Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying in a Foreign Country

                                           IDEE 2016

                                    Reading to Writing

                                Descriptive essay Exam

Advantages and disadvantages of studying in a foreign country.


It's admitted that having a good education is the first step for a student to build a future. Every year, thousands of students worldwide leave home for the purpose of participating in an educational experience in a country other than their own. The reasons why students pursue to study abroad are endless: second language acquisition, to seek for a better education compared to the education at home, or because they can simply choose for a more suitable and effective education methods for themselves. “Study abroad is a fast-growing phenomenon, urged on by easy of travel, by political changes, by economic need and by cultural interaction.” (Michael Byram, 2006). The opportunity to travel and experience a new way of life is a great opportunity. However, the advantages and disadvantages of studying in a foreign country are important factors that students should consider when planning to pursue an education abroad.


The primary reason why students aspire to go study abroad is, most of the times, the opportunity to learn a new language and gain proficiency by improving their already existing language skills. (Freed, 2004) Found that learners who studied study abroad increased their fluency compared to learners in traditional programs. Working with classmates, interacting in a foreign language in diverse contexts in real world situations, will help students to gain fluency faster than those who had no contact with foreign language at home. “Teachers and students have long believed in the powers of study abroad for second language education.” (Aveni, 2005) By enrolling in a study abroad program, students will be surrounded by locals and become completely engaged in the language. In addition, students of International Business, Language Teaching, International Relations and Translation studies might benefit from becoming fluent in a new language for their work career and job opportunities.

 
Another advantage of studying abroad is that students are likely to grow more independent, self-reliant and responsible. “For international students, the first few weeks after arrival are hectic. They have to sort out a lot of things, e.g. moving into accommodation, registering for the academic course, learning about basic rules for living and settling down to a new environment.” (Michael Byram, 2006) Away from their family and comfort zone, they have to arrange their own accommodations, pay their own bills, manage their own finance, and rely on themselves in challenging daily situations that students might encounter outside of home. Whether it's washing laundry, doing groceries or going to the hospital, students in foreign lands learn to take responsibility for their own actions. The independence and sense of responsibility gained will be valuable skills for the student’s life and success as future professionals.


Despite the benefits that an education abroad can bring, the motivation factors that students seek for an education overseas can differ from one another. These motivations can play a big role on whether the students will benefit or not from studying away from home. There are measureless disadvantages that contrasts the benefits of studying abroad that students should to take in consideration before deciding to move away. For many, students the disadvantages may seem more reluctant than the benefits brought by an education overseas.
Furthermore, the way students deal with the disadvantages is also an important factor to examine. While some students see disadvantages as a barrier, others may see it as a challenge to overcome and a problem to solve in order to turn it into a benefit for themselves.


One of the innumerous disadvantages to consider when aspiring to study overseas is the cost to study abroad. Although every year, many universities abroad offers scholarships opportunities, it is of extreme importance to consider that there are several requirements when applying for these grants. On top of that, students should also take into account that they might not be eligible to them. “Issues of finances are indeed challenges associated with study abroad program.” (Carl Behnke, 2014). The cost of accommodations, books, transportation, tuition fees, bills, leisure etc. might cost a lot more when abroad than for what students would normally pay at home. In addition, in many countries working laws are different for foreign students. They are limited to work only a few hours a day, or in some cases, they are not allowed to work at all. Different money currencies, limited working hours and extra costs when studying away from home are important points to consider when applying for an education overseas.  


Another disadvantage of studying abroad is the emotional challenges that students are going to face during their stay. Not adapting to a new culture, feeling homesick, financial constraints and academic challenges are factors that may lead to an unpleasant experience. A recent study made with students in different countries identified many negative emotions during their experience abroad. “Frustration was the primary emotion reported by residents across all types of cases. However, it was accompanied by a number of other emotions such as sadness, helplessness, and anxiety. (Butteris, 2014). While in some cultures, people are instantly receptive and welcoming, in some others foreigners might experience a hard time with being immediately accepted by the locals. Non-natives might experience tiredness and irritability by having to speak another language constantly, the stress of having to find a place to sleep, eating strange foods, not adapting to the local culture, challenges of academic obligations and social life demands. The adapting to a new culture process is an intense and most of the times difficult process. Yet, some students are able to go through this process quicker than the others.


As the ideas presented in the text show, studying in a foreign country is a fast-growing phenomenon that has both advantages and disadvantages which students should take into account when planning to go overseas in order to seek for education. While studying abroad can be easily an additional component to student’s curriculum and provide them with both cultural and life time experiences, personal growth and acquiring a new language. The cost of studying abroad, emotional challenges, cultural shock and other unpleasant daily situations that students are likely to face are part of the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad. Depending on the student’s background and priorities the benefits of studying away from home may seem more relevant than the constraints or vice versa. Undoubtedly, despite the negative and positive points students are likely to deal abroad, the event of going away from home will make of them world citizens and individuals carrying memories, experiences and valuable lessons for a lifetime.