Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Abroad

It must be accepted that education is the first step taken in building a student’s future. Some students choose to pursue their studies abroad while others prefer to further their education in their home countries. In fact, there are both advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad, which will be discussed in this essay.

Among the many advantages of studying abroad, a student can mingle with different types of customs and cultures of the foreign country. For example, when a learner travels overseas for study, he/she will be fully exposed to positive cultures and traditions of such citizens. As a result, he/she will obtain significant benefits from these customs when he/she returns to his/her country. Using an example of my friend who studied for four years in the United Kingdom, he was able to attain many positive attitudes from Britain such as respect and kind treatment of people, and respecting the laws and regulation of the country. When he came back, his friends and family were immensely impacted by his merits such that they began copying from him.

Besides, studying abroad has many benefits on the student’s area of specialization since he/she will encounter the elite academics and professors from which he/she acquires a sound knowledge and experience in his/her profession. Indeed, the learner will spend less time in studying his/her career due to those highly educated academics and professors. However, it can be said that people who study abroad are highly respected by their family and friends when they return to their home country. Furthermore, the knowledge and experience from abroad significantly contributes to the growth and development of his/her nation.

Self-development is a significant impact on students who study abroad. They share hobbies with other students and learn new languages. They come to know to live independently and make own decisions without family support. They also experience new and different education systems. They visit new places which broaden their thoughts. As a result of these effects, students become more confident and powerful leading to a successful life. For students who do research, some practical and theoretical apparatus which are not available in their home countries can be available in abroad institutions which assist them in conducting their research.

On the contrary, it can be proved that traveling overseas has some minor negative impacts on the learners such are getting involved in drug abuse and other unethical behaviors. Those evil activities might make the students abandon their original morals and traditions. However, this change in traits depends on the learner himself. If a student gets involved in these dangerous routes, he/she will never concentrate on his or her studies anymore. Consequently, he/she acquires bad behaviors and forgets his/her primary goal of study in the foreign country. As a result, his/her past and future aspirations are completely lost.

In conclusion, studying abroad has its advantages and disadvantages, but as discussed in the essay, the pros are more than the cons. However, every learner who intends to study abroad should assimilate only the beneficial and safe culture and customs from that country and completely abstain from bad customs or habits. As a result, we will have a prosperous and multicultural educated generation which we will greatly proud.

Works Cited

1. Dolby, Nadine. 'Encountering an American self: Study abroad and national identity.' Comparative Education Review 48.2 (2004): 150-173.
2. Evans, Alun, and Caroline Wilson. 'Linking attainment to interculturalism and global citizenship.' Student Attainment in Higher Education: Issues, Controversies and Debates (2016): 54.
3. Lewin, Ross, ed. The handbook of practice and research in study abroad: Higher education and the quest for global citizenship. Routledge, 2010.
4. Perry, Lane, et al. 'The importance of global citizenship to higher education: The role of short-term study abroad.' Cambridge Journal of Education and Science (2016): 754.