Studying abroad is a double-edged blade. It can be an incredibly eye-opening and life-changing experience, but it also carries the potential to leave you disappointed and far more broke than when you started. In today’s post I’ll run through a few of the major pros and cons of studying abroad. Keep reading.
Is it worth doing a study abroad?
It is worth doing a study abroad because it allows you to experience different cultures, customs, and lifestyles. It also helps you to learn how to communicate with people from other countries and develop an international perspective.
The experience of studying in another country will help you to grow as a person and expand your horizons. If you are interested in learning about other cultures, then studying abroad is a great way to do it.
In addition, it will help you gain international work experience which can be used for future employment opportunities. Studying abroad allows students to explore the world outside their own country and gain an appreciation for other cultures.
It has been shown that students who have studied abroad tend to be more open-minded than those who have never left their home country. Students who have studied abroad also tend to be more worldly-wise than their peers who have never traveled outside their home country.
What advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad?
There are many advantages and disadvantages to studying abroad.
Advantages:
- You can improve your language skills.
- You get a chance to learn about other cultures and lifestyles.
- You can make new friends from different countries, who you may not have met at home!
- It will help you gain independence and self-confidence (especially if you are alone).
- It is also good for your CV and CV points!
Disadvantages:
- If you’re not careful, it could cost an arm and a leg!
- You might have to deal with homesickness at some point during your stay.
- You might miss out on family time and important events that happen while you are away at school or university abroad.
What are the common challenges with studying abroad?
Researchers have found that the most common challenges with studying abroad are:
Language barriers: Many students feel that the language barrier is a major obstacle when studying abroad. The language and culture of your host country can be very different from your own, which can make it difficult to communicate with locals and even other students.
Absence from family and friends: For some people, this is the biggest challenge they face while studying abroad. It can be hard to be away from family and friends during important times in their lives such as birthdays, Christmas or other holidays.
Money management skills: Students often struggle to manage money while studying abroad because they’re used to being supported by their parents back home. When you’re on your own in another country, you have to learn how to budget your money and manage your spending habits so that you don’t run out of cash too soon!
Unfamiliar environment: This one’s pretty self-explanatory — if you’ve never been away from home before then moving into an unfamiliar environment (whether it’s a new city or even just a new apartment building) can take some getting used to!
Which universities have a high international student acceptance rate?
The following table shows the top 10 universities with the highest acceptance rate:
| Universities | Acceptance rate |
| Rice university | 15.1% |
| Cornell university | 14.4% |
| University of California-Berkeley | 16% |
| Johns hopkins university | 12.8% |
| Dartmouth University | 10.6% |
Studying abroad tips
The best way to ensure a successful study abroad experience is to prepare for it well in advance. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Make sure your college or university will allow you to study abroad. Some schools require that you take certain courses, or have a certain GPA, before they will approve your study abroad program. Be sure to check with the school’s International Office to find out what their policies are.
Find out how much it will cost. Many universities offer scholarships and grants for students who want to study internationally, but some programs may cost more than others depending on where you decide to go.
Research your options and choose a program that fits your interests and goals. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to explore different types of programs once you begin researching them!
Talk with your family members about studying abroad – especially if they have never lived outside of their home country before. They may have concerns about safety, language barriers, cultural differences, etc., so make sure they know what they’re getting into before you leave!
If possible, ask friends who have studied abroad about their experiences – both good and bad – so that you can learn from their mistakes (and successes).
sources:
https://www.topuniversities.com/blog/top-5-challenges-studying-abroad