There is a school of thought among educationists that international exchange programs can be beneficial to teenagers at school. In my opinion, despite inherent drawbacks associated with living abroad, youngsters still receive more advantages than disadvantages.
On the one hand, living in another country at a young age poses challenges. The first barrier is financial burdens related to travelling, study, and accommodation. While their peers can fully focus on their studies, international students may have to take on part-time jobs to cover daily expenses and tuition. The second barrier is the emotional challenges to overcome. For example, teenagers may experience homesickness, culture shock, and loneliness. In fact, living away from family and friends means they have to adapt to a new culture, form new social relationships, do household chores, and learn a new language, all of which they have to handle on their own. Due to the aforementioned disadvantages, those who intend to go on an international exchange visit need to be well-prepared both financially and mentally to make the most of the foreign experience.
On the other hand, there are good reasons why studying abroad is still an attractive option for youngsters. Firstly, they are given opportunities to learn about another culture and acquire a new language. This exchange experience can help youngsters to develop their social skills, adaptability, perseverance, and appreciation for diversity and their own culture. Secondly, by studying and working in another country, students can have a broader access to employment. As a matter of fact, this is often a good starting point to obtain work permit and resident visa for those who want to live and work in developed countries. For example, Canada has attracted millions of foreign workers who initially moved to the country for study. These immigrants have had a much higher quality of life and contributed to their new home.
In conclusion, in spite of the financial and mental challenges awaiting, exchange programs can enrich students’ experience and open up more opportunities for personal growth and career prospects.