Studying Abroad, Essay Example

From time to time, we have friends or family members travelling abroad for academic reasons. We wonder why not study in your country, do they go to study abroad because the advantages of studying there outweigh those of studying in the home country. This essay aims at persuading readers on the advantages of studying abroad and methods that can be used to make such studies more efficient.

There are several benefits of studying abroad. These can be personalized, academic or career benefits. Studying abroad offers a life changing experience to students. Students who have taken up studies abroad tend to become more independent (Wortman 25), confident and are particularly eager to tackle challenges. Such students exposed to a new environment in the host country where the spoken language is different, customs and traditions are also remarkably different. Such a student will come out of his or her comfort zone, and thus, they need to make new friends. Such a scenario brings out awe-inspiring things in a student (Cameron and Trivedi 35). For example, the student develops a sense of maturity and responsibility, expanding the global network of friendship. Creative problem solving skills attained in the process and the development of better understanding of one’s strengths and weaknesses. There also improved appreciation for different cultures experienced during the study time. These skills combined will prepare the student and make him a much better person, open to new ideas and suggestions.

Students who study abroad earn college credit abroad, which enables one to pursue global exchange chances without having to delay graduation. Ones education grows at a much faster rate if done abroad. It gives one a competitive advantage for admission into graduate school. This is because the individual has knowledge of the foreign language thus, displays the ability to adapt to new environments and interact (Wortman 28) with different people and parts of the world, working towards a similar goal. If an individual studies abroad, he or she learns from different teaching styles. Learning a foreign language abroad enables a student to practice the language in and outside class. Additionally, the language professors will be native speakers because varsities located abroad have a main objective of improving student’s understands of the course rather than grades. Therefore, the curriculum is versatile giving an individual the freedom to explore personal interests within the course.

While abroad, students develop a new interpretation of owns country, which enables them to appreciate their country more. Frederick Douglass said, “Men who travel should leave their prejudices at home”. Students who travel abroad for academic reasons dispel their own stereotypes about other people and countries. Furthermore, a student who is overseas having experiences on his or her resume distinguished from those who do not have. In order for more students to get an opportunity to study abroad, a few improvements can be made. Reduced costs of travelling abroad and elimination of discrimination, bullying and racism, will improve the quality and duration of studying abroad. For example, it is very expensive for most African students to study abroad and the majority are sponsored (Oosterbeek and Webbink 29). Despite the various setbacks in studying abroad, it is quite clear that it gives more benefits to a student than the setbacks.

In summary, students should look for resources and ways of going for their studies in foreign countries. As depicted above, the setbacks laid in developed countries do not hinder one from going abroad for studies. As compared to one’s home country, studying abroad gives one exposure and extensive opportunities.

Works Cited

Cameron, A.C. and Trivedi, P. K. Micro-econometrics, methods and applications.

Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005.

Oosterbeek, Hessel and Webbink, Dinand. Assessing the results to studying abroad. CPB Discussion Paper, The Hague, Netherlands, 4, 2005.

Wortman, Thomas. Psychosocial effects of studying abroad: Openness to diversity. The Pennsylvania State University, 2002.