What do you mean by “studying abroad”?
Typically the term refers to a program set by any educational institute, say any university, for international students to come to their place for learning may be for a semester, a year or more. Studying abroad is considered as the wisest decision in one’s life which brings lots of new challenges and opportunities.
Besides learning, a student by immersing himself in an unfamiliar environment and culture, he gains immense knowledge through experiences. But every coin has two sides, studying abroad comes with some disadvantages also.
Let’s discuss some Advantages of “Studying Abroad”-
1. It makes you more interesting as a person
It may sound funny, but it is true. When you go to some new place or to some new country, it really broadens your horizons. You come out from your shell, and you find a new yourself. Life is an adventure, and planning to study abroad will make it more adventurous – meeting new people, making new friends, learning about new cultures, gaining perspectives will help you to look at things in a different way and lots of stories to tell your friends back home.
2. Better learning opportunities
Education is not a joke and choosing your course and university has a big say to your future. Foreign universities are always considered as the best and the most reputed around the globe, both in educational terms and in giving exposure to their students. Various courses that are not at your home university, you can find it in international universities with great demand and those universities that specialize in your chosen area of study.
3. Better Job opportunities at your hometown
As mentioned earlier, these universities will facilitate you with new and better learning techniques, which will enhance your knowledge. Graduation or studying a semester from these universities will give you better job opportunities and higher roles in your hometown country. This is one of the major reasons why parents wish for their children to go abroad for studies.
4. Increase income rate
Obviously, when comparing students who graduated from abroad and students graduated from home town there will be a huge difference between them both in terms of knowledge and pay scale. Studied amongst the topmost successful people in their field, with better techniques, good research work, advanced laboratories, a good atmosphere, and many such facilities given by the foreign universities, make organizations believe that it is worth to hire students from abroad with a good pay scale.
5. Introduce you to a new culture and language
Going to a new country gives you the opportunity to learn a new culture and their native language. If you already know the basics then this is a good time to have a command, with respect to the fluency of the language. It is said that the more you travel; you broaden your perspective and mindset. Living amongst those new people will help you to gain knowledge about their culture, values, tradition, beliefs, morals, ethics, language, and many. At the weekends you can go out and taste new food or you can go to various historical places to get more knowledge.
6. Global network
Meeting new people and making friends with them, you can build a global network that is noteworthy. Studying abroad will help students to create new professional contacts from the universities. You never know that when and where your contacts may help you both in professional and personal life.
7. Independent
You are always surrounded by your loved ones who help you out in many ways. But studying abroad, where you hardly know anyone will be a completely new experience for you which will make you independent. From running your house to traveling alone, you have to do it all by yourself while studying abroad. You can also work part-time, doing small jobs during the weekends which can help you out financially.
Let’s discuss some Disadvantages of “Studying Abroad”-
1. Expensive
Living and studying abroad for a longer time is not a cakewalk. The amount of money spent on traveling fees for the accommodation expenses is very expensive. Everyone cannot afford the tuition fees plus the extra-curricular expenses in foreign are way too expensive. Financial pressures can undermine your overall enjoyment of an experience if you are not careful. This is one of the major reasons why student and their parents have to think about before sending their child abroad for studies.
2. Feeling of Home-sickness
Often, students going abroad at an initial level become excited, perceiving the outer beauty of the country. But after some time they will miss their family and friends and will feel homesick in the isolation as you are not familiar with anyone. You won’t have a similar vibe that you shared at home. Making new friends and relations will take time and may not support you emotionally or mentally in the beginning.
3. Adjustments in language
You also will face a lot of communication barriers in the country. Though English as a language is recognized globally the majority of them like to use their native languages. Also, it is not easy to speak, write, or learn some new language in such a short period of time. Also, sometimes, some classes are conducted in native languages and students might not be able to understand which results in a great loss.
4. Cultural shock
Students may experience cultural shock in abroad. But what is a Cultural shock? Culture shock is an experience a person may have when one moves to a cultural environment which is entirely different from his own. You may have done research before going, but sometimes the reality is entirely different. You may feel alone and likely to have social and psychological differences in the behavior of the people. This might lead to depression amongst the students.
5. Face racism
Though this has been considered an unethical practice and been subjected to severe punishment, but still it has been practiced in most countries. Few students around the world are still facing racism harassment in the university or the place they stay. Students are being discriminated against on the basis of their characteristics, abilities, qualities, or language so as to distinguish them as inferior or superior to one another. Students are bullied and can take some major steps which are dangerous to their lives.
6. Longer traveling time
Studying abroad consumes a lot of time from changing flights to flights to reach your destination. Also, the flights are very expensive, you just can’t travel back home on a monthly basis. If you are sick or facing any kind of problem you just can’t go home very easily, which could turn into something you dread.
7. Higher Risk
Sometimes you might not like the course or not satisfied with the facilities of the universities. If you come up against some personal issues and need to return home prematurely, then you have wasted a lot more time, effort, and money than if you had chosen to study at home. So choose your course and university wisely.
