Pursuing higher degree overseas is becoming one of the popular ideas among graduates nowadays. Although there are a number of merits in studying abroad, some drawbacks are worth considering.
Going overseas for further degree on education might be beneficial as it gives students reasons to understand and respect other people’s culture and customs. Living abroad while studying in a certain period of time enables students to integrate in the host country’s society and therefore widen their knowledge of cultural diversities. As taking part in society also means to interact and to communicate, students who do study overseas may learn different types of approach in communicating with foreigners. Moreover, the students, at the same time, can also learn about variety of cultural features other countries have and how to respect them. For example, Indonesian students may find that calling someone by simply mentioning their name in Western culture a bit strange. However, as they experience it themselve in their daily bases, they would come to an understanding that it is a part of Western culture that is needed to be respected as well.
On the other hand, pursuing higher education in different nation may have some drawbacks when it comes to dealing with distance and different range in the cost of living. Living far apart from family and colleague may give another challenge in handling things in life. Although some people may find it undemanding, there are some other people that might feel arduous to quickly mingle in new circumstance and environment. Moreover, the different range in the cost of living when students come to their host country might also pose some difficulties to adapt. They need to adjust the way they manage their financial resources to fit all of their needs with different range of living cost.
In conclusion, going abroad for pursuing higher studies can be beneficial in terms of widening knowledge and fostering cultural understanding. However, there are some issues related to handling things in a completely new life setting and adjusting the cost of living that can be worth considering as some drawbacks. Therefore, weighing the merits against the demerits on pursuing studies overseas is necessary.