Studying abroad not only enhances your career prospects but also lets you involve in a new culture and experience the world. Learn about the different benefits of pursuing higher education abroad.
In a globalized, well-connected world, employers increasingly value graduates with international experience and education. Studying abroad enhances your skills to learn new languages, explore new cultures, overcome challenges of living in another country and gain a greater understanding of the world. Read through this article to understand the various benefits of studying abroad.
Benefits of Studying Abroad
Studying abroad has become increasingly relevant in a globalized world. If you're planning to study abroad, the following are some of the ways in which it will benefit your education and career.
- Enhance your educational and professional aspects
- Experience the world
- Involve in a new culture
- Sharpen your language skills
- Feel confident
- Gain independence
- Attain a global mindset
- Explore international job prospects
Enhance your educational and professional aspects
One of the main benefits of studying abroad is that you would have the chance of experiencing a different style of education. It provides you with international learning and working experience at an early stage. It widens your career opportunities and helps you learn global techniques and methods in your field of study. Studying abroad helps you receive the best possible teaching in your field of study.
Also, they are offering a wide range of courses in different fields which include research works and skill-based developments and value each course they offer. This guides you through the different horizons and encourages you to open up to new perspectives of education.
Experience the world
The World is new and the experience is infinity. Most students choose abroad not only for better education but also to travel to new places and explore the wonder. During your leisure time, you can go explore your new city, neighbouring regions, and other nearby countries, as you’re not limited to one place. Students get to experience the world first-hand which is one of the many benefits of studying abroad.
With international budget airlines, special discounts on student accommodation in London and travel deals, exploring the world is becoming increasingly more affordable for most of us.
Involve in a new culture
Experiencing a new culture may feel weird at first because Indians are from a culture driven country. At first, we may feel uncomfortable with the new culture and it's hard to adapt to that situation. But once you started exploring them it becomes interesting and your experience will help you learn new perspectives of life and other cultural awareness.
For instance, you may live with people from different cultures there, these experiences will make you more comfortable with people from different backgrounds, value their unique experiences, and establish a stronger relationship with them. To add that, the best way to experience another culture is to immerse yourself in it, and the ideal way to do that is by living in another country.
Sharpen your language skills
Studies have shown that instant dive is the best way to become fluent in any language and in understanding a new culture. You are going to live with foreign-language speakers, it would be easier to grasp the language then. This may be hard at first and you may feel failure but always remember "Failure is the stepping stone".
Once you started practising the language regularly it will help you enhance your skills and fluency in that language. Practice makes a man perfect is not just a proverb it is proof if you started practising daily it becomes your habit. It will increase your participation in different works and helps you to excel in your studies and make new contacts from other parts of the world who may even become professional connections down the road.
Feel confident
Being Independent is the greatest gift one can ask for. You have full independence when you choose to study abroad. You will have time to know about yourself and these times are greatest for your self-development. Nothing is interesting like being on your own in a foreign country. You will slowly realize that pursuing abroad studies have enhanced your confidence and brought you individuality which can be considered one of the benefits of studying abroad.
Most students who study abroad intended to be explorers of their new nation and are curious about the new culture. A benefit of studying abroad is the opportunity to discover yourself while gaining an understanding of a different culture. Staying alone is hard sometimes and will test your adaptability to situations.
Gain independence
Students living abroad for studies experience independence outside the comforts of their homes. Staying abroad comes as an exciting new challenge with different experiences. One learns to rely on self rather than family for everything from cooking and cleaning to managing studies.
Attain a global mindset
One of the many benefits of studying abroad is that students get to meet new people and gain a different perspective on various cultures. One can develop cultural awareness while studying abroad which can in turn help them gain a global mindset and question certain personal beliefs. Students also learn to see their own culture from a new perspective and develop their own views rather than simply accepting those defined by the society they live in.
Explore international job prospects
A variety of international job options are other benefits of studying abroad. Students always have the option to stay back and apply for a work visa. International exposure is also favoured for employment in many countries. Students having relevant experience of studying and living abroad are given preference over other candidates.
Disadvantages of Studying Abroad
Like a coin with two sides studying abroad has its advantages and disadvantages but it makes you, even more, stronger and more confident about yourself. Some of the major disadvantages of studying abroad are:
Communication barrier
Keeping up with your studies in non-English speaking countries will be challenging and your stay will become hard if you don’t know the first language of your study abroad destination. Though it's hard it is worth it when you started learning it. Learning the first language of your study abroad destination can make your life easier and helps you in blending with the culture there.
Adapting to a new culture
Yet another challenge one could face is adapting to new cultural changes. This would be even harder when you don't know the native language. But on the bright side, when you start to accept the changes you become more open to new cultures and different people and their perspectives.
Cost of living
The University fee and the cost of living will be a bit higher and you may find yourself living on a tough budget. The cost of living will be very high which may affect your lifestyle. But you are lucky if you get a fully-funded scholarship and student housing in the UK, then this could be less of a problem, so start working on your research work which helps you get your fully-funded scholarship.
Researching the cost of living in your study abroad destination, and preparing a detailed budget plan will help you while pursuing your studies and living abroad. Finally, every new step is different and hard but if you learn to face it you can easily adapt to new changes and make yourself a better person enjoying and learning every aspect of life.
Basic Requirements to Study Abroad
Students willing to study abroad would have to appear for language exams such as the IELTS, TOEFL and PTE and general exams such as SAT, GMAT, GRE and ACT as a part of the eligibility requirements. The minimum required scores for these tests depend on the respective university that the student is applying for. Students prefer studying abroad mainly due to reasonable tuition fees, low cost of living coupled with education loans and scholarships to cover the expenses.
General exams such as the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), American College Testing (ACT) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required for admission to various colleges in countries such as the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, etc. English language proficiency should also be proved with test scores of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Pearson Test of English (PTE). Given below are the other eligibility requirements considered for studying abroad:
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Reference letters
- Work experience (for PG courses)
- Valid visa and passport
- Academic transcripts
