Study Abroad: Is It Right for You?

Are you thinking about studying in the USA as an international student? Trying to decide between studying abroad or in your home country? Well, you’re in the right place!

There are so many things to consider when making a choice about where to study—for me, each decision to come to the US to study or work came after a long period of umm-ing and ahh-ing. Before I had my first study abroad experience, I had only ever visited America as a tourist; I didn’t really know what it would be like to live there.

If you are in a similar position, it’s a good idea to take a good look at your options and learn more about what to expect before diving in. This blog will be one place to do that, but don’t stop there! Talk to friends and colleagues who have studied abroad, or if you have specific colleges in mind you wish to attend, try sending them an email to ask if you can be put in touch with a current international student who would be willing to talk about their experience.

Studying in a different country, and particularly in America, can be an invaluable opportunity for personal development. Benefits can include:

• Experiencing a different culture. Living in another country opens your eyes to an alternative way of life, and allows you to meet people with very different experiences from your own. Learning doesn’t have to be limited to the classroom!

• Becoming more independent and confident in yourself. However much you plan in advance, moving to a different country and tackling a whole new education system on your own can be scary. But realising what you are able to achieve with a little bit of courage can be a big boost for your self-esteem.

• Boosting your professional prospects. Foreign experience can make you stand out from a crowd. I have found in job interviews that employers are very interested to hear about my work and study experience abroad, as you can offer a fresh point of view and new ideas.

 

But here’s the thing: it might not be the right option for everybody. Make sure to also take the following points into consideration before making your final choice.

• Cost. Tuition in the USA is some of the most expensive in the world. Even if you are offered a scholarship that will cover some or all of the academic fees, there are other less obvious costs to think about, such as the price of living and the working restrictions placed on international students. It is important to be confident that you can afford to study abroad, as the US government requires you to show proof of sufficient funds to support your studies before they will issue a student visa.

• Distance from home. This may be your first real time away from your family, and it can be a big step to travel to a place where you are suddenly placed into unfamiliar situations without the opportunity to go home to visit regularly. You will not be able to avoid missing some family events and milestones, especially if you will be studying over a number of years. Can you accept this? It was one of the hardest aspects of studying abroad that I had to come to terms with, and still now I regret having to miss birthdays and weddings because I am an ocean away from my family.

• Language barriers. Immersing yourself in a language is a great way to improve your skills, but is important to be able to understand your professors and fellow students to avoid falling behind in class. If you think that your current level of English will affect your ability to make the most of your US study experience, it might be a good idea to consider taking an English language program first, or studying in a language that is more familiar to you.

 

Try making a list of pros and cons, and see what the results are. If you’ve gone over your options and you think that studying in America is the best decision for you, congratulations! You’re in for a life-changing experience. If you have come to the conclusion that another option fits your situation better, then that’s OK too. The important thing at this point is to think first and act second.

Are you in the middle of making your choice, or came to a decision recently? Leave a comment and share what’s on your pros and cons list!