and takes strict steps against such offences, some students still complain of passive racism while studying in a foreign country. But with the rising awareness, people in foreign lands have become more sensitive towards international students. Countries like the US, Canada, and Australia are well-known for their student-friendly and open environment.Language barrier
The language barrier can be another major con when discussing going abroad for higher studies. Every country has their language, and many do not even use English for class instruction or general communication. And it would help if you learned the local language to avoid communication-related difficulties.
But today, everything is improving rapidly, and international institutes in countries like China, Spain, and Italy have started offering specialised English courses to encourage international students. Plus, you can take a language course in the country to make your communication and understanding of the local language easy.An internal or global political scenario
The most powerful cons of studying abroad are the internal and global political scenario that discourages many from taking higher studies abroad. The global political tension is uncertain. A war between two countries or a terrorist attack does not come with a warning; it can trouble your studies and become life-threatening in many cases.
But if you think rationally, you will understand these kinds of incidents are very uncertain, and one can even face them within their home country. So, you can consider current political factors while choosing an international institute for safety. But avoiding international institutions will surely not save you from political uncertainty. Conclusion
Going abroad for higher study can be a dream come true, and there is no harm in planning your higher studies in a foreign land. But you need to make sure your decision to study abroad has a real base, and you are not just taking the step depending on your fantasy about it. Therefore, you must weigh all the potential pros and cons of going abroad for higher studies and plan wisely. Also, if you enrol in an international institute, remember to prepare everything. Like getting your passport, visa, offer letter, and other documents and buying an international debit card to make your experience of studying abroad trouble-free and joyful.
In this article the author has provided an exhaustive sketch of the various aspects of going for education in foreign countries.
It is very true that everyone cannot afford education in a foreign land, specially in an advanced country. The expenses on education and cost of living is very high in some of these countries. It is obvious that only those who can afford or can take risk of taking loans from banks can think of going abroad.
The main charm of getting education from abroad is actually to get a job there itself and get a high salary. Most of this people when they get a job in a foreign land become a citizen of that country and start living there and settle down comfortably. Even if they want to come back to their motherland it is not feasible because they will not get a good job back home due to obvious reasons of high population and unemployment coupled with availability of so many qualified people in the home country. Though they are financially comfortable there, they are in a way separated from their parents, friends, and relatives. In such cases their career becomes a much more important thing in their lives than going back to home country or missing the environment back home.
In a recent trend some parents are not much interested in sending their children abroad for study even though they can afford it financially. They want that their children should stay with them only.