Whatever the motivation, it is undeniable that living in another country is the dream of many people. Therefore, studying abroad can be a great opportunity to fulfill that desire and, at the same time, to gain better and better positions in the job market.
Regardless of whether it is a first degree, a master’s degree or even a doctorate, studying abroad opens many doors and acts as a great differentiator in any curriculum.
However, for most interested parties, there is great fear in taking this step. The fear of the unknown and the insecurity of packing up and moving to another country-albeit temporarily – is quite common.
With that in mind, we write this post, with the aim of showing you the pros and cons of studying at a university in another country. This way, it is much easier to decide whether or not it is worth making this important decision.
What are the main cons of studying abroad?
Before talking about the main advantages of studying abroad, we will mention some of the cons that accompany making this very important decision.
It is worth noting that this information is not presented to discourage you from playing this new opportunity. The objective is simply to alert you to relevant points that must be taken into account for the right choice. Check out the main obstacles faced by those who want to study abroad.
Slightly higher costs
Unfortunately, quality education is not cheap. Whether at home or abroad, the costs of a good university should not be disregarded in good planning.
It is essential that the student who intends to venture out in search of a university in another country plans in advance and informs himself about the fees and costs he will have with the institution of choice.
Adaptation difficulties
Changes can be incredible. The opportunity to get to know new places, cultures and people is extremely enriching and can change anyone’s life. However, certain changes can also be very difficult.
Adaptation does not come easily for everyone. Living in a completely different culture and adapting to the lifestyle of unknown people is a challenge.
In these cases, it is important to consider whether this is the right time to embark with packed bags to another nation. Remember that you will spend a good amount of time in this new reality and that adaptation is essential for a complete on-site experience.
Some time away from home
If not so long ago, the dynamism in society and in countries was already high, imagine today! With the advancement of technology and the growth of the internet, information is transmitted very quickly and changes happen quickly.
So it is a little difficult to keep track of all the changes in real time and they also reach the professional field. In some cases, staying away from a place you are looking to work in the future can be a disadvantage and leave you unused when you return.
So confirm if your area can “expect” your international experience. In the vast majority of cases, it is possible to make up for the delay when you return and accompany the other professionals, even more considering all the baggage of knowledge that will come with you on the trip.
Dealing with homesickness
Finally, one of the biggest cons and definitely the biggest hurdle faced by all those who spend time abroad is dealing with homesickness. Staying away from home, family, friends, pets and even the city we live in is by no means an easy task.
Fortunately, nowadays, we have technology in our favor to reduce the entire geographical distance a little. In this way, it is possible to keep in touch almost in real time with the people you love and stay on top of everything that happens in their lives.
What are the advantages of studying abroad?
Now that you know some of the main challenges and obstacles faced by those who decide to study abroad and have checked out some tips to deal with these situations, how about getting to know the advantages and benefits of making this choice?
Knowing both sides of the coin is the best way to make an accurate and conscious decision, as it allows for an impartial weighing of all the implications that a change of this magnitude can have on our lives, both in the short and long term. Come on?
Gain international experience
The first advantage may seem pretty obvious, but it’s still important to mention it. International experiences are full of discoveries and novelties and are, without a doubt, a great way to grow personally and professionally.
Not by chance, living in another country means immersing yourself in a completely different culture and seeing a little of the history and experience of other places up close. These experiences will become memories that will be a part of your entire life and will change the way you see the world.
By studying abroad, it is possible to gain experience in several aspects, both personal (meeting new people, making new friends) and professionally. After all, you will experience the daily life of professionals in your field in another country and take all this knowledge back to your nation.
Study at the best universities in the world
It is undeniable that the educational institutions abroad provide a privileged education to their domestic and international students and have several advantages.
One of them, and perhaps the main one, concerns the entirety of the education provided. In the corridors of these institutions and in their classrooms, professionals from all over the planet walk and teach. Together, they form a differentiated and completely unique faculty.
In addition, these institutions are among the best universities in the world, a fact proven year after year through lists specialized in the subject, such as the QS Ranking. In Oceania, for example, we can mention the Australian National University (27th place), the University of Melbourne (37th place) and the University of Auckland (85th place).
Open doors to an international career
Is your goal to study and work abroad in the future? If a definite change is in your plans, sandwich graduation might be the right option for you! This modality seeks to enable the student to later exercise his/her function in another country.
Participate in campus life
Have you ever wondered what everyday life is like on a foreign university campus? Often, when we watch films produced abroad, we wonder about this aspect. When you do an exchange to study at an educational institution in another country, it is possible to check this closely.
As well as the point where we mentioned the multiculturalism present in the faculty of such faculties, it is possible to mention all the diversity found on their campuses. There, everyday life is full of contact between different cultures and learning from other people is continuous.
This contact is a great way to transfer ideas and ideals, favoring in an inestimable way the academic and professional life of all those involved. Furthermore, campus life is one of the factors responsible for gains in personal maturation.
Possibility of joining different activities
For faculties abroad, the formation of a student does not only take place in the classroom and other aspects are taken into account, such as their personal development. These institutions see the importance of complete growth for the formation of good professionals.
Therefore, in these universities, it is common to find incentives to participate in differentiated activities, which can range from academic research to joining projects aimed at serving the community. Thus, you develop several skills that go far beyond your area of study. Nice, no?
Personal maturation
Still talking about the personal gains brought by an international experience, we can mention personal maturation. When we are children, we are introduced to a completely new world and we mature from our day-to-day experiences and with the help of the adults who live with us, right?
In a way, it is possible to draw a parallel between young children and iterational students, regardless of their age. Those who decide to study abroad must deal with completely new situations on a daily basis and learn to live in a different environment.
With this experience, the student gains autonomy, independence, gets to know each other more deeply, makes new friends, cultivates new interests and comes into contact with new ideas. At the end of the course, it is possible to say that each exchange student is a different person and much more mature than he was when he entered college.
Chance to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities
In most foreign institutions, the grids are very dynamic and the student is allowed to make several chairs before choosing a definitive area.
In addition, even after choosing, subjects from “other courses” are allowed, provided that certain requirements are met, which vary from university to university. In any case, teaching abroad allows for more customization of grades and provides a much more dynamic and broader experience for students.
Possibility to master the language
Did you think that the parallels drawn between international students and children in the learning phase ended? You got it wrong! But, first of all, take it easy, because this comparison is not intended to diminish its value, but to show how much there is to learn and earn when studying abroad.
While fluency in the target language is an indispensable requirement to attend college in another country, it is undeniable that even the most fluent of students will learn a lot about that language on their trip. After all, as with our mother tongue, learning is continuous and happens with immersion.
So, as much as you are fluent, one thing is for sure: at the end of your course, you will master this language in a way you never thought possible and you will know all the details, slang and tricks of the language, communicating almost like a native. Even courses such as Business English can improve your knowledge.
Developing an excellent network
Networking is the name given to networks of contacts created between colleagues and professionals in the same area. With them, it is possible to obtain job opportunities through referrals and further enrich the possibilities for professional growth.
Any type of networking is valid, but imagine the power of a network of contacts with professionals from all over the world. This makes it much easier to get references for further research or even a placement in an international vacancy. In addition, you always stay on top of the news that are happening in other parts of the planet.
As a result, studying abroad can be the best way to create bonds with qualified professionals, who are a reference in their respective areas and who work in the best institutions on the planet. You can’t measure the importance of such an opportunity, can you?
