The Advantages of Studying Abroad

Have you ever thought about studying outside your country? No, not on an exchange program, but on a full four years or more years’ course. I always wanted to study outside our country and this dream came through when I was awarded a scholarship to study in Central Michigan University. Studying abroad is both exciting and challenging. In the recent times, studying abroad has gained popularity among the developing countries as compared to the past. Many students are now wishing to study abroad and particularly in the western countries. This leaves one willing to know what makes scholars wish to study abroad, learn a new culture and the opportunities available for international students in their countries of choice. Studying abroad is a broad definition that brings together students seeking further education in other states.

The term study abroad denotes the intention of an individual to gather knowledge beyond the confines of their native country. A person who crosses either their national or territorial border for a primary purpose of enrolling in an educational institution in another nation is referred as an international student. For that reason, a majority of such people hold a non-resident visa, which is in some cases called the student’s visa. The scholars in most cases are in a pursuit of tertiary level education in the institutions of higher learning in the host country. On the contrary, foreign students mainly hold a visa or a permanent residence in a situation such as the Green card (IRS, 2006). The document allows students to live and study in their of choice and enjoy the similar to those of other citizens.

Researchers state that the desire to study abroad is fuelled by the important component of the global education as well as the institutions efforts to internationalize. According to Cook, the value is based on opportunity to have intercultural learning, promote intellectual growth, self-awareness, personal and professional development, as well as global awareness (Cook, 2011). Fundamentally, making such a decision comes with other positive long-term impacts. The greatest value entails accomplishing global competency. Global competency enhances an individual to gain the ability to understand and appreciate the cultural norms of other people. Such a person can effectively interact with people drawn from diverse cultural backgrounds without major challenges (Cook, 2011).Fundamentally, it enables one appreciate the cultural diversity in the world. One also gains immense knowledge of the international interdependence. They are able to understand how global systems work and thus are flexible to work for any organization and in any part of the world.

In the earlier days, studying abroad entailed travelling to a college probably in a southern European nation at the beginning of their junior year. They would attend courses for credit in their universities of choice for a full academic year. During that period, they would strive to get accustomed to the local culture.