Reasons Why You Should Study Abroad
Have you ever thought about living in a different country? Of course, you have. It’s easy enough to dream about it, but most of us refrain from actually doing it, due to the cost and time commitment. Not to mention, you don’t know the first thing about what it’s like in a foreign country – their language, traditions, food, culture, etc. However, it’s not a pipe dream.
The United States alone has nearly 4000 colleges and universities, with 17 million students each year who come from different countries. Studies show that almost 1 in 4 students study abroad at some point during their academic career. So, as outlandish as the idea might seem, studying abroad is something a lot of people do in their life, and it benefits them for several reasons, including:
Learning a New Language
If you opt to study abroad in a country that’s more accessible or affordable to you than the U.S. or U.K., you might end up living in a place that doesn’t use English as their primary language. This might seem daunting at first, but it is an opportunity in disguise, as you can add another language to your arsenal.
Further to that, you can take the time while you’re living there to improve your proficiency in that language. To make the most of this opportunity, you can join language classes offered by reputable institutions like The Spanish Cat, which can offer immersive and effective Spanish courses for students of all levels. Fluency in a new language like Spanish can help you immensely in your academic and professional career, not to mention it will act as a gateway for you to immerse yourself fully in the local culture. The language will give you a better understanding of the country’s traditions, customs, and unique way of life, making your study abroad experience enriching and unforgettable.
Learning To Be Responsible For Yourself
While many of you might look at the opportunity to study abroad as a way to absolute freedom – the freedom to party, the freedom to pursue different passions, or the freedom to do nothing – or maybe you might be completely laser-focused on getting better grades, studying abroad will teach you certain responsibilities of living on your own that living at home simply will not.
From basic chores such as keeping your house clean and doing your laundry, to more complex responsibilities such as working a part-time job. In every case, studying abroad will make you learn many important lessons in life.
Opportunities To Travel
There is always going to be a novelty and excitement about traveling to a new country, of seeing sights and people that you only see in pictures or read about in books. While this may not be on the top of everyone’s list, it is inevitable.
If you’re studying abroad, you’re going to travel the country or the continent when you have the time. Either by yourself or as part of a group, studying abroad affords you the chance of travelling to the lesser-known attractions a country has to offer, to tread the paths usually omitted by travel agencies. Since you’ve already finished the hard part of crossing into a foreign country, traveling within it becomes relatively cheap, which is always music to a student’s ears.
Advantages Of Studying Abroad
Studying Abroad has its advantages. While you may save a lot of money studying at home, it’s not going to afford you the same opportunities or access that studying abroad will offer. To put it bluntly, the primary reason why students choose to study abroad is that degrees from American and European universities are simply worth more. They will provide you with opportunities for cutting-edge research, better jobs, and higher pay.
The cost of studying abroad is often offset by the leaps your career takes up the corporate ladder, which is why so many students prefer it. On top of that, you also get the opportunity to make friends and contacts from around the world, learn from some of the best teachers, and make the best of your student life!
Some Important Considerations
We’ve covered many of the benefits of studying abroad, however, they all come at a cost. Fortunately for you, there are many ways to alleviate some of the pressure of applying to study abroad.
Firstly, studying abroad is something you should go for only if you have the financial means to do so. There are methods such as scholarships and student loans that can help you to bear these costs but be sure you have a plan for using this money efficiently.
Secondly, always research the universities you want to apply to, and set your academic goals accordingly. Having the proper academic qualifications will allow for a smoother admission process. If you search for them, there are education counsellors who can help you map out your journey to studying abroad down to the last detail.
Finally, you have to prove your proficiency in the primary language of the region in which the university of your choice is situated. This will, as discussed above, will also help you have an overall better experience while you are studying abroad.
To conclude, studying abroad will help you make unforgettable memories, and you will also gain valuable knowledge and experience to help you succeed in your future careers. There will always be some amount of hesitation when it comes to a major decision such as this, but as you can see, there are major rewards as well!