Should Students Study Abroad?

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Table of Contents

Introduction
New cultural experiences
Opportunities to learn new languages
Travel opportunities
Enhancement of employment opportunities
Arguments against studying abroad
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Studying abroad refers to the act of pursuing primary, secondary, or post-secondary education in a foreign country. In the United States, foreign students comprise approximately 1 percent of the student population (Byram 34). Many students study aboard especially for their post-secondary education that includes university and postgraduate studies. In certain cases, students enroll for short study programs.

For instance, many institutions conduct academic exchange programs that aim to expose students to new cultures and educational environments (Cressey 52). The issue of studying abroad has been debated among experts in the academic field for a long time.

Opponents argue that it is expensive and introduces students to new cultural experiences that alter their perspectives and values in negative ways. On the other hand, proponents argue that studying abroad is good for cultural exposure and new educational experiences. Students should study abroad because it exposes them to new cultural experiences, provides travel opportunities, increases their chances of employment, and expands their perspectives of different cultures and countries (Cressey 22).

New cultural experiences

One of the advantages of studying abroad is exposure to new cultures and learning environments (Byram 37). Globalization has increased competition for employment opportunities among graduates in international labor markets. As a result, it has initiated changes in learning approaches because of the need to work in different cultures and among people who speak different languages (Cressey 62).

It is necessary for students to study abroad in order for them to gain cross-cultural communication skills, learn different languages, and get international exposure. A common challenge among international workers is ineffective communication due to language barriers (Williamson 29). For instance, American graduates who secure employment in countries such as China and Japan find it difficult to communicate with natives because of language barrier.

In order to work in such countries, learning native languages is a necessity because few people speak English. Studying in China is an opportunity for American students to learn the language and culture of the Japanese. The global economy has numerous challenges that can be overcome by studying abroad. Statistics show that only 10 percent of American students study abroad at one point in their academic lives (Williamson 30).

Experiencing new cultures and environments pushes students out of their comfort zones and facilitates acquisition of skills that are necessary for the attainment of success in the global economy (Byram 39). Countries have different educational systems that encourage diversity through cross-cultural interactions. Exposure to different cultures is important in eradicating ingrained stereotypes and misconceptions about certain races and cultures.

Interacting with people from other cultures equips students with skills that are important in solving challenges that developing countries face (Williamson 33). For instance, foreign students who study in Africa experience the challenges that poor people face. Examples of these challenges include poverty, hunger, and diseases. This increases their compassion and willingness to offer viable solutions to solve the challenges.

Opportunities to learn new languages

The most effective way of learning a new language is through interaction with people who speak that language. In countries that do not use English as the official language, foreign students are required to study the language used by the educational systems of those countries.

Even though some programs are offered in English, students learn local languages in order to ensure proper communication and interaction with other students. One of the advantages of studying a new language is the opportunities it offers with regard to communication, interactions, and socialization with natives (Williamson 39). It is easy to learn a new language through interactions with people who use it.

Travel opportunities

Studying abroad offers students an opportunity to travel to new countries and have new experiences that expand their perceptions of the world (Williamson 41). Foreign students get the opportunity to visit places that they could not have otherwise visited in their lives had they not traveled abroad to study. Some study programs include field trips that allow students to master their surroundings.

In addition to travel experiences, students make new friends because they interact with both natives and foreign students from other countries (Cressey 72). International media outlets usually present distorted images of certain countries by focusing on the challenges that their citizens face such as poverty, hunger, and diseases.

Studying aboard equips students with firsthand experience regarding the lifestyles and economic endeavors of such countries and as such gain new perspectives and ideas (Williamson 46). One of the challenges that American students face is a constricted view of the world. The United States is the largest economy in the world that offers innumerable opportunities to its citizens.

Studying abroad offers American students an opportunity to live in countries that do not offer as many opportunities to citizens as their country does. Such experiences change their perspectives regarding their culture and the cultures of other countries. Cross-cultural interactions shift or validate some of their perspectives and beliefs.

Enhancement of employment opportunities

Students who study abroad increase their opportunities for employment especially by international organizations. Employers are more attracted to individuals who possess international experience that is gained form living in different cultures and countries (McKeown 54).

Examples of job opportunities that require international experience include international relations, diplomacy, medicine, and governance. Students should use their experiences in foreign countries to gain communication skills and other abilities that will give them competitive edge in the labor market. Many students choose to study abroad because of the high quality of education offered in certain educational systems (Cressey 63).

Students from developing countries travel to developed countries for higher education because of the high quality of education offered by the systems in those countries. Another aspect that increases employment opportunities is the creation of professional networks during the study period (Williamson 73). Students form professional networks that they use after graduation to find employment.

Studying abroad increases students’ their opportunities to volunteer, find internships, and work part-time (McKeown 55). Many institutions help students find internships and work placements after completing their programs. Forming professional networks gives students an edge over students who complete their studies in their home countries.

Arguments against studying abroad

Opponents argue that studying abroad exposes foreign students to homesickness, culture shock, and new cultures that might change their perspectives in negative ways (McKeown 58). In addition, they argue that it is expensive and students might enroll in institutions whose educational systems are not as rigorous as those in their home countries. Even though foreign students experience homesickness, the opportunity to study abroad helps to develop independence and learn how to live without influence from their families.

The process of seeking foreign educational opportunities involves a through scrutiny of the educational systems of different institutions. Therefore, before students enroll to foreign institutions, they are usually aware of the value and quality of their educational systems (McKeown 64).

In many cases, students who study abroad receive government grants and scholarships that reduce financial pressure. On the other hand, the quality of education that students receive is far more important than the cost incurred. The benefits of studying abroad outweigh the disadvantages. Finally, the value of international exposure and acquisition of skills that enhance cross-cultural communication overshadows the cost of studying abroad.

Conclusion

Students usually have many options with regard to pursuing their post-secondary education. One of the options is to study abroad. Some of the benefits of studying abroad include exposure to new cultures and educational experiences, enhancement of employment opportunities, and creation of professional networks that are important for career development.

Opponents argue that studying abroad is expensive and posses the potential to affect the cultural perspectives of students negatively. In addition, they claim that students might be subjected to inferior educational systems that fail to equip them with quality academic and professional experience to navigate their careers. An important step in choosing an institution is a through scrutiny of its educational system.

Therefore, it is difficult to enroll into an inferior educational system. On the other hand, many governments and institutions offer scholarships to students. Therefore, those who cannot afford to pay for their study abroad can apply for scholarships and government grants.

Students who study abroad increase their opportunities for employment especially by international organizations because of their experiences with different cultures and cross-cultural communication skills. Another benefit of studying abroad is the opportunity for international travel. Students visit other countries and cultures that facilitated the development of new perspectives. Finally, students get an opportunity to learn new languages that give them competitive edge in different labor markets.

Works Cited

Byram, Michael and Feng Anwei. Living and Studying Abroad: Research and Practice. New York: Multilingual Matters, 2006. Print.

Cressey, William. Guide to Studying Abroad. New York: The Princeton Review, 2004. Print.

McKeown, Joshua. The First Time Effect: the Impact of Study Abroad on College Student Intellectual Development. New York: SUNY Press, 2009. Print.

Williamson, Wendy. Study Abroad 101. New York: Agapy Publishers, 2008. Print.

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