To some people, studying abroad is a dream come true, to others; however, it is a complete and utter nightmare.
The option of studying abroad is a thought many high school seniors consider when making decisions regarding their future education. Although a lot of people might claim that studying abroad is one of the most beneficial experiences for a college student, I believe that there are pros and cons to everything in life, including an education abroad. In this article, I’ll share my personal list of advantages and disadvantages to studying abroad, a list that helped me decide and choose whether to get a bachelor’s degree in the UAE, or in another country.
Pros of studying abroad:
First, choosing to study in a different country, let alone a different continent, help you see the world and experience new cultures, traditions, or languages that are completely different from yours. Thus, an overseas education gives you a chance to experience more than what is purely academic.
Another benefit of studying abroad is getting the chance to try out different styles of education than what you are used to back home. You’ll have more of a chance to be adventurous and choose a major you haven’t been exposed to yet.
Also, studying abroad might grant you a golden opportunity to learn a foreign language. An opportunity to completely immerse yourself in a new language, a new culture, and a new perspective. In addition to learning a new language, studying abroad will help you find new interests and activities you never knew you had.
Moreover, studying abroad will provide you with greater career opportunities in both the host country and your hometown country. It is said that an outside education makes you a more attractive candidate to employers. Although many think that studying abroad and living alone in a foreign county is a pure difficulty, others claim that because it is obviously hard, it brings out a student’s independent nature, allows them to take responsibility, and discover themselves better while gaining an understanding of a new culture.
Cons of studying abroad:
However, studying abroad means leaving your family and friends behind for a really long period of time. After being used to seeing your parents, siblings, and friends nearly every single day of your life, the fact one won’t unable to do so when abroad sounds terrifying.
Another disadvantage a student might encounter abroad is getting to face the complete opposite of what they expected an abroad education will be like. High expectations can easily lead to disappointments. Obstacles that face students include annoying neighbors or roommates, facing difficulty when learning a new language, not being able to manage your time and spend your money wisely, etc. Furthermore, studying abroad might negatively affect someone’s mindset and make them forget their culture, tradition, language, and beliefs. Sometimes getting to experience a new and different culture might fascinate some to the extent of making them forget their origins and where they came from.
Finally, although studying abroad has both several pros and cons, it solely depends on the person himself/herself and whether they believe that getting to experience studying in a brand new country outweighs the difficulties that comes with doing so.
