Is Studying Abroad Worth It?

It’s easy to be book-smart. But this experience goes well beyond that.

Studying abroad isn’t just about studying. It’s a cultural, environmental and academic experience that essentially shapes you as a person. It’s challenging to leave everything behind, and it takes some serious guts to do it. But, you know the saying, no guts, no glory. Going abroad really does open so many new doors.

Here’s what we cover:

• New Culture

• New Language

• Appreciation for Home

• Career Opportunities

• Personal Growth & Life Experience

• What is Studying Abroad?

• The Benefits of Studying Abroad

• Why Should You Study Abroad?

So, is studying abroad worth it? Let’s dive in.

New Culture

Not only do you get to see the world, but you also get to immerse yourself in a new language and culture altogether. You are exposed to different customs, traditions, morals, ways of living, etc.

Initially, there can be a big culture clash. But that confrontation is so crucial because you start to put your sense of reality into question.

Eventually, you gain a broader understanding of other cultures and, with that, your own.

One by one, you’ll put pieces of the puzzle together. And as you move forward with that newfound philosophy of cultural appreciation, you’ll know in your heart that studying abroad is worth it.

Cultural immersion is one of the major benefits of studying abroad. Some of the advantages of cultural immersion are:

• Increased cultural awareness and understanding

• Improved language skills

• Increased intercultural communication skills

• Greater openness and tolerance

• Life-long memories and personal growth

I personally found this article on how culture influences the brain’s processes, such as thinking, judgement, and behaviour, truly interesting. If you’re intrigued by the psychological impact of culture, I recommend checking out this link!

New Language

I moved to Spain not knowing a single word of Spanish… Apart from the cuss words and basic ‘hola’. But after studying Italian in Australia for ten years, I believed I could pick up Spanish easily… And boy, was I naive.

The first few months in Barcelona were a literal slap in the face. My prior decision to wing it put me on a pedestal—and not the good kind. Avoiding brushing up on essential Spanish vocabulary before departing had thrown me into the deep end.

But hey, you live, and you learn, right?

If you’re planning to move overseas, let alone learn a language during your time abroad, there are a handful of honest tips that I’ve pieced together over these past few years.

Studying abroad provides you with a plethora of opportunities to communicate with eager, native locals who are looking for a language exchange.

These newfound connections can help you learn the language better. And in the process of doing a language exchange, you’re likely to make new friends too.

If you’re going to be learning a new language when you move overseas, be sure to keep an open mind. Don’t take yourself too seriously! It’s good to laugh at yourself when you make a mistake because, at the end of the day, it’s a process.

I truly felt that studying abroad was worth it when I reached a banter level at work. I’ll never forget that feeling when they all laughed at my joke…

So, how fast can you learn a language abroad?

It wavers subject to where you live, who you live with, your job, your friends, your motivation, how much effort you’re willing to pour in, and how much time you’re ready to dedicate and, sometimes, sacrifice. If you’ve got the will, there will be a way.

One tip is to surround yourself with people who only speak that language. Put yourself in the deep end, and watch what happens. Sure, it might be challenging initially, but you’ll begin moulding and mending your environment after a while. And the more you learn, the more you realise that studying abroad is worth it.

Check out this in-depth post on Learning a Language Abroad.

Appreciation for ‘Home’

You feel a sense of gratitude for ‘home’, what it really means. Along with that comes a deeper level of appreciation for your friends and family.

Studying abroad allows you to encounter people of all types of backgrounds. You get to learn about their culture, language, and their diverse beliefs about life.

Before I left Australia, I was your typical millennial caught up in my first-world problems. Making friends from places like Africa and South America made me realise how lucky I was to grow up in a first-world country. I had access to clean water and medical and health facilities, the streets were safe, and I never feared having a gun held to my head.

Learning about my newfound friends’ lives sparked a genuine sense of appreciation within. I began to shift the perspective that I used to have, and this new angle filled me with gratitude.

Studying abroad can influence your sense of home in different ways, including:

• Widening perspective

• Developing a new sense of belonging

• Appreciation for home culture

• Homesickness

Career Opportunities

Studying abroad increases your level of employability and opens up more career opportunities.

To employers, your time abroad shows that you have developed critical thinking, communication and transferable skills.

Topped by your experience with international teamwork, you’ll be able to demonstrate systematic thinking in a different culture and language.

Employers are increasingly looking for workers who have cross-cultural experience in a wide range of fields. Studying abroad is worth it, especially if you want to up your career game.

Studying abroad can have a positive impact on your career in many different ways:

• Improved employability

• Networking opportunities

• International experience

• Increased cultural awareness

• Improved language skills

Studying abroad is worth it if you’re looking to invest in a big career. The experiences and knowledge you acquire can present valuable career benefits in the future. It’s one thing that makes you stand out in a competitive job market too. Check out the link here for more extensive information on how studying abroad can boost your career opportunities.

Personal Growth & Life Experience

Consciously and subconsciously, you are forced to break out of your bubble and leave that ‘sheep mentality’ behind with it.

You learn to deal with obstacles independently and in a foreign setting. You learn self-reliance; there’s no more playing the blame game. It’s all on you.

Studying abroad also helps you to accept the opinions of others and understand that there are different ways to achieve the same goal. It invites you to set an example and positively influence those around you.

If I didn’t leave my comfort zone in Melbourne, Australia, I’d still be running away from every problem thrown at me. I’d still be swimming in a seamlessly never-ending circle and drowning in my own anxiety.

Eventually, I learned that the opportunities and myriad of challenges thrown at you make you a better person because they give you a perspective on the big picture. ‘‘Things don’t happen to you; they happen for you’’. You stop asking yourself, ‘Why does everything always happen to me’ and realise that these things are happening so that you can learn from them.

This was a game-changer for me. It opened up my eyes and shifted my entire mindset. When I realised how big of an impact that shift had on me, I knew that studying abroad was worth it.

What is Studying Abroad?

Studying abroad refers to the experience of seeking education in a foreign country. It usually implies that you’ll enrol in a university or college overseas, where you’ll study for a certain period.

You could choose to spend anywhere from a semester to several years studying abroad, and there’s always the possibility of extending your visa too.

Studying and moving overseas presents you with the prospect of learning in a new environment. And in doing so, you will immerse yourself in a foreign culture and begin to understand the societal norms, values, traditions and language too.

Is studying abroad worth it? What will you gain? As you learn about this new destination, you’ll eventually gain a more expansive perspective on the world. Studying abroad will enable you to become more independent and will assist you in cultivating a network of both personal and professional connections around the globe.

The Benefits of Studying Abroad

There are myriad, mind-moving benefits of packing up your things, moving overseas and burying your head in the books. Some of these advantages include:

• Personal Growth: You’ll be exposed to new cultures, languages and environments that can help you to acquire fresh perspectives, unique skills and heightened self-awareness.

• Career Opportunities: You’ll level up your employability by fostering skills like cross-cultural communication, adaptability and language.

• Networking: You’ll cultivate connections with people from all over the world, both professionally and personally.

• Improved Education: You’ll have the chance to study at prestigious universities, learn from renowned professors, and experience new teaching methods.

• Cultural Immersion: You’ll be fully immersed in a new culture, learn a new language, and acquire a more profound understanding of the world.

Why Should You Study Abroad?

My best advice: kick your comfort zone in ye ol’ nutsack. Go global and spice up your life.

Ask yourself - Are you happy to stay in your hometown for the rest of your life? Hanging around the same people, doing the same things, going to the same university as everybody else, getting a job in that same city, copying life the exact same way as you’ve seen everyone else doing it?

Maybe you’re interested in moving abroad, more than the ‘studying’ side of it? Any significant decision inevitably evokes an innate fear of the unknown, and moving countries is most certainly one of the things that sit high up in those ranks.

FAQS

What are the disadvantages of studying abroad?

•       It can be expensive

•       You may feel homesick

•       There are language barriers

•       You may be discriminated

•       You may find it hard to get a job

•       You may feel a culture shock

Does studying abroad look good on a resume?

Studying abroad can benefit your career in many ways, including:

•       Cementing your language skills

•       Growing your personal and professional network

•       Giving you room for personal development

•       Developing a better understanding of other cultures

What are the pros and cons of studying abroad?

Pros of studying abroad

•       You meet new people

•       Your CV looks better

•       You learn a new language

Cons of studying abroad

•       You may feel homesick

•       You have to deal with language barriers

•       You may experience culture shock

Does studying abroad change you?

Studying abroad changes you for the better. It opens your eyes and expands your worldview. You gain a new understanding of cultures, experience new cuisine, and create lifelong friendships with people from around the world.

Relocating your ‘home’, domestically or abroad, is an all-encompassing experience that will not only take a severe emotional toll on you but essentially shift your entire preconceived idea of and version of reality.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of moving overseas, check out my post here on all the pros and cons of Living Abroad.

Is studying abroad worth it? Aside from the inundating inventory of cultural, environmental and academic aspects involved, studying abroad can essentially mould you as a person. It’s an all-encompassing experience that can shape you into the best version of yourself. And despite all the challenges, studying abroad is 100% worth it.