english essay about studying abroad

Top study abroad programs that are flexible, individualized, and affordable.

Your Study Abroad Essay Made Easy

by Danielle DeSimone - Last updated on July 3, 2017

• Before You Go

How to write a unique study abroad essay

Sometimes, the process of studying abroad can feel almost as difficult as applying for college. You have to choose the country you want to study in, compare and contrast programs (hint: MyGoAbroad ), collect your transcripts and references and, inevitably, you will have to write a personal statement and study abroad essay for your application. 

When applying for a study abroad program —especially a competitive one—your personal statement and/or study abroad essay can make or break your application. After all, your program wants to know who it is exactly that will be representing their program in another country! They want to know exactly why you’ve decided to make the life-changing decision to spend a summer, semester, or even a year abroad.

Sound intimidating? Don’t you fret. We’re here to give you 10 study abroad essay tips so you can WOW your study abroad program with your application.

10 awesome study abroad application tips

1. brainstorm .

Most study abroad applications will ask you something along the lines of, “Tell us about yourself,” and “Why do you want to study abroad?” Simple questions, right?

Actually, these can be pretty tough, when you consider how many ideas you need to narrow down to fit into a 500 word response. Remember that writing is a process. And, the best first step to streamline your study abroad essay-writing process is to just scribble some ideas down and do some good ol’ fashioned brainstorming.  

[ Read 5 More Ways to Ace Your Study Abroad Application ]

Write down the things you’re excited to see, do, eat while abroad. Think about what intimidates you or what will be challenging in a new country. Doodle some of your goals for your summer/semester/year abroad, and really think about what it is that has made studying abroad so important to you .

Is it the idea of finally exploring that country you’ve been reading about since you were seven? Is it because this will be your first time living independently and far away from home? Are you just over the moon to be learning about your favorite subject in a place that is relevant to your studies? Whatever it is, write it, draw it, sing it— but get those ideas out there, so you can plan out the best essay you can possibly write. 

[ Browse study abroad programs here ]

Take some time to brainstorm and jot a few things down.

2. Outlines, Outlines, Outlines

Yeah, yeah, we know: since day one, your teachers and professors have pushed the idea of an essay outline. You’ve done about a billion of them, but breaking down your study abroad essay and knowing exactly where you’re going to go in your writing can help you have a more concise argument as to why your chosen study abroad program should choose you. We repeat: writing. Is. A. Process. 

3. First Impressions Matter

You always want to have that eye-grabbing introduction: who are you as a student, a person, and a traveler? In just one to two sentences, try to summarize and explain exactly who you are and why you want to study abroad (easy-peasy, right?). Don’t be afraid to get personal and really let your true colors fly — this is how you’ll stand out to the admissions counselors who are reading hundreds of personal statements and essays!

For example: “My grandparents emigrated from Argentina at the ripe, young age of 20 years-old, and throughout my entire life, I have been taught to love a country I have never met. My passion for studying the Spanish language, and gaining a deeper understanding of where my family comes from, has inspired me to apply to ______ study abroad program in Buenos Aires, Argentina .”

Don’t forget to sprinkle in your sparkling personality.

4. Supporting Statements

Up next in our study abroad essay tips: support your statement on why you want to study abroad by expanding on the ideas you presented in your introduction.

This is where your brainstorming comes in! What has brought you to this point? What subjects studied, projects completed, or passions followed have made you choose to not only study abroad, but study abroad with this particular program?

Be honest and sincere. It’s okay if the main reason why you want to study literature in England is because you spent your childhood reading Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia . It’s perfectly acceptable if your love of the ocean comes from an obsession with sea turtles, which is why you’ve decided to study marine conservation in Costa Rica . 

Maybe you want to study in Germany because you’ve always had the goal of working in international business! These are the things that make you a unique and interesting prospective study abroad student! Just be sure to always tie your passions, goals, and dreams back to how this study abroad experience will help you expand on these things and carry them with you through the rest of your life.

5. Get Detailed

Organize your outline and start on Draft 1!

When you’re describing the who, what, when, and why of your decision to study abroad, be sure to state your goals clearly .

Passion is one thing, but your study abroad program also wants to know what it is exactly that you plan on gaining from this experience. How will this summer , semester , or year abroad bring you closer to your academic or career goals in the future?

Example: “Through this study abroad program in Israel , I will expand my worldview and understanding of Middle Eastern cultures, which will, in turn, prepare me for my plans to pursue a graduate degree in Global Peace and Conflict Studies. With this, I hope to eventually utilize my experience and passion to work for the United Nations. Studying abroad will help me achieve these goals.” 

[ Get Matched with 5 Study Abroad Programs for FREE ]

6. be yourself.

In the world of academia, being formal and professional is key, but in the world of study abroad, it’s all about making those human connections beyond the borders of your own country! That’s why it’s so important to be yourself when writing your study abroad essay.

Of course, always put in the time and effort so that your writing sounds smart, but don’t be afraid to add a little pizzaz and let your personality shine through! This will set you apart from other study abroad applications, and will give your study abroad program a much clearer sense of who you are as a student and a person.

Always related your study abroad essay back to your long-term #GOALS and how this program will help you reach them.

7. A Two-Way Street

Ask not what you can do for your study abroad program, but what your study abroad program can do for you! Studying abroad isn’t just about what your study abroad program can provide you — you also need to prove your worth to the program’s officials .

After all, you’ll be serving as an ambassador of your home country and this program in a completely different country. They want to be sure that they’re accepting dedicated and deserving students into their program, so that years from now, when you’re a famous scientist or a world-leading politician, they can point to you and say: “See that person? They studied abroad on our program!” 

A study abroad program’s reputation is dependent not only on the opportunities they build for their students, but also on the caliber of students that they bring in. So when writing your personal essay, be sure to highlight what you bring to the table and how you look forward to continuing your study abroad program’s mission.

Example: “As a participant in this program, I know that I could expand my worldview and continue <Insert Study Abroad Program Provider’s Namer>’s mission of creating global citizens by creating bridges between myself and other cultures.” 

No need to go totally analog when writing your study abroad essay. Stay in the 21st century!

8. A Solid Sprint to the Finish Line

As you conclude your study abroad essay, be sure to nail the point home and finish with a strong conclusion . You’ll have to tie together your original introduction, the reasons for studying abroad, and your goals for the future all together in a nice, clean, concluding two to three sentences.

Don’t repeat yourself, but be sure that these final sentences pack a punch, and leave your study abroad program admissions officers ready to buy you your plane ticket outta here.

9. Edits & Revisions

Never hit submit without first revising and editing your essay two or three times! You might notice typos or awkward sentences at second glance, and you might also think of an exciting new idea you want to add in after your third look-over! It’s also always a good idea to have someone else to look at your essay (or maybe even write it for you ...), to get a fresh pair of eyes on your writing.

[ Use MyGoAbroad to Find & Compare Study Abroad Programs ]

10. submit (on time).

Once you’ve cleaned up your essay, upload that application and click submit! But, don’t forget to pay attention to all of the application deadlines, and be sure to get all of your relevant documents to the study abroad program on time! There’s no worse feeling in the world than having spent weeks perfecting an essay and application, only to have missed the deadline. 

A Pulitzer Prize-Winning study abroad essay

With all of these study abroad essay tips, you might as well start packing! You’re well on your way to your grand adventure abroad, and by investing so much time and effort into your writing, your chosen study abroad program will be sure to accept you! Applying to study abroad can seem like a lot of work, but the minute you step off that plane and into your new home, you’ll realize that it was all worth it. 

Find a Study Abroad Program & Get Writing!

Want to Get Matched with Programs?

Use MyGoAbroad to Save & Compare Programs!

Discover London: a study abroad experience like no other

Related Articles

Should i study abroad or just travel, your essential study abroad scholarship timeline, should i study abroad in australia or europe, why is intercultural learning important, can you work on a student visa 6 countries where it’s allowed, 8 best climate change study abroad programs, popular searches, recommended programs.

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea

964 reviews

CIEE Study Abroad

Scuola Leonardo da Vinci

1623 reviews

American Institute For Foreign Study

For Travelers

Travel resources, for partners.

© Copyright 1998 - 2024 GoAbroad.com ®

• Study Abroad
• Volunteer Abroad
• Intern Abroad
• Teach Abroad
• TEFL Courses
• Degrees Abroad
• High School Abroad
• Language Schools
• Adventure Travel
• Jobs Abroad
• Online Study Abroad
• Online Volunteer Programs
• Online Internships
• Online Language Courses
• Online Teaching Jobs
• Online Jobs
• Online TEFL Courses
• Online Degree Programs

Crafting the Perfect Study Abroad Essay

Follow these tips to make your study abroad essay stand out.

• Applying to Study Abroad

Whether you just want to do a semester or an entire program abroad, it’s likely a study abroad essay will be required. Students are beginning to realize what a great opportunity it is to take their studies abroad. Not only is it a great way to make new friends, practice your language skills, and travel while studying, it’s also great to put on a resume . So, it’s no wonder students are lining up to pick their top destinations and programs to study abroad.

To make sure they pick students who are ready and serious about studying abroad , most schools will, therefore, require a study abroad essay. The essay is a chance to make a great first impression and show the university administration that you’re ready to make the commitment to take your education even further by going abroad.

Consider some of the following tips to really make your study abroad essay stand out!

Want to find a degree in your dream destination?

Use our search to browse programs abroad!

1) Explain Why Study Abroad Will Make a Difference for Your Studies

A lot of students want to study abroad just for the experience and the excitement of living and learning abroad. These are important aspects, of course; however, school administration wants to know why going to your top study abroad destination will make a difference to your education.

Be specific! Explain the impact studying abroad will have on your personal and professional growth. Don’t just highlight how you think you will learn a lot. What do you expect to get from the program specifically? Is there a reason you picked one country over another to study in?

The more specific you are the better. It shows the university that you have given serious thought to your studies and that you are ready for the commitment!

2) Let Them Know Why You Picked Where You Want to Study

Instead of just saying you will study anywhere, as long as it’s abroad, tell the university why you picked your top study abroad destination. Write with enthusiasm and let admissions know what you are excited to see and do in your new home.

Make sure you do the research in advance! Name some museums you would be interested in exploring or some monument you would be interested in seeing. It’s in your favor if you can also tie these back to your study program!

This will show your school that you will not take your study abroad experience for granted, and that you already have things to do to integrate into your new home easier.

3) Describe Why You’re Qualified

Whether you've recently entered college or are ready to graduate, your experience says a lot about what you will accomplish on your study abroad. If you want to make your study abroad essay stand out, make sure to make mention of your previous experience.

Mention major academic accomplishments, work experience, or skills that you might find useful abroad, such as knowledge of a second language.

The university knows you will learn a lot during your time abroad, but the more you can bring to the program, the better!

4) Show Your Personality

The best study abroad essays are the ones with a little bit of personality! Your essay should still sound professional, but don’t be afraid to let yourself shine through as well. Studying abroad comes with challenges, and if the university gets a sense you are ready for them, you will move to the top of the list.

Add a personal story about something relevant to living and studying abroad. Describe a time you traveled somewhere new or met a friend from a different country. A well-rounded individual with some experience is the perfect candidate for studying abroad.

Showing some enthusiasm while also keeping your expectations realistic is the right way to show the admissions team that you have thought long and hard about your decision to study abroad, and that you are ready to pack up and move abroad.

5) Follow Instructions

It might sound simple, but if you don’t want your study abroad essay to be immediately tossed aside, make sure to read and follow all the instructions given. Some universities will ask specific questions or ask students to format their essays in a particular way.

Don’t ignore these instructions! It’s the first step to making a great impression.

If the essay is open-ended — great! Follow our tips to get inspired. But, if there are specific questions, make sure you answer them clearly and concisely. There might not be any right or wrong answers, but your school will still be looking for students who are able to express themselves and get their point across.

The Perfect Study Abroad Essay

If you followed our advice so far, you’ll be looking at the study abroad essay that’s going to get you into the program of your choice at the study abroad destination of your dreams!

Don't forget to proofread before handing in your essay. If possible, it's great to have someone take a look over it as well, especially if it's a professor or someone who has written a study abroad essay before.

Unsure of where to study abroad?

Check out our handy country guides!

Keystone Team Author

The Keystone Team is comprised of experienced educators and advisors dedicated to providing valuable resources and advice to students all over the world.

Read related articles

Tips for Studying Abroad in the Netherlands

March 2018 Study Abroad in the Netherlands Study Abroad in Europe Applying to Study Abroad During Study Abroad Deciding Where to Study

What Americans Need to Know to Study Abroad

March 2018 Information for American Students Preparing to Study Abroad Applying to Study Abroad Study Abroad Financing

How to Get into Medical School in Australia

June 2020 Study Abroad in Australia Study Abroad in Oceania Applying to Study Abroad Health Sciences

• IELTS Scores
• Life Skills Test
• Find a Test Centre
• Alternatives to IELTS
• Find Student Housing
• General Training
• Academic Word List
• Topic Vocabulary
• Collocation
• Phrasal Verbs
• Writing eBooks
• Reading eBook
• All eBooks & Courses

Studying Abroad - IELTS Essay

Many students now have the opportunity to study in other countries. Studying abroad may bring some benefits to some students, but it also has a significant number of disadvantages. Discuss both sides of the argument and give your own opinion. Studying abroad has become an extremely popular study option amongst university students. While studying abroad is extremely expensive, it exposes students to a wide range of people, cultures and experiences that will reward them later on in their careers. In my opinion, students are far better off studying abroad even though it might be a bit costly. One of the greatest advantages of studying in a foreign country is that it exposes students to essential life experiences that will develop them professionally, impossible if they have studied only in their own country. Being in another country forces people to pop and come out of their bubble of comfort, opening them to a plethora of opportunities, which can help them advance in their careers. For example, when I went to study in the UK as an eighteen-year-old, I had to push myself out of my comfort zone and become self-reliant, making me much more mentally and emotionally mature. These ultra-challenging experiences are what develops a person. A negative aspect of studying overseas is that it is extremely expensive. It is not just high university fees that drive up the expenses; it includes stationery and study material expenses, travelling costs, rent, money spent on food, and other miscellaneous expenses. For example, I had to take an education loan of 30000 pounds to fund my tuition fees. Moreover, during my stay in the UK, I had to take up a job as a part-time waiter to earn enough to pay my monthly rent and meet a part of my monthly expenses. An increasing number of students are opting to study overseas. Although studying abroad can make a hole in your pocket, it will test and challenge you mentally and emotionally, helping your overall personal and professional development. In my opinion, long-term professional and personal gains from overseas studies justify every penny spent on it.

Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 Forum .

Before you go...

Check out the ielts buddy band 7+ ebooks & courses.

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

• Click on the HTML link code below.
• Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Band 7+ eBooks

"I think these eBooks are FANTASTIC!!! I know that's not academic language, but it's the truth!"

Linda, from Italy, Scored Band 7.5

IELTS Modules:

Other resources:.

• All Lessons
• Band Score Calculator
• Writing Feedback
• Speaking Feedback
• Teacher Resources
• Free Downloads
• Recent Essay Exam Questions
• Books for IELTS Prep
• Student Housing
• Useful Links

Recent Articles

Alternatives to the IELTS Exam

Mar 22, 24 12:32 PM

Common Questions about the IELTS Speaking Test

Mar 09, 24 05:28 AM

IELTS Computer Delivered Practice Tests Plus Band Score

Mar 01, 24 02:38 AM

Important pages

IELTS Writing IELTS Speaking IELTS Listening   IELTS Reading All Lessons Vocabulary Academic Task 1 Academic Task 2 Practice Tests

Connect with us

Copyright © 2022- IELTSbuddy All Rights Reserved

IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.

• College Study Abroad
• College Study Abroad Blog

How Do I Write a Personal Statement for Study Abroad?

September 26, 2023

Programs for this blog post

Authored by:.

Writing a personal statement is an important aspect of the study abroad application process. However, if you’re unfamiliar with the practice, it can seem overwhelming. Have no fear – CIEE is here! Let’s review how to write a personal statement for study abroad.  

What is a Study Abroad Personal Statement?  

First things first. What even is a study abroad personal statement? Knowing the definition of what it is will help you write one.  

Simply put, a study abroad personal statement is a component of your CIEE application, specifically in the CIEE scholarships and grants portion (which every student should fill out, by the way). It is a brief essay (300 words) in which you explain how a CIEE study abroad program will impact your college experience and/or your future career plans.  

Read More: How to Apply to a Study Abroad Scholarship at CIEE: 4 Steps

What Are Study Abroad Personal Statement Examples? 

To give you a better idea of how this content should develop, take a look at a few short study abroad personal statement examples:  

• “Partaking in the Arts + Sciences program in Cape Town , South Africa will further my passion and dream career in public health by volunteering with local health and medical organizations and learning how to better support people in historically complex socioeconomic situations and aid them in finding the resources they need equitably.”  
• “The Sustainability + the Environment study abroad program in Monteverde , Costa Rica will provide me with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a variety of different environments, like the Lowland Rainforest, and conduct research alongside professionals in the field. Eventually, I want to be a researcher that helps bring sustainability and conservation issues to the forefront of each and every country.”  
• “I want to be a Spanish teacher. I have always loved the language and learning more about diverse Spanish traditions, and there’s no better way to do both than by living and breathing the language and local culture during a study abroad program in Seville .”  

While your own study abroad personal statement will be a bit longer than these quick topic sentences, these examples directly explain how a CIEE Study Abroad experience will enhance a student’s passions and general career aspirations.  

How to Write a Personal Statement for Study Abroad? 

We have a few quick tips that will help you write your personal statement for studying abroad.  

How do you start a personal statement?  

Step #1: identify your “why”.

The best way to start a study abroad personal statement is by identifying what you’re truly passionate about. This should be an easy start – if you’ve always been enthusiastic about history, explain why. If you love Japanese manga, explain how you got into it. If you’re an avid hiker, describe when you first fell in love with a trek. Be yourself when writing about topics or activities that are important to you – we want to hear about it!  

Read More: What are Your Goals for Studying Abroad?

Step #2: Explore How Your Passions Translate into a Career

Next, think deeply about how you can turn your passions into a career, or at the very least, how you plan on practicing your interests in the future, whether in college or in a professional capacity.  

Referencing our former examples, if you’re fascinated by history, you might have plans to go to graduate school and study archaeology. As a manga lover, you might start a youth club on the topic in your local community. As an avid hiker, you might want to become a professional conservationist to not only keep your beloved trails intact, but also to protect wildlife and natural sanctuaries.  

Read More: How to Put Study Abroad on Your Resume: 4 Steps

Step #3: Align Your Goals with a CIEE Program

The last step is putting it all together and aligning with CIEE study abroad programs. Once you’ve detailed your passions and how you want to incorporate them into your future plans, pinpoint which CIEE study abroad program will help you fulfill your goals.  

As a history and archaeology lover, studying abroad in Greater China , with ancient battlefields and some of the most impressive structures ever built, might be the best opportunity to kickstart your career. As a Japanese manga fan, heading to Kyoto , home to the world’s first manga museum, will help you dive deep into the subject matter. To continue your hikes, traveling to the iconic Blue Mountains in Sydney will be your best bet.  

Read More: Is Studying Abroad Worth It? 10 Outcomes of Studying Abroad

How long should a personal statement be?  

Word counts for your study abroad personal statement will vary by CIEE program and by host institution (the university you’ll be studying at overseas). Prepare to write at least 300 words, which is a little more than half a page, single-spaced.  

Does CIEE Require a Personal Statement?  

CIEE’s study abroad personal statement requirements vary by program and not all guidelines are the same. Generally speaking, you should expect to be required to complete a personal statement if you decide to apply for CIEE funding (which, you totally should, as CIEE awards thousands each year to students like YOU!). Outside of any CIEE personal statements you may be required to complete, you should also check with your school’s study abroad office to see what their requirements may be.

Make the World Your Classroom

While writing a personal statement for studying abroad may not be required based on your program of choice, it’s still incredibly valuable, at the very least, to think about how a study abroad program will impact your college experience and/or future plans. Establishing this will provide a lot of meaning to your adventure and will really help you become the best version of yourself.  

EXPLORE PROGRAMS 

• Planning/Packing

Related Posts

Postcard from Abroad: Learning to Leave My Bubble in Berlin, Germany

By Vincent DiFonzo Almost every time I ride on Berlin’s metro system, the U-Bahn, I am reminded of one of the many little quirks of living in Germany—the German stare... keep reading

• Activities & Excursions
• Best Time to Study Abroad
• Eat, Drink, Explore

Kate Miller, Open Campus Student: “I have had a life changing experience during my time here”.

Kate Miller is one of our Open Campus students of this Fall Semester 2023. She has been studying and doing her internship at a local startup called Tuesday Coworking, environmentally-conscientious... keep reading

• Internships
• Open Campus

How to Prepare for Study Abroad: 10 Things You Need to Know

Prepping for the adventure of a lifetime can be exciting and overwhelming. All at the same time. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the most important things to consider... keep reading

© 2024 CIEE. All Rights Reserved.

• Privacy Notice
• Terms & Conditions

• Knowledge Base
• Popular Essay Topics

Study Abroad Essays

• Author StudySaurus
• Category Popular Essay Topics

Disclaimer: This paper has been submitted by a student. This is not a sample of the work written by professional academic writers.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this work are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of StudySaurus.

1) A Study of the Performance of International Students in American Schools

Each year, universities in America accept a number of international students from various countries. Attending a school in a different country is more than simply acquiring an education in a new part of the world. It also involves adapting to the language, people, and society throughout the process of receiving that education. American students and international students will have their own experiences in learning based on their familiarity or unfamiliarity with American culture and society. Domestic students, those that have been raised in America, are much more comfortable due to the familiarity they have with their culture whereas international students raise their focus and efforts in order to assimilate and become “American.” Compared to domestic students, the new conditions to which international students are unaccustomed drive them to rise to the occasion and maintain a relentless focus, resulting in better performance.

Education is one of the most valuable resources in this world. Students will travel around the world, often to America, to receive a college education. In 2012-2013, an astounding 819,644 undergraduate and graduate international students arrived in America to receive a college education. (Haynie, 2013). Integrating into the American culture is a difficult decision due to many factors such as cost of education and cultural differences. International students often try new things, to meet more people, make more connections, and actively make the most of their education. These students have a very strong drive to learn. They are making the conscious choice to study in America, whereas domestic students often feel they have to follow a set track. Whether or not there is an interest, it is expected of the domestic students that they undertake high school immediately followed by college. At times, this opportunity is taken for granted. Furthermore, these domestic students are familiar with the cultural norms and have developed close social interactions with their peers.

[unfinished essay]

2) Foreign Students in America: What Attract Young Students to Study in America

Worldwide Experience

Study in an American university is much more than a student experience. It is as life learning, an experience that will teach you how to live. According to a news survey, in 2012, 764,496 students came to study in the USA that year, and the numbers continue to rise.

Why America attract so many foreign students? Probably because of the quality of the learning, the high level of acceptation in the economy market, or maybe there, they have a chance to be educated. Sometimes move to another country is a hard journey, new language, new people, new culture, a new way to learn. Knowing this, the purpose of this text is to guide international students in an American college, demonstrating the most important points, helping them succeed in their academic life.

The lessons, like, biology, math, kinesiology are pretty different, in the USA you have to be a dedicated student, you have to participate, and also it is a way to grade you, effort on it. Do your best in every class and take notes about the most important points. Copy what is written in the blackboard, also add your own information, what you understand about the topic, write the speech of the teacher. In addition of this, make sure that you have English proficiency, after all, in a university, is necessary every single day interact with people and talk with professors, solving your doubts, asking for advices. Have the ability to write and interpret texts are important as well, because as a student, many papers will be required, and know how to write them is important. In the other hand, interpret texts is necessary too, otherwise, you will not be able to read books required for some class, or even understand a text in a test.

One of the most important points to know is university resources. Resources like math lab, writing lab, international office and your advisor office are …. [unfinished essay]

3) The Evolution of the International Students in American Universities

International students always worry about cultural differences and surprised when they find that there are more important aspects to worry about. They find that there are many problems besides adapting to American culture to overcome. Moreover, there are more than 800.000 international students enroll in American universities, despite the number of international students in the United Kingdom are 436,585 students. American Universities become target for most international students. Therefore, the huge numbers of international students in American universities are making a big different aspect of responsibility to its students because the students are part of their classes and campus’ community. In fact, American researchers investigate on international problems to help them master their difficulties. Some of the researchers articles have interviewed the students and some of them collect the data through the survey. Also, in their article they provide some suggestions for the university stuff’s members and for the students themselves to overcome the difficulties. In fact, we need more researches in international students difficulties. Furthermore, American universities understand the culture differences among international students, in particular, they should consider the differences in teaching methods, language difficulties, and intellectual property as active area to search in.

American universities show their attention for international students by doing researches on the students adjusting to the new environment. Hartshorne & Baucom (2007) state that on their study they found that one of the students culture is similar to American culture. However, the other student has adjustment difficulty because his culture is different from American culture (83). At this point, we can infer that we need to do more research on the students’ difficulties. In fact, culture background is significant problem, but the students have more significant problems. In addition, Kim (2010) indicates that international students do not have a problem with English only, yet they have problem understanding American culture too. Now, we can realize that international students face a number of problems besides culture differences. Furthermore, American universities are considered the cultural background as an important part, but there are more significant problems stand on the students …. [unfinished essay]

4) Study Abroad Application Essay

An Introduction to the Many Reasons for Studying Abroad. What I Hope to Gain through Studying Abroad

I am interested in how people from different cultures and societies interact and live. I was born and raised my entire life in the Bay Area of California. I want to live, learn and experience what life is like in another country.

Studying abroad seems to offer a new perspective of education. It provides a foreign environment in which students can engage themselves both academically and socially. Such first-hand experiences are what I believe to be the key elements of true learning, as they allow one to attain knowledge based on personal experience and understanding.

Through studying and living in another country, I hope to expand my knowledge and perspective of others. I plan to do as much traveling as possible during my study abroad. I am excited to meet new people from diverse backgrounds along the way. I hope to engage in a mutually beneficial exchange of viewpoints with these people.

Since I have always lived in one central area, I feel that my overall perception of the world is somewhat shallow. I want to see how the world appears to others through their own eyes, thus developing a broader spectrum of values and ideologies. I believe this experience will enable me to be a more productive and empathetic world citizen.

5) Study Abroad Scholarship Essay The Advantages of Studying Abroad

International Study Abroad Scholarship Essay: Why study abroad?

Does globalization ring a bell? The reality of today world is our interdependence on one another both economically and socially. As time passes, we find that no country can be economically independent or socially exclusive, especially here in the United States where there is a plethora of cultural identities. Countries have discovered that they are not self-sufficient. Perhaps in the past, it would not have been so necessary to learn the skills required to deal with cultural and language differences, but today globalization has changed that fact. Nowadays, the business workforce needs to be trained in dealing with cultural and language differences in the world. I, as an international trade major, believe that going to France would provide me with these essential skills in order to be more valuable to my employer.

If somebody wants to be a successful businessperson, that person must be able to communicate efficiently in the language of that country. We have to remember that we are living in a world that is changing from independent to interdependent. Languages are becoming as important as any other subject in school. Cultural understanding is also important. Business people know that every country has a different mechanism to do business. In my country, Venezuela, we do not like to do business with somebody that we just met. In order for any business person to have a successful business in my country, they have to meet several times until they are familiar with the person that they are doing business with. In addition, some cultures are more resistant to change than others. In France, there was a big controversy about the McDonalds opened in Paris. French resisted to it because it was very different from their customs. They thought that France was going to be Americanized, and they wanted to keep their culture intact. Businesspeople are faced with the task to smooth these differences to do business successfully. In order to be able to do business in a foreign country, we not only have to know the language, but we must also be able to understand the culture of that country. Going to France will provide me with the experience of having already interacted with the French. I will be able to improve my conversational skills as well as understanding how they think, which will benefit me significantly in the future.

At the present time, the business world has a very competitive workforce. In order to be successful, one must learn as many productive skills as possible. Going to France will open the doors for me to a thirsty business world looking for professionals who can deal with the different countries around the globe. I believe that the best way to learn another culture is going to that country and living in it. This new experience will provide me with the knowledge necessary to be a successful businesswoman in the future.

Was this material helpful?

Related essays, about studysaurus, community. knowledge. success..

StudySaurus is run by two uni-students that still get a kick out of learning new things. We hope to share these experiences with you.

Ideas ,  concepts ,  tutorials,   essay papers  – everything we would’ve liked to have known, seen or heard during our high-school & UNI years, we want to bring to YOU.

Privacy & Cookies Policy Terms and Conditions DMCA Request

Press ESC to close

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Abroad? IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay

The IELTS writing task 2 requires an individual to present their views on a topic that has been assigned to them. They are required to go through the topic and present their side of the argument. One such example of it could be: “What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad?”

So, whenever you are presented with such topics, all you are required to do is present your side of the argument. There is no right or wrong in these answers – all an individual is required to do is to let the examiner know their understanding of the topic that they are provided with.

So, let’s move forward to learn a little about this topic and present an amazing essay answer afterwards to let you know how it’s done.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Abroad? 

The decision to study abroad depends solely on the different advantages and disadvantages of that thing.

So, let’s move forward to know all about them.

What are the Advantages of Studying in a Foreign Country? 

Studying abroad has today become the new normal, every other child wishes to move out of their resident country to enjoy among a bunch of completely new people to study between them and to gain as much knowledge as possible with the help of this.

Given below are a few advantages of studying abroad:

#1. Improved Language 

The greatest benefit of studying abroad is that it helps you to improve your language skills to a great extent. you get to learn some new words each day and among a bunch of people who speak this language on a regular basis, you get to enjoy the benefits of learning a language completely.

Talking to your friends on a daily basis in the same language helps you to have that fluency in the language which you were not able to achieve before.

#2. New Friends and Career Opportunities

Another benefit that one gets to enjoy after studying abroad is that it really helps an individual to expand his/her network and have some really good friends which can also turn into friends for life. One gets to enjoy their time with people they have not known before and have a great time in their company.

It also helps one to expand their network for some great business or job opportunities overseas. A wider network helps one to connect to some really amazing people and have the benefits of so many new opportunities in life.

#3. Confidence Booster

When you enjoy time among people from a different country and culture altogether, you get to learn so many new things from them on a regular basis. Along with this, it helps one to practice the language on a daily basis which helps in boosting their confidence.

With a great and built-up confidence level, it’s easy to then achieve the heights that you want to.

Also Read: Important Points to Keep in Mind while Answering IELTS Writing Task 2

#4. Explore the World

Moving out of your resident country provides you with an opportunity to live in a new city altogether which also comes with the benefit of exploring a new city and a place never seen before.

When you live in a completely new place, you get to enjoy the scenic beauty of that place, the unexplored yet the most famous places at the same time which serves as an amazing experience.

Now, let’s move forward to learn some of the disadvantages of studying abroad.

What are the Disadvantages of Studying Abroad?

Everything that has some advantages comes with some disadvantages too. So, while there are many advantages of studying abroad, there are many disadvantages of the same too.

So, let’s check them out.

#1. Highly-Priced

Studying abroad might look fascinating to you but it is extremely expensive. Bearing all the expenses of studying abroad for an individual can be quite expensive and tiring at the same time.

The expenses of studying abroad depend solely on the place that you have chosen for yourself and the university that you’re going to get your degree from. The more advanced the country, the higher the expenses.

Also Read: Guide to Ace The Advantages & Disadvantages Essay Questions in IELTS Writing Task 2

#2.   Language as a Barrier

One of the biggest problems that many students face while studying abroad is the language that they are not fluent in. It is extremely important for one to learn the official language of the country that you have decided to move to in order to enjoy the benefits of having meaningful conversations.

Many times students have a lot of difficulty in speaking the native language or even understanding it. There are many cases in which teachers prefer to teach the entire lessons in the local language of the city. Therefore, it’s extremely important to have a good grasp of the language.

#3.   You’re Dependent on Your Own

Living in a foreign country means you are completely on your own. All the work that you need to do, right from washing your clothes to doing all the household chores, all need to be done by yourself.

There are many students who have never lived out of their home for a long period of time and studying abroad requires them to have such experiences for the first time. While this may have a lot of benefits like you learn so many new things, it can also have some serious demerits too. Many times it has been noticed that students who live alone tend to suffer from loneliness or in some cases, even depression.

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Model Essay 

So, let’s move ahead to discuss one such advantage disadvantage essay in order to know how to present an answer while in the examination hall.

The question for today is: With more and more people moving out of their own country to study abroad, it has been a trend these days. What do you think are the advantages or disadvantages of the same? Share your opinions with us.

Also Read: Want Band 9? Check These Previous IELTS Writing Task 2 Exam Questions and Answers

Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Abroad – IELTS Model Essay

With changing times, more and more students wish to move out of their native country to a completely new place where they can study among a bunch of students who are new to them. And this has certainly given a rise to the number of students moving abroad to study among them. While the idea of going out seems fun, is it actually true in real scenarios?

Elaborate – IELTS Model Essay Answer

There are many benefits of studying abroad but according to me, I believe the number of demerits of studying abroad is more than its advantages. Starting with knowing about its benefits, it feels great to study abroad. When one starts studying abroad, they become more independent as a person. This is because everything, right from all the household chores to outdoor things needs to be done on one’s own and this helps an individual to become a better version of himself/herself. They learn to be better and dependent on themselves. Living abroad allows an individual to learn different foreign languages in order to converse with their peers and fellow classmates. This further helps them to broaden their horizon, that by learning new languages and living for a period of 2-3 years in a foreign country, they tend to learn new cultures and how things are done differently in their country. They learn about their customs, traditions, and values.

Talk about the Disadvantages

But despite having so many advantages, the number of disadvantages succeed them. Though it is true that students get to learn new languages while living in a foreign country, with that comes the possibility of isolation and loneliness. There are many students who face difficulty while speaking in languages other than their native ones and while learning these languages, there are times when they are not able to converse fluently and swiftly as other students. And this leads to the different language barriers that arise among them. Thus, these children tend to spend most of their time alone without anyone’s company which can further lead to failure in examination and also depression.

Move towards Conclusion of the IELTS Essay Model Answer

Another demerit of studying abroad is that one has to do all of their work on their own which can be quite tiring at times and can lead to fatigue. This can also affect the students psychologically and they can suffer from various mental illnesses. Further, living abroad for a long time alone without being with anyone from your family or loved one can lead to homesickness and even lead to depression among many students. Along with this, studying abroad can be extremely expensive as compared to the cost one bears when he/she decided to study in their native country.

In conclusion, I believe it’s always better to study in one’s own country while being in the company of your loved ones and it should be encouraged more than moving out to study.

Hopefully, you must have found this article useful and if you have any doubts regarding the same, feel free to comment down below and let us know about the same.

For more such information, check out our amazing blogs on our site.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Share Article:

About the Author

Sakshi bachani.

Sakshi Bachani is a freelance Content Writer and Teacher. She has completed her Bachelor's degree from Delhi University.. She has been a freelance teacher for the past five years and has worked towards helping young kids achieve their dreams. She had also worked as an Intern teacher with an NGO. Apart from writing and teaching, she really enjoys music, animals, and plants. She even has her own little garden which she loves very dearly and can be sometimes seen buying more plants for herself.

You might also like

Writing High-Scoring IELTS Essays: A Step-by-Step Guide

Common IELTS Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Advantage Disadvantage IELTS Essay Topics: Sample IELTS Essay

Other stories, is ielts easy or tough how difficult is the ielts test, ielts band descriptors. here’s what you need to know about  them.

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

• Essay Database >
• Essay Examples >
• Essays Topics >
• Essay on Education

Studying Abroad Argumentative Essay Examples

Type of paper: Argumentative Essay

Topic: Education , Culture , Study , Opportunity , Skills , Development , Life , Students

Words: 1500

Published: 01/15/2020

ORDER PAPER LIKE THIS

You can use our collection of  written essays for free as an example for writing your own works. 

The dream of every young man is to experience something new, different and exciting in life that is ahead and at the same time to learn and educate himself in the best possible way. What are the ways of achieving all of that at the same time? One of the ways is to continue education in some other country. That decision is not easy to make and in reaching that decision one would have to be willing to sacrifice something so that something else is gained in return. This essay reflects on benefits and negative things about studying abroad. My opinion is that studying abroad can only bring more advantages than disadvantages because it is a lifetime opportunity to experience something different and enjoy in every minute of it. Education in a country that is away from home gives an opportunity to learn new language, develop your personality and get familiar with new cultures.

Life without parents and their constant supervision can be challenging. A lots of youngsters are willing to try and see how will they manage to live on their own, responsible for their achievements and failures as well. It is a chance to become independent and confident and to clarify your goals for the future. Student exchange programs offer exchange programs where you live for a year in someone’s family and as a part of that family. It is a good way to see different types of families and compare them with your family. Socializing and making life-lasting friendships with people from all over the world is something very precious. In this way, not only does a student develop communication skills but at the same time a strong network of people that can be relied on from all over the world is created. And that strong bond becomes even stronger as the time passes. By doing that you are making an international background for possible career opportunities. According to the research that was conducted on Norwegian students, Wiers-Jenssen (2003) stated that “we discovered that the students seemed to put even more emphasis on the positive aspects of extra-curricular skills they developed by studying abroad” (p. 14). Time spent outside the classroom is probably more important than the time in the classroom. Students who are young wish to use the most of their life and this kind of studying truly allows that experience and adventure. It should be planned carefully and prepared thoroughly. Some of aspects that should be covered during the process of preparation include establishing what the best country for you to study is and to chose the appropriate place. There are a lot of programs that offer different curriculums and one has to be careful in choosing the right one. If you chose a country that you find interesting, it is the half job already done. People often go to study abroad without through preparation. If a student for example comes from the Middle East and is not prepared for a cultural change, then it will be a shock for a student. Different cultures present treasure in this world and they should be nursed. Introduction with new culture, tradition and life style different from your own can only broaden someone’s horizons and help to understand people who live and work in this country. By introducing with the new culture, you also get the opportunity to reflect on your own culture from different perspective. In this way, a student can practice and improve communication and interpersonal skills. These positive reinforcements lead to character building and developing a better understanding of people. Familiarizing with the culture of the host country is important so that awkward situations can be lead to minimum. In order to study abroad the preparation period is as much important as the studying itself. Otherwise, a sense of loneliness and alienation overcomes and it reflects on the process of learning leading to failure and early return home. It would be best to learn something more about the culture, way of life and people before you start on this unforgettable journey, because the more you know the better person you become.

New language can also be one of the triggers that motivate and encourage students to study abroad. There in no better place to learn a new language than the country where this language is official. In most cases, students usually decide about their country of studying based on the language. Language is a decisive factor in choosing where to study. According to Wiers-Jenssen (2003) “More than half of the students report that former knowledge of the language had ‘fairly high’ or ‘vital’ importance for their choice of country of study” (p. 8). Therefore the factor of language is very important in your decision of the host country. On the other hand, most colleges and universities offer lectures in English language therefore it wouldn’t be a problem for native English speakers. However, speakers who are non native and have poor knowledge of English language are predisposed at the very start to experience bad results followed by poor grades. Language barrier has to be overcome so that education is completed successfully. Language barrier can also be presented as a threat in communication with teachers and peers as well, leading to personal issues and retreat into yourself that can do a lot of damage for the self-esteem and self-confidence. If I decide on studying abroad in a host country whose language I do not know I would enroll in a course to learn basics of that language and from then on improve my language skills. Making conversation with natives is also a great thing to learn a new language and phrases that cannot be found in the textbooks. Apart from these reasons that will lead to the final decision about studying abroad, one should also bear in mind that studying abroad is an investment for all the students who are willing to build their careers or improve their knowledge. What could be more natural or better than to visit and study a year in Paris, France or Milano, Italy if you want to become a designer or a painter? It is a change to see and explore places as well as to challenge your limits. It is a lifetime opportunity to visit all the historical places that are of importance in the world history and to explore the nature of the host country. There are so many places to visit and these places are not usually included in the tourist brochures. Also, I find interesting exploring places that are hidden from the tourists. One can set on a journey with a fellow students and seen places that are hidden from the rest of the world. Studying abroad can also benefit for the improvement of your knowledge. It can be used in a sense that one can see different approaches to a certain scientific field that a student finds interesting. In that way, one can learn new methodologies that can be applied for the same problem, develop new skills and learn how to re-examine from different angles. This can be of great help in the future process of education and further career development. In order to state a final decision, every student to be should take into account advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad that are presented. In my opinion, there are more advantages for studying abroad and all of the disadvantages can be easily solved with preparation. However, there is only minority of them who can experience this, due to material reasons or some other issues. If an opportunity of studying abroad is given, one should embrace it, and start a wonderful exciting journey that will definitely change a perspective and enable you to see things from other perspectives, to learn something new and enjoy the life.

Bibliography:

Wiers-Jenssen, J. (2003) Experience of students from a linguistically and geographically peripheral European country. Oslo, Norway: Cerifax Publishing. Retrieved from: http://dtserv1.compsy.uni-jena.de/__c1256fb10047c04a.nsf/0/C270E11187B8C173C1256FF40063286B/$FILE/ARtikel_InterkulturelleArbeit.pdf

In the introduction a subject of the essay is given, it explores the negative and positive aspects of studying abroad and my opinion. The second paragraph gives the challenges offered by studying abroad. The following paragraph deals with the benefits of studying abroad. Other paragraphs include my statement that studying abroad is a good thing and deal with benefits of studying abroad with examples and some of the factors that influence in choosing a host country. Benefits of studying abroad include a chance to get to know different cultures, improve language, meet knew people. Conclusion gives the summary of the essay stating that studying abroad is a chance to become betters persons and enrich our life with this experience.

Cite this page

Share with friends using:

Removal Request

Finished papers: 241

This paper is created by writer with

If you want your paper to be:

Well-researched, fact-checked, and accurate

Original, fresh, based on current data

Eloquently written and immaculately formatted

275 words = 1 page double-spaced

Get your papers done by pros!

Other Pages

Garbage argumentative essays, garbage collection course work, intellectual course work, indiscipline course work, training program course work, injection course work, management consulting course work, amp course work, helping course work, institute course work, food bank course work, geography creative writings, free essay about how to avoid stress, example of course work on the sociological environment, tittle essay, the rise of social media in the hospitality industry critical thinking samples, data association analysis essays examples, good example of essay on obamas deal, free case study on the higher colleges of technology, example of essay on why according to the principle of equality must one show that there are real, free essay on digital project management, nursing research critique research paper examples, sample essay on similarities, the color of water ruth essay, free essay on mechanism of monitoring and evaluating performance, sawer essays, terracing essays, grandiose essays, heinz essays, video game industry essays, the delivery essays, time and money essays, learning opportunities essays, hang essays, physical health essays, greg essays, quotation marks essays, yours essays, first world essays, obesity epidemic essays, taco bell essays, roman history essays, the road essays.

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

Why Studying Abroad Results in Better Education Essay

Introduction, merits of studying abroad, demerits of studying abroad, works cited.

Education is one of the most important building blocks of the human civilization. It provides people with the knowledge necessary to take part in the advancement of the society (Brand and Xie 273).

Because of the importance attached to education, many governments have tried to provide the best education opportunities to their citizens. Many institutions of higher learning have been established in countries all over the world. In addition to this, the number of students enrolled in institutes of higher learning today is greater than it has ever been at any other time in history.

However, the educational standards and opportunities among vactious countries differ. Therefore, some individuals opt to travel abroad for better educational opportunities. This has led to questions as to which is the more advantageous form of education: local education or abroad education. This paper will argue that studying abroad increases the chances for a person to acquire a good education and therefore improve his/her economic outcomes.

By studying abroad, a person is better prepared to enter the international labor market. The world today is highly globalized and international companies are being set up in most nations (Black and Duhon 141). International competitiveness is therefore becoming important for individuals from all countries. Prospective employees are increasingly required to have an education that is internationally oriented.

For most people, especially in developing nations, the only way to gain an education that will satisfy the demands of the international job market is by studying abroad. Multinational companies prefer to employ people who have some international exposure since such individuals are more likely to have the skills necessary to function in a global business environment. The huge economic and talent gains that studying abroad brings are therefore key motivation for studying abroad.

Studying abroad increases the cultural competence of an individual. When studying abroad, students interact with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. This exposure enables them to appreciate other cultures. Black and Duhon suggest that a student who has studied abroad develops a broader outlook on life due to his interaction with people who have different views on life (144).

Contact with culturally diverse individuals will increase tolerance for differences. This multicultural exposure is important since today’s workplace is characterized by workers of varied cultural backgrounds (Black and Duhon 142). A student who has studied abroad will therefore be at an advantage when dealing with other employees in the multicultural work setting.

Studying abroad assists in the growth and development of the student’s home country. Today’s economy is highly dependent on a modern and more global labor force. Many developing countries lack the resources necessary to create this global labor force. Most domestic education programs are characterized by a lack of diverse knowledge (Huang 118).

This limits the exposure of a student and fails to prepare him/her for the global work environment. For such countries, the only feasible alternative is for the citizens to go abroad for studies and then come back equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge. Studying approach enables the country’s citizenry to access the educational resources necessary to build a sustainable economy in modern times.

By studying abroad, a student is exposed to opportunities to utilize research and technology that is not available in his/her home country. The educational services offered in different countries vary in terms of the facilities available and the faculty members. Some international schools are renowned for their first class research facilities and advanced technology (Harman 110).

Internationally renowned schools also attract the best faculty members. Most Western Nations have established themselves as the powerhouses in scientific research and technology. When a person goes to study from schools in these countries, he/she is given the chance to benefit from resources therein. The quality of education that a student gains is therefore greater than what he/she would have had in the local institutes.

Studying abroad gives a person more choice in terms of courses and institutions of higher education. In some countries, the number of courses provided for the students in educational institutes is narrow. Huang documents that most developing nations have a limited list of available courses on offer to their students (120). A student who wishes to pursue a specialized course might find himself/herself unable to do so since the course is absent from the list offered in his country.

The institutes abroad have very expansive list of courses on offer and this gives the student more choices (Brand and Xie 273). By studying abroad, an individual is able to select the desired course from the many options on offer. In addition to this, studying abroad gives a student a large selection of schools to choose from. A person therefore has the chance to select his ideal school from a large collection when he goes to study abroad.

Studying abroad can help overcome the issue of limited places in local educational institutes. More people appreciate the value of education today and this has led to higher enrollment rates in institutions of learning (Olcott 99).

As the demand for education increases, it is becoming harder for students to gain placement in local institutes. Studying abroad gives a person the chance to explore other options. A person is able to find a school in a foreign country and therefore pursue his/her educational goals in spite of the limited places locally.

Studying abroad enhances a student’s proficiency in a foreign language. In some cases, students go to study abroad in countries where people communicate in languages foreign to the student. In such a case, the student can enhance his proficiency in the particular language. Hunley asserts that while it is possible to learn a foreign language through traditional didactic experiences, the exposure to native speakers and the culture in which the language is used is indispensable (3).

Language is the most important tool of interaction and achieving proficiency in foreign languages increases the marketability of a person. The world today is characterized by a major integration of economies and cultures. Therefore, the frequency of interaction with people who speak different languages is high. Studying abroad gives a student proficiency in more than one language and this is an advantage when they are applying for a job. Organizations view people with additional language skills as greater assets.

Studies indicate that students who study abroad have higher overall grades and they graduate sooner than their counterparts who study locally. Redden documents that the timely graduation rate of students who studied abroad was 23% higher than that of students who did not study abroad (1).

This link between studying abroad and on-time graduation can be attributed to the deep commitment that students who study abroad have to learning and their motivation to get on with life. Most of these students want to successfully complete their course and reap the benefits of their education. The fact that abroad education is expensive serves as a major incentive for the students to work hard and achieve good results for themselves.

Studying abroad promotes personal growth in the individual as they are forced to deal with issues on their own. For most people, moving to study abroad entails leaving behind a familiar environment and going to an unfamiliar place. In this new place, the individual does not have the social and economic support that he enjoyed in his home country.

The student is forced to handle issues on his/her own in the host country. Hunley asserts that such experiences assist students develop “a better sense of self and have more insight into their lives” (4). During the adjustment period, the student will learn how to deal with real life situations on his/her own.

One of the main disadvantages of studying abroad is the significant cost associated with the activity. Studying locally is usually cheaper since the government may subsidize local institutes and a student does not have to incur high costs of living (Hunley 4). On the other hand, studying abroad is an expensive affair and the student is forced to incur significant financial costs in the overseas school. In addition to the cost of tuition at the educational institute, the student has to cater for the cost of living, which is in most cases very high.

Adjusting to life in a foreign country might be hard and if a person is unable to adapt effectively, their experience will be bad. Studying abroad means that a person has to move from their familiar environment to one that is alien to them. Most people experience culture shock and may have a hard time integrating into their new environment (Pyvis and Chapman 24). Some students end up feeling isolated and a lack of social support.

Without friends and family to help the person, studying abroad can be an emotionally straining. Hunley documents that students who study abroad experience psychological problems such as anxiety and depression because of the lack of adequate social support (14). Some people find the environment too strenuous and they decide to return to their home country. If a student decides to return home without completing his/her studies, he/she will have wasted time and a lot of money unnecessarily.

A notable disadvantage of studying abroad is that it leads to a loss of human and intellectual capital to some countries. Most students who leave their home countries to study abroad do not return once they have completed their studies.

Instead, they seek employment opportunities in their host country and utilize their professional skills for the benefit of the host. This problem of human and intellectual capital loss is most significant in developing countries. Tansel and Naomi assert that most students from third world countries leave for further studies never to return leading to a brain drain from the developing nations (54).

Studying abroad reduces the incentive for many countries to develop their own local educational institutes to meet international standards. As has been noted, most students go to study abroad in order to benefit from the research and technological advances in the overseas institutes.

The home country is not pressured into creating their own highly developed education systems since there is the option of going abroad to get the same. Olcott documents that these short-term strategies of utilizing the expertise and knowledge base of other countries is preferred by most developing nations since it is the relatively cheap option (98). Studying abroad decreases the chances of a country developing its own high quality education system leading to poor education outcomes for the country.

While the importance of education is acknowledged by all people, debates concerning which is better between local and abroad’s education systems are notably on the rise. Proponents of attaining an education locally argue that studying abroad causes an unnecessary strain on the student who is forced to incur significant financial expenses without a guarantee that their investment will pay off.

The opponents of studying abroad also note that this system discourages some countries from investing in their own high class educational facilities. While this argument is true, studying abroad leads to many advantages for the individual student and his home nation. Students obtain knowledge and skill that they later use to advance their home countries. Some nations are even motivated to improve their educational institutes in order to attract foreign students.

Harman states that for educational institutes to operate effectively internationally, they have to adopt internationally oriented curricula and expand their programs (113). The host nation therefore benefits from these innovations, which come about because of students wanting to study abroad.

The paper has acknowledged that students who study abroad deal with many challenges and problems due to their isolation from the familiar environment in their home country. However, these challenges help the student attain a level of maturity and gain insights into his/her life.

In addition to this, the challenges are only temporary in nature. Dwyer notes that when students study abroad for longer durations, they are able to overcome the initial setbacks caused by culture shock and benefit from the educational opportunities presented to them in the new environment (152). Students who overcome these hardships develop greater emotional maturity and they are likely to achieve success in life because of their experiences.

This paper set out to argue that studying abroad is a positive thing since it offers the individual many benefits. The paper began by highlighting that a student gains a competitive advantage in the labor market due to his/her international education.

Studying abroad gives the individual many opportunities and exposes them to different cultures and ways of life. The paper has also discussed some of the major demerits associated with studying abroad. It has noted that studying abroad is an expensive affair and many students have a hard time adjusting to life in a foreign country.

However, most students manage to overcome the setbacks that studying abroad presents and benefit from the practice. From the arguments presented in this paper, it is clear that the advantages of studying abroad to the individual and his home country by far outweigh the disadvantages. This practice should therefore be encouraged in order to ensure that more nations benefit from the economic growth and development that is promoted by studying abroad.

Black, Haron and Duhon Davis. “Assessing the impact of business study abroad programs on cultural awareness and personal development.” Journal of Education for Business 81.3 (2006): 140–144. Web.

Brand, Jennie and Xie, Yu. “Who benefits most from college? Evidence for negative selection in heterogeneous economic returns to higher education”. American Sociological Review 2.75 (2010): 272-302. Web.

Dwyer, Max. “More is better: The Impact of Study Abroad Program Duration.” The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad 10.1 (2004): 151–163. Web.

Harman, George. “New Directions in Internationalizing Higher Education: Australia’s Development as an Exporter of Higher Education Services.” Higher Education Policy 17.1 (2004): 101-120. Web.

Huang, Futao. “Quality Enhancement and Qualitative Growth: Changes and Trends of China’s Higher Education.” Higher Education Policy 18.2 (2005): 117-130. Web.

Hunley, Holly. The Impact of Mental Health on the Decision to Study Abroad and on Students’ Functioning While Studying Abroad, Chicago: ProQuest, 2008. Print.

Olcott, Don. “Back to the UK Future Trends in Internationalism and Cross-border Higher Education.” Perspectives 13.4 (2009): 98-103. Web.

Pyvis, David and Chapman Anne. “Culture Shock and the International Student ‘Offshore’.” Journal of Research in International Education 4.1 (2005): 23‐42. Web.

Redden, Elizabeth. Study Abroad, Graduate on Time . 2012. Web.

Tansel, Alex and Naomi Güngör. “Brain drain from Turkey: Survey evidence of student non-return.” Career Development International 8.2 (2003): 52–69. Web.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, January 30). Why Studying Abroad Results in Better Education. https://ivypanda.com/essays/why-studying-abroad-results-in-better-education/

"Why Studying Abroad Results in Better Education." IvyPanda , 30 Jan. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/why-studying-abroad-results-in-better-education/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'Why Studying Abroad Results in Better Education'. 30 January.

IvyPanda . 2024. "Why Studying Abroad Results in Better Education." January 30, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/why-studying-abroad-results-in-better-education/.

1. IvyPanda . "Why Studying Abroad Results in Better Education." January 30, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/why-studying-abroad-results-in-better-education/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Why Studying Abroad Results in Better Education." January 30, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/why-studying-abroad-results-in-better-education/.

• Should Students Study Abroad?
• The Positive and Negative Aspects of Studying Abroad
• The Criteria and Benefits That Allow Students to Work Abroad
• Challenges of Studying Abroad
• Reasons for Studying Abroad: Benefits and Challenges
• Studying Abroad as a Chance to Employed
• Specifics of Studying Abroad
• Studying Abroad and Improving the Outcomes of Students’ Career Development
• Studying Abroad: Targeted Research Projects
• Studying at a University in Own Country Over Studying Abroad
• International Education: Features, Aims and Impacts to Society
• Causes and Effects of Studying In Australia
• International Students Participation in ELICOS Australia
• The Immigration Status for Students
• Exploring the International Students as a Community