Why do so many young people leave their comfortable homes and study in a completely foreign place? Clearly, in recent years, their numbers have increased a lot. Some people argue that there are many disadvantages of studying abroad, such as high expenses and adaptation problems to a new environment. They have a point. However, (I think / I believe) studying abroad is highly beneficial for three main reasons.
First of all, studying abroad enables students to reach more information. When people study abroad, they have access to knowledge and facilities which are not available in their home country. For example, they can find the opportunity to study in fully-equipped laboratories and libraries. Moreover, people who study abroad can find a wider range of courses than those offered in their country’s schools and universities. This helps them gain a wider perspective and expand their world-view.
The second benefit is that they learn a foreign language. People who study abroad are constantly exposed to the local language. At school, they have to communicate with their friends and lecturers in the local language. Outside school, they have to use the local language to socialise and do their daily chores (paying bills, shopping, etc.). All of this facilitates the language learning process, so they generally become proficient in the language soon. In short, studying abroad contributes to learning a foreign language to a great extent.
The third benefit is becoming independent. When individuals study abroad, they may face great challenges and difficulties. As they can’t get much help from their parents, they learn to overcome these challenges on their own. In addition, studying abroad gives people a chance to be self-sufficient. When people are away from their home and their families, they have to deal with many responsibilities such as housework, shopping and travel arrangements. Handling all these alone in a foreign country helps them become self-supporting individuals.
To sum up, studying abroad is highly beneficial for students because they gain access to wider range of information and facilities, learn a foreign language and improve their personality. This is a once in a lifetime experience, so students shouldn’t miss the chance to study abroad.