The Pros and Cons of Studying Abroad and Studying in the Home Country - Essay Example

STUDYING ABROAD It is probably better to study in your home country rather than study abroad because of the difficulties a encounters livingand studying in a different culture. In which extend do you agree or disagree with the statement? Your name………………………….… College/University…..………………………… Date: ………………………… Introduction Despite severe economic challenges and academic and cultural differences between countries, evidences show that students worldwide ever more pursue educational opportunities from foreign countries. Even though students experience a number of critical situations of different environments, teaching styles, campus cultures and language variances, they find it wise to go for foreign education and they are encouraged by governments and financial institutions in many countries by providing financial assistance as well. It has been a matter of debate that studying in the home country is better than studying abroad due to the difficulties a student encounters in living and studying in a different culture. This research paper presents a detailed analysis on the pros and cons of studying abroad and studying in the home country. This piece of research work finds that studying aboard, even though there are cultural and academic difficulties a student experiences, is better than staying and studying in home country. Facts and Figures According to a BBC report, a large number of students are going abroad, but they choose English-speaking countries. Same time, the number of students studying form European countries has fallen over the past year. A majority of students prefer studying abroad, but lack of money and language barriers were stopping them (bbc.co.uk, 2004). UK and USA have always been top host countries for international students. Open Doors study found that an all time high of 671,616 international students studied at US colleges and Universities in the 2008- 2009 academic year and same time number of US students studying abroad have been increased by 8.5% to a record high of 262,416. UK, Italy, Spain and France are the major host countries for the US students. These evidences show that ‘study abroad’ is a growing trend despite the fact that it requires huge spending and students face difficulties associated with education, campus and cultures. Study Abroad Generally speaking, students find it difficult to live abroad and to adjust with cultural as well as campus differences. Being at home country, students experience ease with education programs, academic procedures, campus environments and living conditions. Barron (2006) reported that many students who went abroad for studying, especially in European countries, have turned to complain that education at campus is difficult because teaching staffs may not be found, or they are excessively formal, excessively casual or downright unhelpful. In such cases, it may be the reasons that a different teaching method is to be expected and students have more responsibilities. Though it is difficult to study from foreign countries, most research found an increase in students’ intercultural awareness and tolerance despite wide programmatic variations in kind, duration and location. Study abroad appears to be an effective tool for promoting positive attitudes toward multicultural and cultural pluralism. It will lead to ‘world-mindedness’ (Pascarella and Terenzini, 2005). Arguments against Study Abroad 1- Culture Shock: McKeown (2009) identified Culture Shock as a problem associated with psychological concept that can be seen in those students who go for foreign education. He (2009) argued that students who go abroad for studying and adjust with new environments might never truly understand the culture they are immersed. Learning about a culture is different from reacting and adjusting to the same. Culture Shock is psychological feeling that a student who went abroad experiences when he submerges in to a new culture and also while he comes back to the home country. Carter (2004) emphasized that the culture shock that a student experienced when he first moved abroad will be reversed and he will need some readjustments as when he moved. 2- Different Environment: Learning in a totally different environment is an academic challenge. According to Barron (2006), learning in foreign countries becomes a difficult task because students feel excessive formality, or difficult curricula etc. 3- Spending: Many students prefer going global for education, but, money matters and they remain at home country. Costs of studying abroad will be higher than that in the home country due to the accommodation and tuition expenses and it will be very high in a country where cost of living is high (Barron, 2006 and Peterson’s, 2005). 4- Away from family and friends Carter (2004) argued that students who go abroad for studying being away from family and friends, in a strange and new place, with mixed emotions of accommodation and environments and with frustration of new systems, can cause some confusions and tensions. 5- Discrimination and Terrorism Terrorism and discrimination on grounds of nationality, race, class and religion have recently become severe challenges on students going global. In some countries, students feel discriminated on grounds of nationality and religion. For instance, Indian students face discrimination issues in Australian campuses (Mercer, 2009) Arguments for Study Abroad 1- Learning a new Culture McKeown (2009) argued that study abroad will enhance students attitudes towards multicultural perspectives through a number of workshops and multicultural supports and dialogues. The research studies have proved that students going global turn to think more positively towards multicultural perspectives. 2- Learning New Languages One of the main reasons of study abroad is to enhance their language as they are adjusted to a situation where all speak a different language. Evidences show that UK and USA students prefer Spain, Italy and France due to the overwhelming opportunities of learning new languages. Rosenthal (2000) argued that ‘study abroad’ programs can helps students improve their second language that in turn fill the gaps for multilingual professionals in various fields. 3- Meeting different people and varying opportunities Going global for education is an easy way to explore the horizons of academic and professional opportunities as well as meeting amazing people around the campus. Pellegrino Aveni (2005) noted that study abroad provide students with innumerable opportunities to practice and learn newer skills with new experiences. 4- Learning the World Study abroad provides students with opportunities to travel and thus to learn about the cultures, community practices and academic situations of other countries Barron, (2006). 5- Wide choice of study options Students who prefer UK, USA and other developed countries think of elite education system with highly advanced technology use and wide choice of study options etc. Conclusion I strongly disagree with the argument that ‘study in the home country is better than study abroad due to the difficulties associated with ‘study abroad’ option. Even though, there are difficulties that students face when going abroad for studying, they have greater opportunities to become aware of multicultural and more likely to be high skilled and experienced. There are pros and cons for study abroad, but, it is more likely that study abroad can enhance student’s awareness of various cultures, knowledge, skills, tolerance, acceptance of others and so forth. As discussed by Pascarella and Terenzini (2005), students who go for foreign education show positive attitudes towards multicultural perspectives and they show ‘world-mindednesses. They argued that these students have greater tolerance and acceptance of others (quoted from Laubscher, 1994) and increased likelihood of perceiving the people from other national groups (quoted from Drew, Meyer and Peregrine, 1996). Study abroad also increased students’ interest in international, economic, political and cross cultural issues. I strongly recommend that study abroad will be a wise option for students who are able to spend for it. It is mainly because, students who pursue foreign education have found having more ‘world-mindedness’. By bearing the risks and facing the difficulties in living in different culture while studying abroad for a shorter period of two or three years, they can explore new opportunities of academic and professional career that in turn help them form and maintain a better future for long term. References Barron (2006), Get Set for Study Abroad, Illustrated Edition, Edinburgh University Press bbc.co.uk (2004), Fewer UK students study in Europe, bbc.co.uk, Retrieved 07/03/2010 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/3540994.stm Carter H.R (2004), The Essential Guide for Study Abroad in the United Kingdom, University Press of America McKeown J.S (2009), The first time effect: the impact of study abroad on college student intellectual development, SUNY Press Mercer P (2009), Australias Indian students vow action, BBC news Sydney, Retrieved 07/03/10 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8097526.stm Open Doors (2009), Open Doors Report Shows Record High Numbers of International Students in United States; Americans Increasingly Study Abroad, Retrieved 07/03/10 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com Pascarella E.T and Terenzini P.T (2005), How College Affects Students, Volume 2, A third Decade of Research, John Wiley and Sons Pellegrino Aveni V.A (2005), Study abroad and second language use: constructing the self, Cambridge University Press Petersons (2005), Petersons Study Abroad, 13th Illustrated Edition, Petersons Rosenthal J.W (2000), Handbook of undergraduate second language education, Illustrated Edition, Routledge Read More