Can Study Abroad Strengthen Ones Self Esteem - Essay Example

Can Studying Abroad Strengthen One’s Self Esteem? Introduction Education is a never ending process; it starts at the time of birth and ends only at the death of a person. Education makes a person capable of facing the challenges in life. Different educational methods and systems are prevailing in different countries for catering the needs of the children, youths and the adults. Many researches are still going on in the educational sector in order to raise the quality of the education. Knowledge is bursting from all corners of the world, virtually in every second. Based on this knowledge explosion human life is also changing and education is the only mean which is capable of helping a person to adapt with the changes happen around him. Instead of completing education in the domestic country, many people are going abroad for their higher education. For example, most of the wealthy Middle Eastern youths from countries like, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar are going to either US or UK for their educational purpose. Educationalists believe that the interaction with the foreign culture will help the students to improve their educational standards and self esteem. On the other hand even the US and UK universities encourage their students to take enrolment in foreign universities at least for a semester or year. If the aim of sending students for overseas education is for getting quality education alone, there is no point in sending the US or UK students for overseas assignments. Aim of the research Most of the people believe that the purpose of sending students for overseas education is for getting quality education. But many of the published data has shown that overseas education provides more than that. The major aim of this research is to find out ‘how one’s self esteem is affected’ because of his education in a foreign country. Moreover, it also explores other benefits associated with studying abroad apart from the development of self esteem. Rationale for the research In many countries, both private and public organizations give more respect and recognition to those who completed their studies abroad. For example, in Asian countries, people who have the backing of a US or UK education will get more opportunities than those who have completed same level of education in his mother country. These organizations believe that in the current era of globalization, foreign education will help the students to get more awareness about the external world and their self esteem would be increased largely due to the interactions with the multicultural environment. Research methodology This research is intended to complete within 2 months. As part of data collection, I would like to collect the primary and secondary data using qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Primary data will be collected through interviews with the students who studied in overseas countries and students who have completed same course domestically. Moreover, surveys and questionnaires are also intended to use for collecting primary data. Secondary data will be collected through literature review, study of published research papers, and data collection including research in libraries and on the internet. Data collection and analysis The data collected from the students who have completed their studies from a foreign university and that of the students completed the same course domestically will be compared to analyse the difference in the levels of self esteem. Comparison of the above two distinct data would give a proper idea about the difference in the levels of self esteem within this study group. Moreover, the published data from the secondary sources also will be compared with the data collected from the primary sources in order to make a final conclusion. Literature Review Dwyer and Peters (2004) reported a 98% increase in student’s self confidence after just one year stay at abroad (Lewin, p.139). Self confidence of a person will increase only through interactions with others. Interactions with others (Domestic people or foreign people) will help the person to identify the merits and demerits of others. Based on that, the person can make necessary changes in his attitudes and life philosophies so that he can develop a matured personality. Interactions with foreign culture will help him to compare the life styles, beliefs and attitudes of different cultures. For example, consider a person from an underdeveloped country studying in a developed country like United Sates. He will get new ideas about the technological, social, cultural and educational development. When he returns his home he will be a more confident person to face any challenges in his domestic country. Juhasz, et al (1987) in their studies have found that students who have spent time on abroad for educational purpose had changed considerably in their perceptions of their ability to perform specific behaviours. They interpreted this as a positive outcome reflecting increased self-understanding, objectivity, and a more realistic evaluation of ones own capabilities and behaviours (Juhasz, et al). Self evaluation helps a person to develop self esteem. Overseas stay helps a person to compare his traditions, attitudes and beliefs with that of the foreign culture which will result in the modifications of the above qualities. Lewin (2009) has mentioned that as a result of the foreign stay, a person will increase his; self awareness, self confidence, self esteem, adaptability, persistence, strength, risk taking attitude, relationships with others. Moreover he will be forced to step out from his traditional comfort zone (Lewin, p.158). Moreover, Cengage (2003), has argued that a student knowingly or unknowingly increases his awareness about himself, develop greater confidence, independence cross cultural skills and self reliance after his studies abroad (Cengage, p.10). The domestic stay will help a person only to think and act within the narrow frame work of the domestic culture. On the other hand the overseas stay will help him to fine tune or polish his ideas, beliefs and attitudes. For example, many of the Middle Eastern youths who have completed their studies in US or UK universities have changed their beliefs about dress codes and traditions. Traditions, customs and superstitions associated with religious fundamentalism always prevent the proper development of self esteem. On the other hand, foreign stay will help a person to come out from traditions and customs so that he can formulate a sound philosophy about life which will definitely increase his self esteem. Peterson’s (2008) has pointed out that even many US students choose direct enrolment in foreign universities for a semester or year (Peterson’s, p.5). There are many people who believe that studying abroad means studying in US or UK alone. They have the false belief that the objective of studying abroad is to get quality education alone. On the other hand they are unaware of the fact that even US students enrols in foreign universities for a semester or year, not because of lack of quality education there, but to get more awareness about another culture. The above fact clearly suggests that the aim of foreign education is not limited to quality alone. Foreign education helps a person to interact effectively in a multicultural environment which is necessary for the development of personality, self awareness, self confidence and self esteem. “More and more US universities encourage internships and give credit for them alone or in combination with course work taken abroad” (Peterson’s, p.6) Rubio, (2007) has argued that the awareness of a second language increases the self esteem (Rubio). The knowledge of a second language other than the native language will help a person to develop more confidence. For example, a Chinese person who knows only the Chinese language will exhibit less self confidence than another Chinese person who knows English, while communicating with foreigners. The awareness of English or a second language thus help a person to interact more freely and effectively in the current globalized world which will definitely increases his self esteem. Students need a global perspective to succeed in the current globalized culture. For example, a Canadian student can learn a second language by studying Spanish in Spain, French in France, or choose academic programs in English speaking countries such as Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom (Two Worlds United Student Exchange Program Foundation). The opportunity to understand a foreign culture helps the students to develop self reliance as a student and a traveller. Conclusions Self esteem of a person will definitely increase after his studies in a foreign country. Apart from getting a quality education, a person will improve his self awareness, self confidence and self esteem through studying abroad. The knowledge about foreign culture, traditions, attitudes, beliefs etc will help a person to come out from his traditional frameworks and to polish his attitudes and beliefs which will enhance his personality. Works Cited 1. Cengage. 2003. “Study Abroad for Dummies”. Publisher: For Dummies (October 24, 2003) 2. Juhasz, Anne McCreary; Walker, Aldona M.1987. “The Impact of Study Abroad on University Students Perceptions of Self”. 14 January 2010. 3. Lewin, Ross. 2009. “The Handbook of Practice and Research in Study Abroad: Higher Education and the Quest for Global Citizenship”. Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (May 14, 2009) 4. Peterson’s. 2008. “Study Abroad 2008”. Publisher: Petersons; 15 edition (December 18, 2007) 5. Rubio, Fernando. 2007. “Self-Esteem and Foreign Language Learning”. 14 January 2010. 6. “Two Worlds United Student Exchange Program Foundation”. 14 January 2010. Read More