Deciding to study abroad can be a tough decision to make. Sometimes, the study abroad opportunity for some students means a total relocation as they end up starting a new life in their study abroad location. The thought of leaving your home country, family, and friends to start a new life in a new location where nobody or only a few people know is not as easy as it seems. However, this also does not mean that there are no benefits attached to studying abroad. Change and growth are two things that are not easy but are necessary. As a student who is determined to thrive as a professional, you will have to make up your mind to take the step despite how uneasy it can be.
In the 2021/2022 academic year, the United States recorded 945,519 students from 200 places of origin studying in the country. This makes it the top destination for international students. Additionally, more than 630,000 students enrolled in schools in the United Kingdom while more than 550,00 students enrolled in schools in Canada. France, Australia, Russia, Germany, China Japan come next on the list. The reason for the numbers is not far-fetched as there are various benefits students get to enjoy when they choose to study outside their home countries.
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Benefits of Studying Abroad
As stated earlier, there are different benefits international students stand to gain when they travel abroad. In this article, we’ll explore five of these benefits but before we proceed, do not forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more updates.
1. Academic Advantages
International students have a wide variety of course options to choose from. Students also have access to carry out in-depth research and attend training to improve their skills and make them employable. Additionally, it does not stop there some programs allow international students to learn about other courses at the same time. Also, considering the top destinations in the statistics mentioned above, these countries house some of the best universities in the world according to the QS world ranking. The United States and the United Kingdom being the top destinations for international students both houses universities that rank top 10 globally. In terms of infrastructure, conducive environments, research opportunities, and many more, these countries have it all, hence, endearing international scholars to them. Students who want to major in a more specialized field will also find studying abroad advantageous as the facilities are available.
When it comes to the cost of studying in these universities, there are various scholarship options available to students to help reduce the cost of their education.
Related: 30 Scholarships And Fellowships For International Scholars
2. Cultural Enrichment
Not all classrooms have four walls. As an international student, you would not end up only bagging a journalism, accounting, or cybersecurity degree. At the end of your studies abroad, you’ll also learn the culture of the people in your host country and the culture of other international students from different parts. In the 2021/2022 academic year in the United States, the country recorded over 290,000 Chinese students, 199,182 Indian students, over 40,000 Korean students, over 14,000 students from Brazil, Mexico, and Nigeria, over 5,000 students from Italy, Hong Kong, and Kuwait and the list goes on.
This goes to show that studying abroad exposes you to other people’s cultures and their different diversities. You get to see the world from a broader perspective, you get to learn about other people’s language, you get to try out their food, and also learn about their way of life. Additionally, according to former United States President, Barrack Obama, “Simple exchanges can break walls down between us, for when people come together and speak to one another and share a common experience, then their common humanity is revealed.“ You get to see things from a diverse perspective and appreciate divergent views.
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3. Personal Growth
Moreover, cultural enrichment and academic advantages are not the only benefits international students stand to enjoy when they study abroad. Studying abroad also enhances a student’s personal growth. The ability to adapt and thrive in changing situations is an important skill everyone needs to learn in life. Paul Lutus posits that “The most successful people are those who accept and adapt to constant change. This adaptability requires a degree of flexibility and humility most people can’t manage.” Adaptability is key to thriving in the world be it in the education sphere or otherwise.
Furthermore, choosing to study abroad as a student will also enhance not only your ability to adapt to a new environment and changing situations, but will also teach you independence, self-reliance, increased confidence, resilience, and the list goes on. You will also get to know about new teaching methods and learning perspectives that might be different from the way it’s done in your home country.
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4. Career Opportunities
This is arguably one of the major reasons students make the difficult decision of choosing to study abroad. Having an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) or the University of Cambridge or Oxford University sure looks good on your CV. Without having to speak a word, that already says a lot because of the prestige these schools have and their global ranking. Graduates who choose to study abroad, especially at renowned universities are highly sought after by employers in the labour market.
Additionally, as a result of the internship opportunities that some courses and scholarships offer, students can network and then have access to job opportunities abroad. While it is possible to get a job from anywhere in the world, being physically present, gives you a better advantage. Not only do you get to network, if you’re a scholarship or a fellowship student, but you also get to attend conferences, relate with stakeholders, and collaborate with other scholars to develop solutions to problems. This can go a long way in enhancing the outlook of your portfolio thereby providing better career opportunities for you.
5. Adventure and Exploration
Well, here’s the fun part of traveling abroad. You can’t be in a new country for a year or more and not decide to explore your new surroundings. This exploration in itself is both educational and entertaining. Also, if you’re studying in cities that happen to be recognized tourist centers, like France, Australia, China, Switzerland, New Zealand, and so on, you can decide to spare a weekend to explore the place.
Also, studying abroad will not only allow you to transform into a mini tourist, but you will also get to make friends from various countries, depending on how diverse your study abroad destination is. You get to make lifelong memories that will positively influence the way you see the world. Also, you get to see how beautiful the world we live in is.
Read also: Scholarships For Students Pursuing Careers In Business And Finance
Conclusion
The whole study abroad experience is much more than just bagging a degree or receiving a certificate. It is indeed a wholesome experience for students because the benefits are not just restricted to academics alone, personal growth and development, expansion of your social network, getting to see things from a different perspective, and learning new things are just some of the benefits students stand to gain when they take the big decision and decide to take the opportunity to study abroad.
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Do you desire to start a career in STEM? The first thing is to pursue a degree in STEM. Wondering how to go about pursuing a postgraduate degree in STEM courses abroad? We can guide you through your journey and make your dreams come true. Reach out to us at EdXtra to access opportunities that will help you on your journey.
Enrolling in the top universities in the world can increase your chances with employers. Unfortunately, it can be quite expensive to study abroad due to the current economic crisis. But this shouldn’t limit you as there are other options you can explore to enhance your career.
MPower Finance and Prodigy Finance are some of the best student loan providers for international students. They also do not require any cosigner or collateral before application. At EdXtra Associates, we can help you with your loan application process. We also provide educational consultancy services for international students to help make your journey easier and faster. You can reach out to us, as we’d love to guide you through this journey.
