Pros and Cons of Studying Abroad
For most students, studying abroad is a rewarding experience that they are happy to have undertaken. However for others, the experience is one that they wish had been different in some way or even regretted completely. Understanding the tradeoffs of studying abroad is an important part of making the best choices of where and how to study in another country -- or even whether to leave one's own country. To help students make these choices, this article explores the pros and cons of international studies.
Degree Value
Students who earn a degree overseas need to be aware of potential differences in how their degree will be valued in their home country and elsewhere. Unfortunately, there is no worldwide standard for higher education degrees and thus evaluation of degrees is not easy. European degrees have recently been standardized but elsewhere around the world, degrees can vary in length, content and quality. At the graduate level, master's and doctoral degrees differ in their thesis and/or research requirements. There are a number of agencies which specialize in evaluating foreign degrees to determine whether they are equivalent to a degree earned in the person's home country. Students may want to contact one of these agencies before committing to a degree program if they are unsure how it will be valued at home.
Value to Employers
In general, studying abroad is highly valued by employers. A study abroad experience is assumed to have benefitted the student in ways that will make them a more valuable employee than someone who did not study abroad. Qualities such as self-motivation, maturity, confidence and open-mindedness may be assumed in such students regardless of where they studied abroad or for how long. Beyond these general qualities, certain employers will be looking to hire individuals who have specific language skills, cultural awareness or experience working with people from specific parts of the world.
In some cases, however, an employer may not consider a study-abroad experience to be a positive attribute. For instance, if a student in a rigorous program at a highly respected school studies abroad at a school without the same quality level, some employers may worry the student has missed out on important aspects of their education. Similarly, if a student has earned an entire degree abroad at a school the employer is unfamiliar with, the degree may not be valued as highly as a degree from even a mediocre college in the person's home country. Finally, some employers have the perception that studying abroad is just "play time" rather than a valuable learning experience.
Quality of Education
The quality of education available around the world varies considerably between countries and also within countries. Students who plan to enroll directly in a university abroad need to do some research to make sure the school they choose meets their standards. The various world university rankings such as the QS World University rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities can be helpful although small institutions which may have high-quality instructors but less emphasis on research will typically not rank highly. Prospective students need to verify the school is accredited properly and should talk to present and past students to gather first-hand feedback.
Students who study abroad through an exchange program will not have to worry as much about quality since their home school will have verified this already. These students still need to pick their courses carefully. As a general rule, it is better to take elective courses when studying abroad especially if the student is concerned that the quality of instruction may not be quite as high as at their home school or if they'll be taking the course in a foreign language. Courses that have specific relevance to the location of the school may be of higher quality than those offered at home since the instructors may have first-hand knowledge of the subject-matter.
Personal Benefits and Challenges
Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience that impacts a student's life in many positive ways. Increased maturity, independence, self-reliance and openness to new experiences are some of the positive outcomes many students experience. Students often make long-lasting friendships and become more aware of their own values and culture and accepting of those whose values and lifestyles differ from their own.
For some students however, studying abroad can be a challenging experience. Some students have great difficulty acclimating to a new environment where everything from the food to the language to the style of instruction may be different from what they are used to. Students who choose to study abroad independently, especially at a school with few foreigners from their home country, may have the most difficulty. A student's own personality and level of comfort being in an unfamiliar place will also have an impact on their experience. Safety is another challenge in some locations so students need to take personal safety seriously and understand how to stay safe given the local risks.
Quick Tips
- Student needs to evaluate their own level of adaptability and made choices that match it.
- Talking to others who have studied abroad can give students realistic information about what to expect.
- Friends who choose to study-abroad together need to have the same goals and level of adaptability.
- A great study-abroad experience for one person may be a miserable experience for another.
- The length of stay, choice of housing, size of school and other factors will affect a student's experience.
Resources
Students Abroad – US State Department
Institute of International Education
International Student Exchange Program
World Education Services – Academic Credential Service
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