Studying abroad shall be one of the most benefitting experience in a student’s life. When you study abroad, you have the opportunity to study in a new country and experience the culture of a new terrain. Here are the top ten reasons to study abroad
1. Explore the world
The substantial reason, one should choose a study abroad program is, the OPPORTUNITY to SEE the WORLD around. You will then have the option to experience a new country with magnificent outlooks, activities and traditions. Additionally, this will include the opportunity to see new lands, natural wonders, arts, archeology, museum and the landmark of the host nation. Besides this, when you are abroad you have the opportunity to see the neighboring countries as well.
2. Education
Another important reason you need to consider studying abroad is to grab the chance to experience the different styles of education. You’ll have the option to see a side of your major subject that you might have not been exposed to at the home country after you enroll for a study program abroad. Immersing yourself completely into the education system of the host country is a distinguished method to understand the people, traditions and its culture. As education is the main feature for the study abroad program, choosing the right school is an important element.
3. Encompass new culture
Once you choose to study abroad, for many, it would be the first time they are leaving home. When you acquire education abroad you will find amazing new foods, customs, traditions and social atmosphere. Therefore, you can then witness a completely new way of life.
4. Whet your Language Skills
One of the considerable draws is the opportunity to study a foreign language. Studying abroad, totally helps you plunge into a new language. There is no better way to learn a language than diving into it. Of course, passing IELTS, PTE or OET before moving to any English speaking country would be of great help.
5. Career Opportunities
Many students identify that they love their host country so much that in future, they decide to work there. Once you complete your study abroad you will have a new perspective on culture, language skills, eminent education and enthusiasm to learn. Needless to say, these are all the important attributes an employer would look for!
6. Find new interest
If you still question the idea of studying abroad, understand that studying in a different country offers many activities/interested which you would never have discovered in your home country. Most importantly, you might find that you will have talents hidden in you for hiking, water sports, snow skiing, golf, or various other new sports you may never have tried back home.
7. Improves confidence and personality
Studying abroad brings out your independent nature. Students who study abroad eventually explore their new nation and discover the curio and excitement. Above all, you will get the opportunity to discover yourself while being a part of the new culture.
8. Graduate Admissions
Students who study abroad demonstrate diversity and exhibit the fact that they aren’t afraid to seek out new challenges or find solutions for any difficult situation they need to encounter. Eventually, students who study abroad display curiosity and educational insight to be a leader in graduate schools.
9. Experience in Life
For many, this may be the one-time opportunity they ever get to travel or explore for a longer period of time. Utilize the option to travel around the globe without commitments but with your focus only on studies and exploration. Studying abroad is unlike any other opportunities you will get to experience, is very unique.
10 Experience a different style of teaching
The benefits of studying abroad are immense at any stage in your education. However, for those students who are planning to study abroad, identifying the right study program to fit their requirements can be exigent. Hence, it’s equally important to find a program that will help you meet your objectives.
Studying abroad will help you gel into various educational settings and expand your horizon in academics. Developing the capability to adapt to different educational settings will make you more versatile in your workplace. Besides that, opportunity to learn from other students from different countries would be an awesome experience.
When it comes to foreign education, lots of false information reach potential students, which projects an alternate reality, which eventually make them take life changing decisions. We attempt to break few myths and lay out the true information to the possible extent.
a. Studying abroad is very expensive.
The cost of studying abroad is predominantly higher than in India, no doubt. The total cost involved in the program will depend upon many factors like the university, location and duration of the course. If you plan your finances effectively, your education will never seem a burden. Also, the finances need to be looked at a different perspective. Therefore, it is important to focus on, not the expense point of view, but the long term benefits you reap out of it. Moreover, you have the option to take up part time jobs to meet your daily expenses
b. Difficulty in getting scholarships
When it comes to scholarship for international students, there are two types. Merit based and need based. Besides this, you can avail scholarship programs sponsored by few global, national and regional organisations. You can be in touch with the international student’s community to gain better understanding on your specific eligibility criteria.
c. Employers do not give importance to candidates who studied abroad.
Like we discussed before, employers associate study abroad candidates with skills like international exposure, social skills, strong problem-solving skills, language proficiency, self -reliance, risk taking, cross culture dynamics, flexibility, global networks.
d. There will be problems communicating with foreigners
In most foreign colleges/schools, English is the spoken language and also the medium of instruction. Take this as an opportunity to improve your linguistic proficiency. Furthermore, you will gain the near-native fluency in English that would add to your skills in communication.
e. Indian students face neglection
Media, to a greater extent creates a wrong impression about Indians. A distorted image of the reality is being portrayed by the media. Professors are more like mentors than teachers and are very much approachable. They believe that, to achieve the effective means of learning, students should never feel threatened.
f. Studying abroad is not safe anymore
There is a zero-tolerance policy towards the harassment of international students in colleges. Staff and students need to adhere to all rules and obligations. However, safety measures you need to take care of while studying abroad is no different. In conclusion, though there are some challenges that are to be dealt with, Study abroad is definitely worthwhile in terms of the learning experience, broadening of mindset as well the career opportunities it offers
Manju Mahadevan
SkillUp Global
Note: A separate article covering the options that are available for study abroad will be released soon. Keep visiting!
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