When applying to college or considering the future, many students dismiss the idea of studying abroad. However, this is something that could possibly alter a person’s life for the better or worse.
Pros
- Culture
- Studying abroad can allow people to take in a whole new culture, opening them to so many different and new opportunities that they wouldn’t receive if they stayed in the same place throughout their entire education. Exposing themselves to a new culture not only allows them to learn more about others, but it can also lead them to discover themselves, which is a problem for many high schoolers and college students who are not sure what they want to do with their lives.
- Friends
- Wherever a person may go, studying abroad will always lead to lifelong connections. Meeting people who share the same interests and passions as their own can open their world completely, as well as make the experience an enjoyable and memorable one.
Cons
- Costs
- Trips like these can be expensive. High costs of studying abroad can be one of the main reasons why a student cannot travel. However, there are often scholarships available for students who want or need them, which can be a great way to travel.
- Homesickness
- Being away from home is not easy. For many, even taking a week-long vacation can be too much, with a strong urge to return before the week is over. Not only is studying abroad going to be much longer than just a vacation, students would also have to leave behind all of their friends and family. This is difficult to do, and the adjustment period that comes from being homesick may be something that they do not want to endure.
Overall, it’s important for people to consider traveling throughout their education career. These opportunities do not appear often, and students would largely benefit from studying abroad.
