The pros and cons of studying in a foreign country

Many people dream of studying abroad. Whether still a student or currently working, many people would immediately jump at the opportunity to study in a different country, if the opportunity arose.

The idea of ​​studying abroad can be very exciting. And students can really reap a lot of benefits when they decide to take and complete a course in a foreign country. However, studying abroad also has some disadvantages.

If you are also thinking of studying abroad, you would do well to consider the various pros and cons that come with this option before making your final decision. And below we show you some of the notable advantages and disadvantages of studying in another country that you should take into account:

advantage

• You have the opportunity to go on an exciting adventure. This is one of the most desirable benefits of studying abroad: you get to stay in a different and strange country and explore all over the place. You have the opportunity to see and visit new tourist places, try new cuisine and participate in new activities that you have never tried before.

• You will achieve a higher level of independence and self-sufficiency. When you study in a country where you don’t know anyone, you will learn to be more independent and trust yourself. This means that you will learn to wash your own clothes or cook, since you no longer live with your mother. And you will learn to trust yourself more while you are in a foreign country.

• You have the opportunity to make new friends. You will be able to expand your social circle when you study abroad. You can create lasting friendships with other local students and your classmates who also come from different countries.

• You will learn more about a different culture. In addition to the formal education you will receive, you will learn about new customs and a different way of living. You can even learn a new language and some other skills that can help you a lot in the future.

Cons

• You will be away from your home and family environment. Living in a different country will definitely test your limits. You will face new cuisines, new ways of life and new customs, new people and even language barriers. All of this can be very difficult and stressful to deal with and if you are not strong, you could give in to all these difficulties and end up dropping out of the course you signed up for in this foreign country.

• Expenses. If you are not careful when choosing the course you will take and the country where you will study, all this effort will cost you. Course fees can be expensive and the general cost of living in a different country can also be expensive. As such, it is important that you give some thought to the course you want to take and the country where you will study.

• Ambiguity with your postgraduate plans. After completing your course, you may be feeling indecisive about your future plans. Should you return to your home country to seek employment? Or should you try your luck in the country where you completed your course? If you decide to stay in the country where you just graduated, keep in mind that there will be residency and work criteria or requirements that you will need to meet as soon as you are no longer a full-time student.