Should We Study Abroad?

張貼日期：Jan 05, 2018 5:52:23 AM

Cara Yee

Currently there are increasing number of universities and colleges developing either study abroad programs or exchange programs. It means people around the world have more choices and more chances to study overseas. However, some people might doubt if it is a right decision or if there are any advantages that they can gain from studying abroad. In my opinion, there are three benefits for studying abroad.

First of all, we can gain different experiences by studying in a foreign country. As we are living in another country that we are totally unfamiliar with, we can experience a different culture. We might face culture shock when starting a brand new life and getting along with local people. Nevertheless, it is the best way for us to know people from different places and we can have new perspectives when communicating with others. Thus, when we are trying to blend into a new culture and environment, it is easier for us to adapt to the global community.

Secondly, we can also learn to be more independent and maturer by studying abroad. As we have no family and friends accompanying us studying overseas, we have to take good care of ourselves. Nobody will do house chores or prepare meals for us. We cannot share our feelings at the first second as our friends are not around us. We may meet new friends in a new place, but it usually takes time for us to open our heart to a new person. Therefore, we are forced to be more independent and maturer once we encounter any troubles and difficulties. Additionally, studying abroad costs a lot and some people would find a part time job for their living expenses so that they can share the heavy burden of tuition and fees with their families. Studying abroad gives us the chances to learn to be a physically and financially independent person.

Lastly, studying overseas provides us with an opportunity to travel abroad, which is usually hard to come by. We can travel from our campus town to other cities, which costs much less than travelling from our hometown, as a train ticket usually cost less than a flight ticket. We can also get closer with our friends when spending our vacations with them, travelling around the country that we are studying in. Once we start to work, we barely have chances to travel around the world with each other as we have no more summer vacations. Therefore, we should take the opportunity to enjoy our vacations when we are still in school.

Apparently, studying abroad brings us many benefits that we can never have while studying in local universities and colleges. It is important that one should broaden one's horizons as the society is becoming more globalized and internationalized. We can know the society better once we access the outer world and contact with outside people, and not just being trapped in our tiny world. To sum up, studying abroad would be a perfect way and chance for us to broaden our horizon and enrich our mind.